Page 32 of The Duke of Desire
Chapter Seven
The morning sun tried to penetrate the clouds but was utterly incapable of casting more than a grayish light over the earth. West loitered in the hall as he watched the procession of house party attendees gather to attend church in the village of Wendover. He didn’t particularly want to go, but if Miss Breckenridge went, he’d make the effort.
She’d failed to meet him last night. He’d wandered the conservatory until nearly midnight before finally admitting defeat. Disgruntled and disappointed, he hadn’t slept well as he’d tried to puzzle why she hadn’t come.
All he could conclude was that she’d had second thoughts and surrendered to them. He only hoped their liaison—or whatever it was—wasn’t over before it had even begun.
A swish of silk caught his ear. He tipped his head up to look at the top of the staircase. The silk didn’t belong to Miss Breckenridge but to her employer. Miss Breckenridge was garbed in something far more durable—a beige muslin with a repeating pattern of flowers or something. It was hard to tell from this distance.
It seemed that she was going to church.
West went outside to where the vehicles were staged and saw that his host had also provided horses.
Wendover strode toward him. “Morning, Clare. Would you care for a mount, or will you ride in a coach?”
He wanted to ride in a very specific coach with a very specific person, but he knew a private conversation wouldn’t be possible. “I’ll ride.”
“Very good. I worried we might not have enough space, but we are down a person this morning, I’m afraid.” He lowered his voice and leaned in. “Townsend’s left.”
West was surprised to hear this. He’d noticed him with Miss Forth-Hodges in the drawing room last night. “What happened?”
“Not sure, but I daresay Mr. Forth-Hodges declined his suit.” He gave West a pointed look. “Can’t say that I blame the fellow given Townsend’s behavior yesterday. Still, it’s a damnable blight on the party. Lady Wendover isn’t pleased.”
“I can imagine,” West murmured, his gaze pinned on the doorway. He didn’t give a fig about what the countess was feeling. He was a bit sorry for Townsend, who’d seemed quite keen on Miss Forth-Hodges.
Miss Breckenridge exited the house on the heels of Lady Dunn. As they were ushered toward a carriage, Miss Breckenridge’s gaze drifted to West’s.
He smiled faintly but redirected his attention to Wendover lest the earl catch notice of anything. Which wasn’t likely. Wendover wasn’t particularly observant or aware. If he were, he’d realize that his affair with Lady Pelham wasn’t as covert as he believed.
After Miss Breckenridge and Lady Dunn were settled in their coach, West found a mount. He decided to ride out and take a circuitous path so as to enjoy the exercise.
By the time he rode up to the church, which was situated on a hillside outside the town, all the vehicles had been emptied, and it seemed as though everyone was inside. He dismounted and handed the reins to a footman, who took care of the horse while West walked toward the porch. He paused as he saw Miss Breckenridge standing just inside the open doorway.
Her gaze found his, and he glanced around to see who was about. Seeing no one, he quickened his pace, eager for even a moment alone with her.
He stopped in front of her. “Miss Breckenridge, you are lovelier than ever.”
She edged backward so that he could step just inside the covered porch. The porch was somewhat enclosed, sheltering them from both the exterior and interior. “Thank you. I want to apologize for last night. I was…detained by Miss Forth-Hodges. She’s, ah, she’s a friend.”
He hadn’t realized they were more than acquaintances. “I understand Townsend has left.”
Her eyes widened briefly. “Has he? That’s unfortunate. Miss Forth-Hodges did not come to church this morning. Nor did her mother.”
“House parties are never dull.”
She looked at him with a flash of resentment. “I hope you aren’t finding pleasure in another’s heartache.”
“Of course not. Is that what happened? The rumor is that Forth-Hodges declined Townsend’s suit.”
“Yes.” She turned her head for a quick moment to look toward the nave. “Emmaline was quite disappointed.” She fixed him with a steady stare. “I thought I might finish the walk up Wendover Hill later this afternoon while Lady Dunn is resting. I should like to see the view.”
If she were any other woman, West would know definitively she was inviting him to join her. However, Miss Breckenridge was not any other woman. She was utterly, deliciously unique. “I’m keen to see that as well. Perhaps I’ll take the same walk.”
“I hope you do,” she murmured before dropping her gaze from his and turning to enter the church.
And now he knew—she wanted him to join her. He stifled an eager smile.
As he watched her move inside, he considered leaving. He’d obtained what he’d come for—another meeting with Miss Breckenridge. However, if he left, he’d have to amuse himself for the next few hours. Why not spend at least part of that time in the same location as her? He could steal as many glances at her as he wanted, particularly if he sat in the back.
