Page 24 of The Duke Who Loved Me (The Duke's Estates 1)

The whole group turned to look at him. Cecelia met his blue eyes and felt a shivery thrill. James was obviously jealous.

“So many of them are,” he added defensively. He leaned toward Cecelia. “Would you care to take a turn about the room?”

“To join the debate overGrund und Erfahrung?” she asked him.

“I don’t believe you know what that means. Anymore than I do.”

“Well, it translates as reason and experience, but that is all I know,” Cecelia admitted. “Perhaps you wish to meet some of the other guests? Who are better informed?”

“I do not. I came to see you.” James stood. He held out his arm.

Very aware of the interested gazes of her four friends, Cecelia rose and took it. He led her toward the least populated corner of the large room. “You don’t think it’s rude not to join the discussion?” she asked.

“I’d be more likely to offend if I did,” James answered. “Because I should tell them they are speaking utter drivel.”

“And they would observe that you reject what you don’t begin to comprehend.”

“It isn’t worth comprehending. The ‘standpoint of nowhere’ indeed!”

Cecelia shrugged. If she had wanted to argue ideas, she would be on the other side of the drawing room. Seeing James sputter was far more enjoyable.

“You are not usually surrounded by chattering chits.” He still sounded annoyed.

Had he forgotten the girls who had come out with her and supported each other through a first season? Those now married and gone? Yes, no doubt he had. “Should I not make new friends?”

“Like this prince? You are not really going to take him about town, I hope?”

“Do you?”

“What?”

“Hope that?”

“Are youtryingto annoy me?”

“I never have to try very hard.”

“Cecelia!”

“Yes, what is it? You have been strange and prickly since you arrived tonight. I don’t know why you came.” The proposal lay between them, but surely he would not mention that here before all these people. She trusted that he would not. And at the same time she longed to know what he felt now that he’d had time to reflect on his impulsive offer.

“I came to—” He bit off the words. He was silent for a moment, then said, “I made a mistake.”

Cecelia blinked at this unusual admission. James rarely admitted to being wrong about anything. Ah. Her spirits sank. Hehadcome to regret his proposal. Had he altered his habits just to come and tell her that? Surely he could see that was unnecessary?

“Do you attend the Yelverton party on Thursday?”

“I mean to,” she answered, bewildered. “Along with my new friends.”

James sighed. “It promises to be a pleasant occasion.”

Platitudes now, Cecelia marveled. What was he up to? “Music rather than philosophy,” she said.

“Precisely.”

“And you are so fond of music.”

“I like it.”

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