Page 35 of The Duke's Stubborn Wallflower
“You seem rather preoccupied, Miss Jane — a penny for your thoughts?” Nigel canted his head towards her.
“Oh, it is nothing. Well… actually, it is rather silly.” Jane’s colour deepened.
“Well, then you are in good company.” Nigel only just resisted glancing at Olivia and his cousin as he said, “I have been very recently informed that I missed my calling a jester, so it is rather safe to assume that I would welcome even the silliest of thoughts.”
Jane hesitated a moment and then pointed towards the cloud on the horizon. “I was just thinking how remarkably like a bunny rabbit riding a horse that cloud looked.”
Nigel looked at the cloud in question. “You know, I think you may be right.”
“I thought it looked a bit like an upside-down squid eating a man,” Olivia said, blushing as Nigel and Jane looked at her. “Though I can also see what Jane has described.”
“It just looks like a cloud to me.” Lord Briston frowned. “But perhaps it is simply that the wind has moved it.”
Or that you are entirely devoid of imagination.Nigel stopped himself from saying this out loud. It would do no good, and the cloud had indeed moved as they were discussing it. To him, it looked more like a camel now.
The conversation dwindled. Nigel sipped more of the lemonade and sampled some of the cheese that had been packed.
Nigel let out an appreciative groan as he bit into the Stilton. “Would you like some Jane?”
“I am not particularly enamoured with strong cheese.” Jane blushed but helped herself to some of the cheddar. “It does not seem to agree with me.”
“Excellent. More for me then.” Nigel smiled kindly at her before adding happily, “I do love a good bit of Stilton.”
“Really?” Olivia helped herself to her own wedge of cheese.
“Just because your brother has the most unsophisticated cheese pallet known to man does not mean all of us have such unrefined tastes.” Nigel just stopped himself from gesturing wildly with his cheese knife and instead nodded his head towards Olivia. “I happen to care a great deal for cheese. Especially blue cheese.”
“Oh goodness, tell me you are not one of those ‘the smellier the better’ kind of gentleman.” Olivia shook her head.
“I am indeed. Assuming, of course, you are still talking about cheeses and not casting aspersions on my character?” Nigel raised an eyebrow at Olivia.
“I would never do such a thing.” Olivia winked at Jane though Nigel could tell by her theatrics she meant him to see it. “Of course, I was talking about cheese.”
Nigel opened his mouth to reply and spotted the brief look of irritation on his cousin’s face. It reminded him of the reason for this whole charade.There can be nothing between you and Olivia. Stop this.Though it was not as if he were trying to talk to Olivia.
She was just so easy to strike up a conversation with. And he found he quite enjoyed their back and forth.And it is not my fault my cousin seems to falter so at conversation.And I can hardly leave the two of them alone, that would be most improper.
In the distance, a clock chimed four o’clock. Nigel noticed Jane and Olivia exchange a look.
“I am afraid we must beg our leave of you,” Olivia said.
“Allow us to walk you back to the entrance.” Lord Briston leapt to his feet and in his haste, knocked over the lemonade.
Nigel let out a soft curse and quickly stood up, offering a hand to Olivia, who was nearest to the spilled lemonade. “My Lady.”
Olivia rolled her eyes but took his hand and allowed him to help her to her feet. Then Nigel turned and helped Jane to herfeet while his cousin dabbed at the cuffs of his trousers with a handkerchief.
“Did you both manage to escape unscathed?” Nigel asked. “I am sure my cousin would be happy to cover any damage it has caused.”
“Do not worry, your quick thinking spared us that fate.” Olivia’s eyes twinkled.
“Yes, thank you, Your Grace.” Jane brushed a piece of grass off her skit.
A servant appeared and began to clear away the picnic as Jane, Olivia, Nigel, and his cousin made their way back to the entrance.
“I had a lovely time,” Olivia said as they drew up to her carriage. “Thank you for your invitation.”
“It was my pleasure.” Nigel smiled at her and then at Jane. “We shall all have to do this again.”
