Page 31 of The Duke of Scandal

“I do speak from personal experience,” Harriet said. “My family is not the wealthiest. I have no shame in admitting that. I know that some would be embarrassed.”

“Foolish men. The culture of the gentlemen's club which most men such as myself belong to, discourages frank and open conversations. One is expected to maintain a certain outward appearance.”

“Yes, well that expectation is putting a deal of pressure on my cousin, the Earl of Sandleigh. He struggles to keep his struggles from his family and friends.”

“I sympathize,” Edward said, “though I do not have direct experience of his situation.”

“Of course, you do not. You are among the wealthiest men in the country. You occupy a world as different to mine as the world of a farmer or a miner.”

There was a fire in her eyes that Edward found intensely alluring. Particularly when she spoke to him from the folds of a dressing gown. He could see, in the flickering candlelight, an expanse of pale neck and chest, revealed where the two halves of the dressing gown came together. Occasionally, a petite ankle was revealed or a slender wrist. Her hair had the disarray of one who had tossed and turned in bed. It gave her a wild appearance that made Edward think of passionate trysts in secluded woodlands.

Harriet was looking at him directly as they spoke. He wondered if she forgot herself, if she forgot the niceties when particularly enthused by a subject. This had the sound of a crusade.

“May I get you some refreshment?” he asked suddenly.

“Yes. A little something that will help me sleep perhaps?”

“I have an excellent Island Scotch, single malt that I keep in this room. It will certainly promote deep sleep,” Edward said, rising and striding to a crystal decanter on a sideboard beneath a dusty shield bearing the device of the Boltons.

He expected Harriet to demur, to instead ask for tea or warm milk. Her response almost caused him to miss a step.

“That sounds delicious. I have a particular liking for the peaty, saltiness of Island whiskeys.”

“You do?” Edward half turned.

Now it was Harriet’s turn to smile. It was enigmatic and playful, seeming to let Edward know that she knew they were in a game and that she was not afraid to play. Edward nodded and poured two healthy measures. As he handed her the crystal tumbler, their fingers touched around the glass. Their eyes danced towards each other for a moment and Edward felt the frisson of excitement at that contact.

“I did not expect such a companionable conversation with a Worthingham this evening. I take it you are not acquainted with the Somerset branch of your family?”

Harriet frowned, sipping appreciatively at her whiskey. “I did not know I had relatives in Somerset.”

As I thought. She and Lucius might as well be strangers.

“Lucius Worthingham, hailing from Somerset, has given me cause for perturbation this evening and driven me to take refuge here.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Does it have something to do with your sister?” Harriet inquired.

“He wishes to marry her. I refused. He is a common veterinary surgeon. A man who births calves for a living. I had no choice.”

“Does your sister love him?”

“Irrelevant.”

“Not when discussing a potential husband,” Harriet said.

“But, you are here, by your own admission, to help your family. I presume your objective is to find a husband?” Edward asked.

“Yes, and I appreciate the hypocrisy. But, my choices are dictated by my circumstances…”

“As are mine. As are Rebecca’s,” Edward said sternly.

Harriet made no sign that his firm tone had frightened her or concerned her in any way whatsoever. She stared right back at him over the rim of her glass, sipping at the amber liquid deliberately, as though to prove to Edward that she truly enjoyed the fiery, hard to acquire, taste. Edward stared back. Her fierceness shone through, as did her resolve. It was a frighteningly attractive combination.

By heaven but she is the most desirable woman I have met in many a year. She is a lioness!

“I must marry soon. To produce an heir and continue my family line. I must choose someone of equal status for the honor of my family. Rebecca has the same restrictions on her.”

“So, you would have to choose from those families at Court or equally high?” Harriet said.

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