Page 42 of The Duke's Spinster Bride
“Yes, I would never have guessed old Dorson would be the first of us to get married.” Lord Elington stroked his chin, his words breaking Andrea out of her thoughts and jerking her into the present.
“Who did you think would be first? I did not get the impression that Fre- Duke Caverton was particularly inclined to marriage before now.” Andrea caught herself on the familiar reference and hastily looked away from Lord Elington.
He shrugged. “I thought we would forever be the three bachelors, yet here I am, the last man standing. Though I suspect Grandmama means to put an end to that.”
Lord Elington’s lip curled and he shook his head making general noises of discontent.
Andrea found herself nodding, thinking of the pleased expression on the Dowager Duchess’s face when she had discovered Andrea and Frederick.Do not think about what you were doing.“She does have a tendency to orchestrate such things.”
Andrea was grateful that her voice sounded nonchalant and not flustered.
Lord Elington gave her a sidelong glance. “I am surprised she did not have you and Felty married before now.”
Andrea pursed her lips and shrugged. “She never seemed to want to push me into such an arrangement. I think she rather liked having a female protégé who might follow in her rather more eccentric footsteps.”
“Does this mean I should fear the pair of you?” he made a warding off gesture with his fingers in the sign of a cross. “I shall not be tricked into a marriage.”
Andrea laughed and rolled her eyes. “Hardly. I have no wish to play the matchmaker.”
“That is a relief. Though if you have any single friends you wish to introduce me to…” He trailed off, waggling his eyebrows in a suggestive manner.
She crossed her arms. “And why would I do that, when you have just told me you have no wish to marry?”
“Perhaps your introduction will help me find the right woman.” He grinned at her.
Andrea laughed. “I think I will leave that sort of thing to the Dowager Duchess.”
“Probably for the best.” Lord Elington agreed.
They were still walking through the gardens, the sound of birdsong occasionally drifting towards them on the breeze. Before Andrea could say another thing, a voice rang out.
“Elington! You devil! I was waiting at the station for half an hour.” Frederick appeared and bounded towards them, smacking his cousin affectionately as he drew level with them.
Andrea’s heart skittered as his cologne wafted across the breeze, and she forced herself not to look away. Her mind went irritatingly blank, and she only just managed not to frown.
“I caught an earlier train.” Lord Elington threw an arm around Frederick. “You know how I cannot abide waiting, and the station is truly one of the least pleasant in the country.”
“Then you will be pleased to know that the Duchess and I have great plans for it.” Frederick looked at Andrea, the pride in his eyes sent a shiver down her spine and she looked away. “Andr- The Duchess has some truly terrific ideas, especially when it comes to modernisation.”
“His Grace is being overly generous.” Andrea mumbled, her cheeks flushing scarlet. “I have made a few suggestions, that’s all.”
She wished she could bring herself to look at Frederick, but every time she did, her legs turned to jelly.What is wrong with me?She tugged at the sleeve of her dress.
“You are being far too modest. Did you see the renovations on the Cotterell farm on your way here?” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Frederick gesture over his shoulder.
Lord Elington’s eyes widened. “That was your doing? How on Earth did you convince them to agree? Felty has been trying for years.”
Andrea jerked her head upwards, eyes finding Frederick’s. “Is that why you asked me to speak to them?”
Frederick nodded. “I did tell you at the time that I suspected you would have a better chance getting through to them than me.”
“I thought… Well…” Andrea chewed on her lip.
She had thought he had been making fun of her when he had suggested it. When she had met with the Cotterells and saw how combative Mr. Cotterell was, she had been sure Frederick was trying to set her up to fail.Apparently not.
“So how did you do it?” Lord Elington asked, leaning towards her.
Andrea shrugged, focusing on Lord Elington seemed to help her mind remain clear and not befuddled. “I talked to his wife. She helped me understand what it was that her husband needed to hear and together, well, we made a rather convincing case.”
