Page 46 of A Viscount to Conspire (Sherton Sisters 2)

She shrugged even though he had already turned his eyes back to watching his horses and the traffic, knowing he could sense the movement. Hilaria didn’t really want to discuss her motivations at the moment.

Starting with a bit of a sigh, she began her search for guidance. “Speaking of dukes,” she said.

“We weren’t speaking of dukes. We were speaking of duchesses,” he interrupted.

Hilaria laughed. “Well you were speaking of duchesses, but I’d like to speak of dukes.” She was relieved when Eastwood laughed his delicious, low laugh before nodding in acceptance of her change of subject.

“I’m remarkably deflated to find that we’ve achieved our aims, but I’m not nearly as delighted as I expected to be.”

“I understand the sentiment,” he replied to her surprise before adding, “Perhaps it’s just that none have yet made a formal offer.”

Hilaria shrugged again. “Perhaps. But I don’t find myself with any degree of enthusiasm for any of the options. Shouldn’t I be wishing for one over the other to be the one to make an offer?”

“Perhaps your heart is more broad minded than you think,” he said with a teasing laugh.

“I just worry that my heart isn’t in it at all,” she murmured, not quite able to meet his gaze as his face filled with concern.

“I thought you seemed preoccupied, but I considered perhaps I was attributing my own feelings to you.”

Hilaria angled her head to better assess him, immediately meeting his eyes and feeling almost lost in them. Relieved when he had to return his intelligent gaze to the road, she continued to examine his profile.

“What is wrong with you that you thought might be wrong with me?”

He laughed at her awkward wording but then sighed. “Aren’t you pleased with the fact that our scheme worked exactly as we planned but then it turns out the results aren’t nearly as fulfilling as you had thought they would be?”

Hilaria’s laughter was stilted. That was exactly her problem. She laid her hand on his arm and was comforted when he transferred both reins to one hand and covered hers with his free one. It couldn’t last, of course, in London traffic, but she found it was decidedly pleasant for a brief moment.

She sighed and he nodded.

“Why do you suppose that is?” Hilaria asked, ignoring the plaintive tone in her voice.

“I was certain all I needed was a duke and I’d be as happy as a lark. Of course, he hasn’t actually offered for me, so perhaps that’s what is restraining my delight. But I would have expected just his attendance at our at home would be enough to transport me.” She sighed again. “Am I this disgruntled creature that cannot be pleased with anything?”

“Not at all,” Eastwood insisted with a scowl. “Do not disparage yourself. This was my idea and my fault.”

“This isn’t a case of fault, Eastwood, we just aren’t as happy with the results as we had anticipated. I agreed to your idea. I never expected your intentions to work, so I was completely wrong on that score, and while I wasn’t sure it would work for me, but I was fully convinced that if it did I would be thrilled.”

They had finally reached the park and Eastwood pulled up under a copse of trees.

“Let’s walk. I’ll be better able to give you my full attention.”

The flutter in her midsection brought a slight frown to her face, but Hilaria didn’t object when he came around and helped her down from the carriage. It seemed to take him a longer than necessary time to lower her to the ground. Hilaria couldn’t meet his eyes, as it felt like a swarm of butterflies had taken up residence in her midsection. She couldn’t decide if it was a wonderful sensation or not. Finally, he unhanded her. Tucking her hand into his elbow, they set off at a sedate pace.

---