Page 73 of The Duke of Desire
Chapter Sixteen
As they crossed the Pulteney Bridge on their way back to George Street, Lady Dunn asked Ivy about West. “The duke seems interested in you.”
Ivy tensed. She couldn’t seem to think of him and not react. “Not particularly. He was just asking after my welfare. He called at the house to inquire.” Ivy wanted to share that bit since Lady Dunn would learn of his call when they arrived at home.
Her lips lifted into a satisfied smile. “Did he? He could’ve written a note or, more likely, he could’ve done nothing at all.”
“He was merely being polite.”
“I suppose. Despite his reputation, I’ve always found him most charming and kind.”
Ivy couldn’t argue with the viscountess’s assessment, but neither would she encourage this topic by agreeing.
As they turned up Milsom Street, Lady Dunn rested her head back against the squab. “Ah, but wouldn’t it be lovely if hewereinterested. You could have your own Cinderella story.” She turned her head to look at Ivy.
“I could never marry a duke, my lady.”
“I agree it would cause a stir, but it could happen.”
“Just because itcoulddoesn’t mean it will,” Ivy said. “Anyway, I’ve no wish to marry or to leave my employment.”
Lady Dunn patted Ivy’s knee. “It would be terrible to lose you, dear.”
The coach rounded the corner and quickly came to a stop in front of their town house. Ivy exhaled in relief.
The footman helped the viscountess down and then Ivy. As Lady Dunn climbed the steps, she told Ivy that she’d be going upstairs to rest. Ivy had expected as much. She would work on the stockings she was making for a few of the girls at the workhouse.
Hell.Thinking of the workhouse brought West to mind once more. She’d be glad when he left Bath, and she could no longer worry about running into him.
A short time later, Ivy sat in the drawing room with a tray of tea and cakes when the butler announced the arrival of Aquilla and Lucy.
Aquilla barely waited for the butler to leave before rushing to sit beside Ivy on the settee. “Are you all right?”
Ivy smiled at her friend’s concern. “Yes, thank you.”
Lucy loosened her bonnet before tugging it from her head and setting it on a table. She sat in a chair next to the settee. “You gave us quite a scare last night. I’ve never known you to swoon.”
“You’ve also never known me to waltz. What a dreadfully nauseating dance.”
Lucy laughed, bringing her hand to her mouth. “Only you could find a dance with the Duke of Desirenauseating.”
Aquilla joined her, and even Ivy had to admit it was amusing when she put it like that. She smiled but didn’t laugh along with them.
When they sobered, Aquilla smoothed her hand along the edge of the settee. “Whatever happened?”
Ivy waved her hand. “I became dizzy. Rather embarrassing, isn’t it?”
Her friends exchanged looks. They seemed…skeptical. “Is there something with Clare?” Lucy’s gaze penetrated her as her brow creased. “He seemed rather…intimate when he carried you into the retiring room.”
“Should he have let me wilt to the floor?” Ivy recalled coming back to consciousness in his arms. For a brief moment, she’d forgotten where she was. She’d wanted to curl her hands around his neck and press her mouth to his.
She wanted more than that—she wanted to relive that night.
“Of course not,” Lucy said. “I didn’t mean that. I meant after he laid you down. He seemed quite concerned.”
“Yes, and he even called on me today to inquire after my welfare. It happens that the Duke of Desire is well-mannered and considerate. Who knew?”
“Indeed?” Aquilla grinned. “Perhaps we should call him the Amiable Duke.”
