Page 30 of The Duke of Desire
I would be honored if you would “meet” me in the conservatory at eleven.
He hadn’t signed it, but he hadn’t needed to. She recognized his handwriting by now. It was elegant for a gentleman. Very attractive. Like him.
She was, however, curious why he’d put the word meet in quotes. Were they to meet or pretend to meet or something else? She was woefully unpracticed at this sort of thing.
Thankfully, her thoughts were interrupted by a conversation starting up on the settee to her left. Mrs. Pippin and Mrs. Chalmers were trying to talk quietly, but Ivy could hear every word, which probably didn’t bother them given their gossipy nature.
“Do you think her parents will allow him to court her now?” Mrs. Pippin asked, looking toward where Emmaline stood with Townsend on the opposite side of the room. “I can’t imagine they will, and I sincerely hope not. Even though he apologized to Harry, I can’t look past his behavior.”
“Nor can I,” Mrs. Chalmers said. “Really, Miss Forth-Hodges could do better. I still can’t fathom why she hasn’t married yet.”
“Do you suppose there’s something wrong with her?”
“Like what?” Mrs. Chalmers sounded breathless with anticipation.
Ivy rolled her eyes and resisted the urge to tell them to be quiet and mind their own business. Instead, she stood and moved away from the harpies. As she took up a new position near the windows, she saw Clare—West—come into the room. He scanned the space, his gaze drifting right over her.
Had he not seen her?
He walked to where Axbridge was chatting with Kirkland and stayed for a few minutes. She pulled her attention from him and caught sight of Emmaline and Townsend leaving the drawing room. Emmaline’s parents followed on their heels.
Ivy turned her head to see the reaction from the harpies. Their heads were bent together, and the way they kept flicking glances toward the doorway made the topic of their hushed conversation obvious.
Stifling a snort, Ivy turned her head back and immediately sucked in a breath. Standing a foot from her was Clare.West.She was surprised she could come up with one name, let alone two.
“I’ll only stay a minute,” he said just above a whisper. “You got my note?”
“Yes.” She pressed her lips together. “Why was the word ‘meet’ in quotes?”
He grinned and seemed as though he might chuckle, but didn’t. “We will meet, but if anyone sees us, we will play it off as a chance meeting and immediately go our separate ways.”
That made sense. “I see. You are alarmingly adept at this.”
He inclined his head. “Thank you.”
“I’m not entirely sure that’s a compliment,” she said with more than a touch of irony.
He couldn’t keep from chuckling this time, but it was low and soft, and she felt it more than heard it.
“Trust me.” His lips curved up into a half smile, and he walked away.
Trust him? She didn’t trust anyone, not even herself.
With a couple of hours to while away before eleven, Ivy took herself upstairs to the sitting room after seeing Lady Dunn situated at one of the gaming tables. Ivy tried to read the book West had sent her, but she kept having to reread entire passages because her mind had wandered.
To the conservatory. And what might happen.
Did she really think they would fall into an embrace? Distant memories assaulted her, but she kept them mostly at bay. Mostly. She allowed herself to think of that first time Peter had kissed her. The need she’d felt in her gut had been almost overpowering. She’d wanted him very badly. Enough to behave like an utter fool.
This is different,she told herself. She was no longer a green girl, and she’d already suffered the worst that could happen and resurrected herself. Granted, she had no desire to do it again, but knowing that she could save herself gave her courage. Maybe she did trust herself a little bit after all.
“Oh, Ivy!” Emmaline rushed into the sitting room, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I’m so glad I found you.”
Ivy closed the book and set it beside her on the settee. “Whatever’s the matter? Come sit.” She patted the cushion and pivoted to face her friend.
Emmaline sat down and wiped her hands over her face. “The most awful thing has happened. Townsend has asked to court me.”
Ivy didn’t understand. “How is that awful? I thought you liked him.” More than that, really.
