Page 25 of The Duke of Desire
Lady Dunn sighed. “Ah well, I’m sure it will all come out. Will you help me up, dear? I’m quite fatigued.”
Ivy guided Lady Dunn to her feet and assisted her into the house. Once inside, the viscountess said she’d continue upstairs on her own if Ivy wished to visit the library. Feeling vaguely unsettled, Ivy decided a trip to the library would be the perfect antidote.
However, as soon as she arrived, she saw that she was not alone. Lady Pelham was there perusing one of the shelves. They exchanged pleasantries, and Ivy went to the opposite end of the room to look at the spines. She kept glancing over her shoulder and relaxed when Lady Pelham left.
Why was she so tense?
Because she was hoping Clare would show up again.
And why should she want that? He was a threat to her well-ordered life. She should want to stay as far away from him as possible. She plucked a book from the shelf without even reading the title and went to the alcove to wait. When she opened the book, she realized she’d picked up a treatise on cattle.
Laughter bubbled in her chest. She made a small sound. Then her lips curved up. Then the laughter did the unthinkable—it escaped.
“You’re laughing.”
Somehow, she hadn’t heard him come in.
She grinned at him. “Yes.”
His brow furrowed in utter confusion as he walked into the alcove and sat down across from her. “Why?”
“Because I picked up—” She held up the book and read the title page. “A General Treatise on Cattle, Sheep, and Swine.”
“I see. A riveting tale to be sure.”
She laughed even harder.
He settled back in the chair and stretched his legs out, crossing his ankles. “Well, this is quite lovely.”
That sobered her.
She took a deep breath and smoothed her hand over the back of her hair. “I’m glad I could amuse you.”
“I didn’t say I was amused. In fact, I was enchanted. I still am.”
And there he went again, flattering her. Flirting with her. Tempting her. “You really should stop that.”
“Yes, I should.” Except it sounded as though he didn’t agree. “My apologies, I didn’t mean to start that up again. I’m afraid your laughter took me spectacularly off guard.”
Spectacularly. As if it were the pinnacle of his day.
She set the book in her lap. “What happened with Townsend?”
He blew out a breath. “He lost his temper. To be fair, Pippin was taunting him, but everyone was doing it. Or so Axbridge told me since I arrived late. Townsend took it too seriously and became angry.” He arched his brows. “Quiteangry.”
This bothered Ivy, only because her friend was so enamored of him. “Do you think he’ll leave the party?”
“I don’t know. Wendover didn’t ask him to, and Pippin apologized.”
“I hope Townsend did the same.”
Clare frowned. “He didn’t. I don’t know him well, so maybe he’s just quick to anger, and he’ll make things right later.”
Ivy smoothed her fingertips over the book in her lap. “One can hope.” She looked over at him, assessing his appearance. He was handsome, even with bits of grass still clinging to his coat. “Are you all right?”
“Me?” His eyes widened for a brief second. “Oh, from the altercation. Yes. I’m quite well.”
They fell silent for a moment, and again Ivy felt the quiet sharply—like a drumbeat in her brain. The overwhelming emotions she’d experienced earlier during the tournament washed back over her.
