Page 15 of The Duke of Desire
His arrogance should’ve annoyed her, but in this context, she found it appealing.Damn it.“I’d rather you didn’t.”
“If that’s your wish.”
It wasn’t, but she didn’t want Clare championing her either. Part of her—the part that she kept deeply hidden—was flattered that he’d speak on her behalf. However, the rest of her, which was the only part that mattered, was horrified that he’d draw attention to her like that. She embraced her situation on the fringe of Society.
A soft feminine giggle drifted back to them from just uphill. Ivy looked forward and saw that it was Lady Pelham. She walked closely next to Lord Wendover, fluttering her hand against his upper arm.
“The rumor is that they’re having an affair.” Clare’s deep voice came from nearby. He’d sidled next to her to impart that morsel.
“I hadn’t heard that.” Lady Dunn must not be aware, otherwise she would’ve said something. She’d appreciate Ivy sharing the gossip with her. “How do you know?” Ivy realized that could be interpreted in several ways. “I only meant, how do rumors like that even start?”
“Usually with a kernel of truth. Whether they are actually engaging in…activities, they clearly share an attraction. One only has to look at them.”
Ivy studied them for a moment. Lady Pelham had dropped her hand from Wendover’s arm, but she looked at him frequently, and he did the same to her. And they both smiled often. Lady Pelham laughed again, and her fingertips grazed his arm once more.
“I see what you mean,” Ivy said. “Don’t they realize?”
Clare lifted a shoulder. “I doubt it. If they did, they’d likely try to be more discreet.”
“Then how would you discern the liaison?”
“In some cases, you wouldn’t. I’m able to successfully hide affairs. It takes care and concern, but it can be done.” His frank discussion of his liaisons should be shocking or even offensive, but she found it refreshing.
“And yet it seems that all your affairs are well-known.”
His smile was enigmatic. “Notallof them.”
“Why let any of them become public knowledge?”
He shrugged. “Sometimes you can’t manage the secrecy, especially when the other person likes to talk.”
Ivy could see that being a problem, especially with him. She was aware of some women for whom being with Clare was an honor. This was such an odd conversation. “You’re incredibly forthright.”
He chuckled. “Am I offending you again? I shall write another note of apology.” He darted a glance toward her, and she realized she was enjoying the oddity, nonetheless. When was the last time she’d enjoyed a conversation with a gentleman? Answering that question would mean digging up the buried past.
“I appreciated your note.” She kept her voice soft, but loud enough for just him to hear. “You quoted Goldsmith.”
“You did say you likedShe Stoops to Conquer. I assumed you’d read some of his other works.”
“Indeed I have. And so have you.”
He laughed as he sent her an amused glance. “You sound a bit surprised.”
“Impressed, actually.” She expected some sort of flirtatious retort and when none was forthcoming, she had to accept that she was disappointed. Last night, she’d told him in very plain terms to leave her alone, and now she found herself craving the attention he’d been giving her.
Well then, she’d just push that craving into the darkness with the rest of them.
They walked in silence for a moment, and, for the first time, Ivy felt it rather keenly. She was used to quiet, and typically sought it out. But now, with him walking beside her, she longed for conversation. He talked to her as if she were interesting. No, it was even more basic than that. He treated her like a person instead of some inanimate object to be ignored until its use was required.
Oh, she was being ridiculous. Plenty of people treated her like a person. Lady Dunn. Lucy. Aquilla. Their other friend, Nora, who was also the Duchess of Kendal. Nora’s mother-in-law, Lady Satterfield.
The list stopped there. Perhaps “plenty” was an overstatement.
Ivy brought herself back to where she wanted to be—their conversation. “Do you think Lady Wendover is upset by their behavior?”
“I don’t know, but my suspicion is no. I think she has her eye on Lord Kirkland.”
“My goodness, youareobservant.” She wanted to hone her skills. “How do you know?”
