Page 19 of A Duke But No Gentleman
The marquess bowed.“The honor is all mine, my dear lady.”
Imogene reluctantly turned to his companion.He patiently waited for a formal introduction which was a blessing.She certainly did not wish to explain their first meeting to anyone.
Lady Charlotte was oblivious to undercurrents of tension.“And may I formally present Tristan Rooke, Duke of Blackbern.”
“Your Grace.”She curtsied, but a childish part of her wanted to stick her tongue out at him.
“Lady Imogene,” the duke drawled.“I trust your mother is in good health.”
“It is kind of you to inquire, Your Grace,” she said, before a mischievous thought occurred to her.“Perhaps you would prefer to express your compliments to the Duchess of Trevett.She insisted on joining me this afternoon.”
Blackbern’s eyes narrowed, knowing full well that her mother would not be pleased to see him at Lady Yaxley’s little gathering.“I look forward to improving upon my first impression.”
Imogene could not prevent herself from grinning.“It should not be difficult.”
Since her opinion of you is quite low.
The duke acknowledged her unspoken comment with a slight nod as though he had deduced her private thoughts.For Lady Charlotte’s and Lord Norgrave’s benefit, she added, “The duchess is very forgiving.”
Blackbern made a soft choking noise that he concealed behind his fist.“Pardon me.I will take your word for it, my lady.”
“Lady Imogene and Lady Charlotte, since Lady Yaxley has yet to begin, would you ladies be interested in stepping outdoors to enjoy the gardens?”Lord Norgrave asked, successfully distracting them.“The dust is irritating Blackbern’s lungs, and a little fresh air would benefit all of us.”
“So kind of you to think of my health,” muttered the duke.
Lord Norgrave gave him a guileless smile.“How could I not, when you are like a brother to me.”
Imogene was surprised when the marquess extended his arm to her.Lady Charlotte and the duke frowned at them.
“Will you do me the honor, Lady Imogene?”
Since walking with Lord Norgrave was the safer choice, she placed her hand on his bent arm.“It would be my pleasure, my lord.”
“Lady Charlotte,” the Duke of Blackbern said behind her.
***
Norgrave resisted the urge to glance back and smirk at Blackbern as he and Lady Imogene took the lead strolling through Lady Yaxley’s back gardens.It was one of the benefits of friendship that extended into boyhood.A lifetime of experiences had given him insight on how his friend thought.He had become adept at anticipating the other man’s thoughts and reactions, and he was quite certain the duke was gnashing his teeth over the fact that he had not invited the ladies to join them in the gardens.
After witnessing Blackbern’s flirtation with Lady Imogene, he had mentally readjusted his own plans for the lady.Either he had underestimated his friend’s interest in their beautiful prize or the lady was more intriguing than he had credited.
He was determined to find out.
“Imogene is such a lovely name.Is it a family name?”Norgrave asked.
“I was named after a great-grandmother on my father’s side of the family,” she said, averting her gaze in what he assumed was shyness.
How refreshing.
With her face bathed in sunlight, the lady in question was without a doubt a tribute to her sex.Delicate, flawless features, full unpainted lips, and expressive eyes that revealed intelligence as well as discomfort since she was clearly unused to spending her afternoons with potential suitors.Norgrave privately wondered if she would manage to retain that air of innocence after he had bedded her.
Nothing fired his blood more than taking something that did not belong to him.
“Tell me about yourself,” Lady Imogene invited.Her curiosity about him was a loving stroke to his pride and cock.
“Hmm… what could I share that would not make me sound like a braggart?”
“Your family name is unfamiliar to me.Where did you spend your boyhood?”she asked.
