Page 32 of A Virgin for the Cruel Duke

“I don’t envy him Lottie,” Herbert put in, sipping his own brandy. “I am familiar with her sharp tongue and I would not be wed to that.”

“The lady’s character aside,” Stephen said, quellingly for he did not hold with gossip about a lady in a gentleman’s club. “Seymour is a rival of mine in the House of Lords, and Rosenburg will know that. We never meet but we are at odds with each other on some topic or other. The bills I wish to support, he opposes and those I want to oppose, he is the greatest voice in favor of. I cannot put my mind at ease thatlinking to his power is not some deeper plan on the part of Rosenburg.”

“It likely did not harm his suit,” Perceval said thoughtfully, refilling his glass. “But is there any way to find out for sure?”

“Not many, the Barnes family doesn’t exactly socialize with us,” Herbert said.

“They didn’t,” Stephen said. “But times have changed and there’s no reason I should not invite my brother-in-law to visit the estate for a spot of hunting now that it is season for partridges.”

Herbert looked appalled but Perceval inclined his head. “A fine way to see if vigorous sport and much wine and brandy loosens his tongue. What of Seymour himself?”

“Seymour as well,” Stephen said decisively, putting his glass down with a thud. “We will hold a hunting party and invite them both. I should be able to see at the least by their behavior to each other if not in conversation with them directly whether there is something to be concerned about.”

As Perceval raised a cheer in support and Herbert started to complain about spending any time around Dudley Barnes, Stephen’s thoughts went to Elizabeth. What would she think of his plans?

Who would she side with if it came down to it?

CHAPTER 15

Elizabeth touched her hair lightly, checking that it was in place before knocking on the door of Stephen’s office. It was the first time she had come to him like this and she had wanted very badly to be dressed well and to make a good impression on him.

“Come,” he called.

She pushed the door open and got her first glimpse of his working environment, a large study piled with books. It wasn’t neat, but it was ordered chaos, books piled in small groups of similar topics, papers stacked on the large dark wood desk, shelves that burst with folios and newspapers alongside leatherbound books.

Stephen was bent over his desk and glanced up briefly, before seeing it was her and standing. “Elizabeth?”

She curtseyed, her cheeks flushing. She was wearing one of the light dresses she had received recently, a sprigged poplin that she knew she looked very well in, and she had picked out one of the jewelry pieces that he had purchased her in that first flurry of gifts, a brooch that was a dazzling sapphire, pinned to her bodice. “I wanted to speak with you, Stephen,” she said carefully. “I have a request.”

“Of course,” he said, businesslike, striding around his desk to take her hand and lead her to a chair. His eyes lit on the jewelry and she knew that he had noticed that she was wearing his gifts and that he was pleased if she could read him right. “What do you need. Is there a problem?”

“No, no, there is no problem. I simply wanted to take you on an outing, husband and wife. Do you have time to accompany me on a picnic, Your Grace?” Elizabeth smiled up at him and saw the pleased surprise in his face before he hid it again.

He was always so careful with what he showed the world.

“Do you have a time and day picked out?” he asked. “I shall clear my appointments for that day.”

“I would like to take the time tomorrow, if it would please you. It has been lovely weather lately, and the air is not yet so cold it will be unpleasant.”

“Of course,” he said immediately, barely bothering to look at his diary. “I shall be at your service, Your Grace. What time shall we set out?”

“I was thinking of leaving here at just before noon, and then walking to the hill that is half an hour from the house, the one that you have told me about. I shall have Mrs. Cope put a basket together.”

Elizabeth stood, ready to go and begin her preparations but found herself stopped with Stephen taking her hand and bringing it to his lips for a kiss that set her nerves aflame. His eyes were fixed on hers.

“I am looking forwards to being alone with you, wife.”

She blushed, feeling tingly all over in a deliciously tempting way. “You are incorrigible, husband.”

With his laughter in her ears, she left the office and headed to the kitchen to discuss her wishes with Mrs. Cope.

“Here, pin it down with this,” Stephen passed her a book and Elizabeth darted to put it over the last corner of the blanket. They had spent a pleasant time walking out to the hill and Stephen had even told her some stories about his experiences growing up in these surroundings, but now they were trying to put out all the things that had been so carefully packed for them the wind was trying to sabotage her plans.

“Ah, that’s done it,” she cried, sitting down on the picnic blanket in delight now it was no longer flapping or threatening to blow away. “Please, join me. I will dish up.”

Stephen laughed and flung himself down next to her, his long strong form drawing her attention away from the basket long enough that she had to clear her throat and grope for a distraction.

“How was your friend, the Marquess, the other day?” she asked, ducking her head to keep her eyes on what she was doing and away from how diverting Stephen was in his shirtsleeves.

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