Page 61 of Never Dare a Duke
Elizabeth covered her mouth. “Oh, I feel so foolish. I was positive that you…that he…that you both might have had feelings for each other.”
Abigail was surprised to feel a tension that was almost pain at the thought of a future that could never be. “Friendship only, and I already treasure that. But I do not understand why he finds it so difficult to relax around others.”
“You really do not know, do you?” Elizabeth said hesitantly. “But then you and I were far too young to remember.”
Abigail felt as if the world suddenly grew very still, and even her breathing would disturb too much. “Remember what?” she asked carefully.
“The terrible tragedy that Chris was a part of when he was a young man.” Elizabeth’s voice was soft and sad. “It is in the past, of course, and the two men are now friends.”
“When you first said ‘tragedy,’ I thought someone must have died.” Abigail put a hand to her throat as if relieved.
“Oh, no, thankfully not. But it changed Chris forever.”
“Elizabeth?” called a man’s voice.
The girl gasped. “Oh, it is my brother. Please do not tell him I was speaking of him!”
Abigail could only nod, even as her frustration mounted. She’d been so close. It sounded as if he’d been involved in an illegal duel!
“Miss Shaw,” Christopher said, nodding to her. “Elizabeth, you look to be stealing her away from the other guests with a secret purpose.”
“Perhaps ghost hunting?” Elizabeth said, then laughed at his skeptical expression. “Excuse me, I will leave you to the stealing away of our female guests.”
She walked away, a spring of purpose in her step.
Abigail stopped at the edge of the balustrade and leaned against it, looking out into the cool darkness. “It feels like rain.”
“Do not start with a discussion on the weather,” he said impassively. “It is beneath you.”
“What else do you want me to discuss? How even though we are at odds with one another, I find you still using me to keep the other women at bay?”
His smile was grim. “You are useful that way.”
She gave a heavy sigh.
“And useful in other ways that I keep trying to forget,” he said in a lower voice.
His sleeve brushed hers. He stood too close, but she didn’t stop him.
“Useful,” she murmured. “How romantic a notion.”
“Surely I am useful to you,” he said. “At least that’s what you’ve told me.”
“So we are using each other.”
“Then again I must ask you to please not include my sister in this…relationship between us. She will only be hurt when I do not pursue you in marriage.”
Abigail felt a pang of sorrow and worried that Elizabeth would not be the only one to be hurt. “As I’ve already told you, your sister is my hostess. I am doing my best to keep her at a distance, but she is so friendly.”
“I have said my piece.”
He linked his hands behind his back as he looked out on the land that was his.
She finally said, “You might want to be here in the morning to see me defeat all your guests in archery.”
“And why would I wish to do that when I have business in Cambridge?” He bent his head. “Of course I imagine your form is rather fine as you compete.”
But his teasing almost seemed by rote, as if he sensed more to her words. Did they understand each other so well?
