Page 22 of The Duke of Desire
Dear Miss Breckenridge,
I hope you won’t find me too forward, but I know how you enjoy reading, and I wondered if you’d had occasion to enjoy this poem. It is my particular favorite, and I’ve read it dozens, if not hundreds, of times.
Then he’d quoted Goldsmith again:
“The first time I read an excellent book, it is to me just as if I had gained a new friend. When I read a book over I have perused before, it resembles the meeting with an old one.”
Yours,
Clare
“Thank you,” she said quietly, still a bit bewildered at his thoughtfulness. “Is it your copy?”
“Yes.”
She inclined her head. “I’ll return it when I’m finished.”
“Keep it. I have two more.”
“You have three copies?”
He smiled. “I told you it’s my favorite. I keep one in London and one at Stour’s Edge, and the one I gave you is the one I keep with me.”
He traveled with his favorite book. Inside, she swooned. How was it possible that a reprobate like Clare could be charming, considerate,andwell-read?
“Are you trying to seduce me?” The question surprised her, but she didn’t regret asking it.
He unfolded his arms and pushed away from the wall. “No. Iwas. Before.”
She’d known that, but hearing him admit it so plainly sent a shiver along her spine. “Then why send me an apology and a book?”
“Because I like you?” He edged closer to her. “Has no man ever been kind to you, Miss Breckenridge?”
Her breath caught. “Not like this.”
“Then it is my privilege.”
“Stop it,” she said. “Stop being so…” Wonderful? Lovely? Nice? All of those things and more. It was difficult to dislike him. She realized she didn’t, actually. Not that it changed anything. “Never mind. Thank you again for the book. I shall cherish it.”
Cherish? She gritted her teeth.
“Excellent.” He sounded quite matter-of-fact, as if this conversation hadn’t done anything to his insides like it had to hers. “Are you going down now, or shall I?”
She belatedly recalled the bottle of tonic in her hands, and hoped that Lady Dunn wouldn’t be upset at her delay. Of course she wouldn’t. “I’ll go. I need to take this to Lady Dunn.”
She turned and hurried downstairs before she thought of another reason to remain in his presence. Once outside, she went directly to Lady Dunn, who thanked her for the tonic.
Ivy returned to her blanket just as Townsend was standing up.
“Time for me to report to the court,” he said. “Until later, my dear.” He took Emmaline’s hand and pressed a kiss to the back.
Emmaline watched him go, a beatific smile lighting her face. My goodness, she was quite over the moon.
Ivy sat down and picked through the basket for something to eat. She found a meat pie and a wedge of cheese. As she nibbled, she let her gaze drift back toward the house. Clare stepped onto the patio, and she turned her head around quickly lest he see that she’d been watching for him.
Emmaline exhaled. “Isn’t he lovely?” It wasn’t so much a question as a wistful declaration.
“Things seem to be progressing rather quickly between the two of you.” Ivy was careful to keep her tone free of disgust. It was difficult to support what was happening to Emmaline when it so closely mirrored what had happened to Ivy ten years ago. She would be a terrible friend if she didn’t voice her concern. “I do hope you’re being cautious.”
