Page 28 of The Dark Duke's Virgin

“Ah, Frederick!” his grandmother cried when she saw him watching. “I still have it, do I not!”

“Very good, grandmother!”

“And you thought I was an old good-for-nothing crone. Admit it!” Her fingers moved effortlessly across the keys, and she winked at Isabella who giggled.

“I take back everything that I said…” He walked into the room, keeping a careful eye on Miss Dowding while careful not to get too close. “Although, forgive me for saying, but I was not aware that it was you who needed instruction?”

Miss Dowding’s back stiffened at the clear jibe shot in her direction, but she did not turn around, as if purposefully ignoring him.

“Just showing your daughter how it is done,” his grandmother chuckled. “But she was playing earlier, and I must say, she is quite the little musician.”

“Is that right?”

“I am, father!” Isabella agreed excitedly. “Caroline has taught me so much!”

“I am sure that she has done her best…” he trailed off as he reached the pianoforte, eyes drifting to Miss Dowding who was still not looking at him… even if he could see the way her jaw clenched at his comment.

“And…” His grandmother hit the final key and spun about in the chair. “There! I told you these old fingers still have some tricks.”

“Yay!” Isabella clapped.

“Well done,” George clapped also as he walked into the room. “I must say, Your Grace, you are an expert. Far better than your son…” A grin. “… at most things, I would imagine.”

“Ah, Lord Fernside, I see that you are even more charming than I remember…” She looked over the pianoforte at him. “And still as dashing too.”

George beamed at the compliment, standing taller and prouder. Growing up, he had always been a strapping athletic specimen, known for his broad shoulders, large chest, and flat stomach. And while his chest was still thick, and his shoulders were still wide, his stomach had grown considerably. Not that this took away from his good looks in any way.

“You make me blush,” George said with a wink. “I only wish your grandson was so complimentary.” He then cast his gaze further,spotting Miss Dowding finally. “And who is this…” George fixed a most charming smile on his face as he approached Miss Dowding. “His Grace was speaking of his new governess, but not once did he mention her beauty.”

Miss Dowding frowned at the comment, looking caught between shock and embarrassment.

“I am the Earl of Fernside…” He reached out for Miss Dowding’s hand, and she offered it as if on instinct. “… and you are?”

“The Honorable Caroline Dowding,” she said with tight lips, trying to keep herself from smiling. “A pleasure.”

“Ah, Miss Dowding.” George’s eyes flashed as he kissed the back of her hand. “Her Grace must be furious with you.”

Miss Dowding frowned. “Why would she be furious?”

“Well to put it simply…” The look he fixed her with was wicked. “… with you here, she is no longer the most beautiful woman in the manor. A close second, sure…” His eyes flashed again. “… but I am afraid that you have her beat.”

“Oh, stop it, Lord Fernside!” Frederick’s grandmother clucked. “You are embarrassing the poor girl.”

“I did not mean to! And besides, the truth should not embarrass but be delighted in. Would you not agree, Miss Dowding?” He was still holding her hand, still looking into her eyes, stillflirting with her in a way that Frederick found himself not at all enjoying.

He should not have cared. If anything, he should have been happy for it. At least, if George took Miss Dowding’s fancy, it might distract him from his own wandering fantasies about the woman. What was more, it would nip in the bud any more comments about marriage and what have you.

But Frederick could not ignore the way his stomach clenched at the sight of Miss Dowding’s flushed cheeks. He told himself he did not like her in the least. That she was wrong for him and his daughter in every way imaginable. Yet as it stood, he had to resist the urge to grab his friend by the scruff of the neck and throw him from the room.

“Isabella!” Frederick barked, cutting through the tension. “Why is it that I return home to find my grandmother playing in your stead?”

“I was doing so earlier,” Isabella protested. “But grandmother wished to have a try. She told me that Caroline has been teaching her also and wanted to show off…” She nudged his grandmother.

“Is that right, grandmother?”

His grandmother shrugged. “She has been showing me a few things. She is an excellent musician.”

Frederick snorted. “And if I wished for my daughter to join the theatre, I would be so very happy to hear it.” He could not help but smile at the glare that Miss Dowding held him in.

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