Page 13 of The Duke's Second Bride
“L-L-L—” Luke broke up, clearly frustrated.
“What’s that?” asked an older man who had joined the crowd, raising a hand to his ear in an exaggerated manner. “You’ll have to speak up, lad! My ears aren’t what-what-whatthey used to be.”
Christian felt his ire flame up at this stranger mocking his son’s stutter. Looking down, he saw Luke was similarly angered, his little face red as he clenched his fists.
“Luke,” the boy managed, though it clearly took great effort. “M-my name is Luke.”
“And what a lovely name it is,” one of the older women cooed. “How old are you?”
“He’s eleven,” Christian answered for his son, not wanting to see the boy struggle.
“You have quite a wonderful father, Lord Luke,” the woman continued, almost ignoring Christian to continue addressing the boy, though she did throw a cheeky grin up at Christian, as though they were in on a joke. “And very fortunate that he would bring you to such a marvelous event as the Aberton’s garden party. It is the social ticket of the season. Did you ask him to bring you, my lord?”
“I brought him because I wished to,” Christian said stiffly. “It is good for young children to socialize in a quiet,peacefulsetting.”
If the woman heard his subtle indication for the crowd to disperse and give them some room, she didn’t show it. “Yes. It is so true. My Margaret was similarly shy when she was just a girl; though, of course, she is now a most beautifully eloquent speaker, and reads often when we have guests. She can read in English, French, and even a little Italian. Perhaps sometime, you could call on us, Your Grace, and she could?—”
“Perhaps,” Christian said, not caring anymore if he sounded rude.
“And of course, you are welcome to bring Lord Luke with you! Tell me, child, are you much fond of reading?”
Luke nodded, not trying to speak.
“I’d dearly appreciate a response, my lord. It is unbecoming of a future duke to act so brutishly.”
“Now, that isenough, madam,” Christian gritted through his teeth.
But, before Christian could say any more, Luke turned tail and began to run.
“Oh! Why, I never—” the woman began, but Christian left before he could hear anything more.
Luke was fast, and at his small height was able to nimbly dart through the throngs of people crowding the garden, much more easily than any grown man.
Christian bit back a curse. After what he had said to the maid, and now he could barely keep an eye on his own son without losing him after five minutes? He was meant to protect the boy. If he left the garden party, who knew where he would run to next? What if he got hurt?
Pushing through another group of people, Christian was relieved to have Luke in his sights once more. And, to his surprise, Luke didn’t seem to be running away from the party at all.
Instead, he was running towards a woman. A woman who now seemed familiar: a woman with honey-blonde hair, a petite, curvy figure encased in an elegant pink daytime garden dress, and sharp, intelligent hazel eyes.
Lady Dunfair.
When Luke reached Lady Dunfair, he tugged on her sleeve, and she looked down. Though Lady Dunfair looked surprised to see Luke, she also did not seem displeased. Instead, a smile spread across her face, and she said something to him—what Christian assumed was a warm greeting.
“… good to see you again,” Christian overhead Lady Dunfair say as he came closer. “Are you here with your maid and footman again?”
“He’s here with me,” Christian said sharply as he reached them. Lady Dunfair looked up, her eyes flying open and then hardening as she took in his presence. “And it’s time we returned. Perhaps to a quieter part of the garden. Come along, Luke.”
He gripped his son’s hand, but Luke tugged it away. “No,” he said. “I-I’m not g-going.”
“Luke,” Christian said, struggling to keep any impatience from entering his voice. “I think we’ve bothered this lady quite enough.”
“It’s no bother,” Lady Dunfair said at once.
Christian glared at her; he couldn’t help it.
How dare she contradict him in front of his son? And indeed, how dare she continue to look so temptingly beautiful as she did so?
“He can stay if he wishes,” she added.
