Page 69 of Courting Scandal With The Duke
He’d made a fool of himself. For the first time in his life, he had somehow let a woman get under his skin.
Luckily no damage was done. Heleaned back and gazed at the ceiling. Why on earth would he care? She was a heartless, reckless woman just like his stepmother, and so what if he was as horny as hell? There were plenty of other women who…
The front door opened. ‘Hello?’
He leaped to his feet and went to greet her.
She was breathless, laughing and talking at the same time. She looked adorably flustered. ‘Oh, youarestill here. I was quite certain you would have given up on me by now. Aunt Lenore insisted I drop her off at her friend’s house on my way, and then the friend came out to say hello and I simply had a terrible time getting away.’ She removed her hat and hung it on the hook by the door.
He looked outside. ‘Where is your carriage?’
‘I had the coachman drop me off outside the Andersons’. He will return for me at six.’
Four hours. It wasn’t as much time as he would have liked.
‘Won’t Mrs Anderson deny seeing you, should anyone ask?’ It was her excuse for going out without her aunt.
‘Why would anyone ask? And besides she is holding one of her ghastlymusicaleafternoons, budding artists playing their hearts out all over the house and gardens. It would be quite easy for a person to be missed in the crowd of hoi polloi in attendance.’
He could not keep from laughing. ‘Those “hoi polloi” consider themselves very well-educated connoisseurs of the art world.’
‘Pretentious blowhards. If they had actually met arealartist or musician, they would be a great deal humbler. And knowledgeable.’
‘As you have?’
‘Naturally. In Vienna, some of the finest composers and artists abounded. One could hardly move without falling over a Gerard or a Lawrence or a Beethoven.’
The names of the masters tripped off her tongue like a shopping list.
‘It does make the Andersons’ gathering, as you describe it, seem a little pedestrian. Come, let me offer you some refreshment. Tea? Or something more fortifying?’
‘Tea will be perfect.’ She frowned. ‘You have hired a cook?’
‘No. I can make tea. And buttered toast if you would care for some.’
‘Oh, my. What a surprise.’
‘Not really. All boys learn the art of survival at boarding school, be he earl or duke or common old mister.’
He went to the kitchen and put the kettle on the hob. She stood in the doorway watching him.
‘I would have thought a duke would have had tutors at home, rather than go to boarding school.’
‘I had those in the summer months. Mostly to keep me out of mischief. I think my great-uncle found me a bit of a handful.’
‘You spent summers withan elderly uncle?’
‘There wasn’t much choice. My mother died when I was five. And my father when I was twelve.’
‘Oh, poor you. My mother died when I was born, but Father is still going strong.’
He gave her a sharp look. ‘You sound as if you wish he wasn’t.’
Her eyes widened. ‘Did I? Oh, goodness. Of course I do not mean that. Not at all. I just wish he wasn’t quite so…taken up with his work.’
‘You miss him?’
‘No. I refuse to miss a man who doesn’t miss me.’ She waved a hand. ‘Enough of Father. I would think only of you.’
