Page 70 of A Duke But No Gentleman
I love you.
“If you do not marry him, perhaps I will,” Verity had said as she tried on the garnet and gold ring.“Blackbern is handsome and generous… not to mention, he has excellent taste.”
Imogene had written him a note after the arrival of each gift, asking him to call on her in person, but her requests were ignored.She was running out of time.
Imogene knew what Tristan wanted.If she expected him to beg, she would continue to wait in vain.A gentleman—even one in love—had his pride.So with Lady Ludsthorpe’s assistance, she had left the sanctuary of her home and arrived at the duke’s private residence.
His butler, McKee, looked almost relieved to see her.She stepped into the front hall, and was surprised when the countess did not follow.
“I have done my part in bringing you here.I believe you and Tristan can handle the rest,” Lady Ludsthorpe said, raising her hand in farewell.“With the ball tomorrow, I have a dozen tasks to accomplish this afternoon.”
That fact alone made her gesture even more priceless.“Aunt Ruth?”
She halted as her thoughtful gaze sharpened with expectation.“Yes, dear.”
“Thank you,” Imogene said.
The countess’s expression brightened.“You will be a nice addition to our family, Imogene.If Tristan is too busy to escort you back to the house, then send one of his servants to fetch our coachman.I promised your mother and father that I would look after you, and I will not hear of you hiring a hackney coach.Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, madam,” Imogene said, still smiling even after the butler had shut the front door.
“McKee, where will I find the duke?”
“I believe His Grace is on the terrace.He was practicing with his sword, and asked not to be disturbed.”
She did not have to guess why Tristan was honing his sword skills.Clearly, he had time both to court her and plot his revenge against Norgrave.“Oh, I see.”Imogene bit her lower lip in consternation.“He is not expecting me.How angry do you think he will be if I interrupt his training?”
The butler shook his head.“His Grace has a standing order with the staff that you are allowed entry at any hour.”
Imogene was stunned by McKee’s revelation.Tristan valued his privacy.Before her, he had never brought one of his lovers to his town house.“When did he issue this order?”
“Well, I cannot recall the precise date, my lady.”He gave her an apologetic glance.“However, I believe His Grace issued the order after your first visit.”
So much had transpired since that night.
For a few minutes, Imogene could not speak because she feared she would break down in tears.For a man who rarely trusted anyone, he had opened his private house wholly to her.Although she had been unaware of this, his order revealed more about his feelings than he had been willing to admit at the time.
“C-could you show me the quickest way to the back terrace, McKee?”
Chapter Twenty-one
Alone, Tristan silently advanced and retired, allowing his foil to be his voice as he thrust and parried with his imaginary opponent.He had discarded his coat and waistcoat more than an hour ago, and his linen shirt clung to him like a second skin.His legs and arms moved as gracefully as a dancer’s, his muscles attuned to the lethal weapon in his hand.If Norgrave had been foolish enough to step in front of him, Tristan would have thrust the point of his sword into the man’s heart without hesitation.
“Tristan?”
For the first time, his foot shifted sideways and his step faltered.He straightened, allowing the hilt of his foil to rest against his hip.“Imogene.”He said her name with reverence.She had come to him.Granted, he had not given her much choice since he had not replied to any of her invitations to visit her.He had promised to keep his distance, and it had been difficult to stay away.
He nodded to McKee, and the servant silently disappeared into the house.As he stared at her, his gaze taking in every detail, his initial joy cooled as he realized that she might have come for less pleasant reasons.“You look well,” he said, stepping closer.
“You.”She gestured at the forgotten foil in his hands.“The manner in which you moved.You looked beautiful and deadly.”
“And you, my lady, are simply beautiful,” he said.Tristan longed to take her into his arms and kiss her senseless, but he feared that she might flinch from his touch.“I have missed you.”
“Did you?Then why did you not respond to any of my requests?”she demanded, and he could sense that she had been hurt by his actions.
“I did not ignore your invitations out of indifference or to punish you,” he said, his voice sharper with frustration.“I told you that I would stay away so I would not say something stupid like—”
“Like what?”
