Page 13 of Never Dare a Duke
“Or perhaps he didn’t know what to say to you.”
Gwen actually blushed before clearing her throat. “So where did you disappear to this afternoon?”
“I already told you,” Abigail said, turning away to look at her gowns again.
“To explore the conservatory, I know. Then why did I see the duke reappear just after you did?”
Abigail turned back to face her friend and could not stop the grin that overtook her face. “I encountered the duke—in a rather unusual way. He caught me eavesdropping on him.”
Gwen gave a shocked gasp, followed by an admiring grin of her own. “You deliberately followed him!”
“No, I stumbled on his mother and him by accident. And I didn’t hear much, only that the duchess says he has to stop making up for the past.”
“Ooh!” Gwen said, coming even closer. “And then they caught you!”
“His mother didn’t. He let her leave before he pulled me out of hiding.”
“He laid his hands on you!”
“By your excitement, I can’t help wondering if you wish you were I,” Abigail said hesitantly.
“No, no, I told you, I have no interest. But the duke is so very careful with women. You can imagine what one might do to marry him.”
“I’m not surprised. But he seemed to believe my apology.” Abigail found herself far too embarrassed to confess she’d had foolish, romantic thoughts about the duke. “I think I’ve made things much harder on myself.”
“He will be suspicious,” Gwen said in agreement, but she spoke almost absently.
“But I will manage it.”
Gwen said nothing as a frown narrowed her eyes.
“Is something wrong?” Abigail asked.
“Talking about the women who’d do anything to marry a duke has me thinking. Lady Theodosia and Lady May are the perfect candidates for a duchess.”
“Not yourself?” Abigail said with a grin.
Gwen only waved her words away, still without a smile. “But there is one other woman whom I am surprised is not here—at least if her own subtle boasts can be believed.”
“Who is that?” Abigail asked with interest.
“Madeleine Preston. She is a gentleman’s daughter, with a family fortune and lands that are quite impressive. Her brother went to school with the duke, although we don’t often see him in Society since he prefers the family home in Scotland. But Miss Preston is frequently seen dancing with His Grace. She has made it clear to several of her friends—who toldme—that the duke is interested in her.”
“But she’s not here, so his mother must not know. She is a lead I will follow when I return to London.”
“You are so confident, Abby,” Gwen said fondly, “even though that has not always stood you in good stead.”
Abigail gave her friend a little push, and Gwen pretended to stagger.
“Don’t say that. There is too much at stake. Now help me choose a gown!”
After a lovely dinner, where Abigail sat between brooding Lord Swarthbeck and shy Mr. Tilden, the ladies retired to the drawing room, leaving the men to their drink and stories. How she wished she could eavesdrop on that! But she sensed that His Grace was just as reserved with men as he was with women. Something had made him that way, but she couldn’t imagine what.
Though Abigail said little to the women, she did not feel excluded, and even enjoyed their gossip about who was engaged to whom. At last the men rejoined them. She felt an expectancy in the air. The single ladies and gentlemen confronted each other as if occupying a battlefield rather than a sedate drawing room.
She was standing with Gwen when, to her surprise, the duke approached them. Abigail wasn’t certain how she was supposed to feel as he bore down on them, all dark shadows and unreadable eyes. Had he told his family about her audacity? Would he even now scold Gwen for bringing her?
She and Gwen curtsied as he gave them a short bow. Abigail was strangely unnerved and told herself it was because she was keeping a secret from him. Before their encounter this afternoon, she’d thought him a reserved man who would be appalled and angered if he knew what was going on. To counter that, she’d been telling herself that he was a public person and that the public had the right to know, especially if a crime had been committed.
