Page 69 of Her Duke's Second Chance

“Lady Stark, is it not a bit early for a picnic?”

The marchioness laughed. “Indeed, it is, but my Ariana wanted to show our cousins the ducks she loves to feed.”

She indicated towards two ladies who sat haughtily upon one side of a blanket that had been spread out to protect them from the wet grass.

“Lady Miriam and Lady Samantha are relatives on my mother’s side.” Lady Stark looked at the duke, “I do believe you are familiar?”

Robert smiled. “Yes. We grew up in the same neighborhood. Lady Miriam, Lady Samantha, it is good to see you.”

They both got to their feet, smiling. “Robert! Why stand on such formality? Are we not friends?” Lady Samantha exclaimed.

She reached out to embrace him, but he pulled back, holding her at arm’s length.

“This is my wife, the Duchess of Emberford. I do not believe you have met,” he said, putting an arm around Georgiana’s waist and squeezing.

Georgiana raised an eyebrow, but he simply smiled at her.

“Hmm.” Lady Samantha came up to her, examining her closely as she looked her up and down. “Charmed, I am sure,” she said snootily, not sounding the least bit enamored of Georgiana.

Georgiana grinned. “I am always pleased to meet Robert’s old friends.”

Lady Samantha pinched her face together, as though she had smelled something unpleasant.

Lady Miriam pulled her away. “Yes, likewise. You are a lucky lady to have made such a catch. You must be extremely happy.”

Georgiana did not know what to say to that.

“Yes, she is,” Selina cut in. “If you will excuse us, we must be going.”

She tugged at Georgiana to get moving and Robert followed behind, not giving his friends so much as a backward glance.

“It seems you are a… popular man. Who knew?” Georgiana said to him.

He snorted self-deprecatingly. “Hardly. It is my title that is popular. The man behind the title is of little interest to anyone.”

Georgiana looked up at him in a whole new light.

Robert’s arm did not leave her waist for the duration of their walk home.

CHAPTER 23

“Oh, you are back!” Daisy said excitedly as she greeted them in the corridor. “I had Mrs. Green keep the food warm for you. I am sure you have worked up quite an appetite.”

“It has been rather an eventful morning, full of obstacles, one might say,” Robert murmured.

Daisy’s brow furrowed in puzzlement. “What do you mean by that?”

Robert shook his head, waving a hand dismissively. “Nothing. Nothing at all. You are right, Lady Daisy, we are quite hungry. Please, lead the way.”

Daisy flicked Georgiana an enquiring glance and Georgiana nodded, urging her to do as Robert asked.

Daisy whirled around and began to walk towards the dining hall.

“You have received some letters. I put them by your plate, Your Grace,” she said over her shoulder.

“Thank you,” Robert replied, his gaze resting on Georgiana.

She continued to walk quietly, still trying to grasp everything that had transpired.

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