Page 60 of The Duke of Seduction
Chapter 11
Beasts in the field fall at her feet.
The stones of mountains, from their peak.
Stars from heaven, like rain to sea.
All wish to be near; close to she.
-FromAn Ode to Miss Anne Berwick
by The Duke of Seduction
The day wentby so quickly that Lavinia hardly knew where it went. She was particularly grateful to Sarah for bringing her food at the sand pit, for she’d been so wrapped up in talking to people about the geology of the place, she hadn’t taken time to eat.
When things had finally begun to calm down, she’d been attended upon by three different gentlemen, most notably Sir Martin, who’d found her geology discussions enlightening. It was a shame her mother wasn’t here. The countess would be delighted with the attention Lavinia was receiving.
Lavinia, on the other hand, found herself looking for just one man—the one who was falsely courting her and probably wouldn’t need to do so any longer. She saw him dodge into a stand of trees away from the picnic area.
Glancing toward where the picnic was being cleaned up, she stole toward the trees. A light breeze stirred her skirts as she stepped behind the shoulder-high hedgerow that stood between the grassy expanse and the copse.
“Beck?”
He stepped from behind a tree. “Are you following me?” The question was light, but there was a crease in his brow—she could see because she’d donned her spectacles, something she’d done throughout the day as needed. Indeed, she’d worn them in front of Sir Martin, and he’d said they made her look brilliant.
“I saw you come into the trees, and here I am, so I suppose Iamfollowing you. I wanted to thank you for arranging today.”
He leaned against the tree he’d stepped around. “You’re wearing your glasses.”
She adjusted them on her face unnecessarily. “Yes.”
“I like it when you wear them.” He glanced toward the picnic area, which was shielded by the hedgerow. “I didn’t do anything to arrange today—that was entirely Felix’s management.”
“But Felix wouldn’t have done it if you hadn’t asked.”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “True. It seemed a grand success for you. I’m so pleased.”
The warmth in his tone showed her how much he meant it. “Yes, everyone was quite interested in geology. I can hardly wait to tell my mother.”
Beck laughed. “Will she believe you?”
Lavinia shrugged. “Probably not.”
“Aside from that, I meant success in your marital quest. You seem to have several suitors who may be serious—or have I read that wrong?”
She reached for the tree next to her and ran her gloved hand over the bark. “No, you are correct. Sir Martin in particular seems as though he’ll come up to snuff. He plans to call on me.”
Beck pushed away from the tree and took a step toward her, decreasing the distance between them. “Will that make you happy?”
Happy. She wasn’t sure if that was the right word. “It won’t make meunhappy. I like Sir Martin. He’s certainly not dull to talk to, provided I can keep him focused on science instead of horses.”
“Do you think you’ll be able to keep him from speaking of horses for an entire marriage?” Beck asked.
“Of course not, but I can put up with that.”
“That’s not a particularly favorable perspective of your marital future with him.”
No, it wasn’t, but neither was it terrible. So she didn’t love Sir Martin, but she was learning that love was perhaps a luxury she couldn’t afford. Better to wed someone she liked well enough than allow her parents to manipulate her into a union with someone she detested. “I’m running out of time, as you know, and Sir Martin is my best option at present.”
