Page 47 of Courting Scandal With The Duke
He opened his mouth then closed it again.
How odd when he usually said whatever was on his mind. ‘You do not agree?’
A wry smile twisted his lips. ‘I was going to say they are not nigh as beautiful as you, but then I prefer hearty roses to these pallid, short-livedmonocotyledons.’
The breath left her body in a rush. Her mind whirled, leaving her speechless. ‘I cannot tell if that is a compliment or not,’ she said, finally, laughing lightly.
He gave her a quizzical look. ‘I believe I was stating a fact.’
Her heart gave an odd little tumble, which was not what she wanted. The man was practically engaged. ‘Well, it seems I must leave beauty behind and return to my aunt.’
‘About this list we discussed.’
‘Ah, yes.’ Her ticket to freedom. ‘Do you have it?’
‘I have decided against the wisdom of providing such a list.’
‘Why?’
‘Because upon reflection, anyone with a smidgeon of common sense would not commit the sort of social solecism that would be on such a list, and I do not think you are a lackwit.’
She raised an eyebrow. ‘Another compliment? You are overflowing with them today.’
A brief smile touched his lips. How could Isabelle think him only tolerably handsome when faced with such a boyishly charming smile, however fleeting? ‘I cannot imagine you intend to turn to a life of crime, or to start practising blood sports in public, or to commit adultery with a married man.’
‘Unlikely.’ She huffed out a breath at his examples. ‘No, those are not things I might mistakenly do.’
‘You see?’
‘Well, it seems I am safe, then. I shall enjoy all that London has to offer with impunity.’
His famous frowned returned. She found it intriguing rather than frightening. Shewanted to know what he was thinking. Had he realised he had just given her a carte blanche that was not at all a good idea?
On the other hand, he had no idea why she had requested the list in the first place. And since speaking with him about it, she had discovered one or two very wicked things a lady might do to ruin her reputation, which happily did not involve the ruin of anyone else.
He pursed his lips. ‘I wanted to discuss this further, but unfortunately I have another of these dashed affairs to attend.’
‘Two in one afternoon. Your secretary is keeping you busy.’
‘Unfortunately, he had accepted the other before I received the invitation to this one.’
They walked along the path to the gate.
‘You could have cancelled the first one, I assume?’
‘It was from an old friend of my mother’s. She is bringing her daughter out this Season and I had promised I would attend.’
How interesting to learn know he would not break a promise for convenience’s sake.
He really was a stickler for the rules and, annoyingly, she thought better of him because of it.
They parted at the French doors into the house and he went to take his leave of his hostess.
Barbara found her aunt in conversation with a couple of her friends in an antechamber adjoining the drawing room.
‘Are you ready to depart, dear?’ her aunt asked.
‘I am.’
