Page 30 of The Duke's Embrace

I was so pleased to make your acquaintance again the other day and would like to continue our conversation. To that end, I would like to cordially invite you to tea at my townhouse on Tuesday. Please respond at your earliest convenience.

Yours respectfully,

The Dowager Duchess of Holcombe

Tabitha read the note again.Had Andrew said something to his grandmother to prompt this invitation? What would he have said? This is the young lady that I helped to escape from an arranged marriage and who I continue to seduce every chance I get? The last part gave Tabitha a rush of warmth. Andrew certainly knew what to do to make a girl forget about everything but him and his sinful mouth.

More than likely, the dowager duchess had guessed there might be an attraction between them. When she’d spotted her and Andrew together, the older woman had had a pleased look on her face. The invitation might be a ploy to see if Tabitha had any intentions toward the duke. If it wasn’t for her predicament with Lord Vance, Tabitha would consider the possibility that there could be something between her and Andrew.

He was the first man to have made her imagine a life with a husband. Someone who would love and respect her. But there was the nagging doubt that Andrew just wanted an affair and nothing more. After all, he knew of her predilection to want to remain unmarried. If only she could read minds. Or at the very least, have the courage to ask the man his intentions.

Either way, it didn’t matter. The Duke of Holcombe was the least of her worries. All she could do was wait until she heard from Lord Vance as to when they would meet. Until then, she would reply to the dowager duchess’s invitation and accept. What was one afternoon?

When the day arrived for the engagement, Tabitha wore her best tea dress of a fine light-pink muslin. She made sure Aunt Caroline had left the house before she went downstairs. Tabitha had told her aunt she was going to a friend’s home, not wanting to divulge her true destination.

The coach pulled up to the townhouse, and Tabitha was led inside to a bright drawing room. Light sky-blue accents, lace curtains, and matching rugs made the room inviting. The couches and chairs were a soft off-white to give the feel of being in the clouds. She liked the decor instantly. On the far side of the room sat the dowager, who rose when Tabitha was announced.

Tabitha curtsied to her hostess, who led her to a seat near the tea service.

The older lady smiled. “I’m so happy you accepted my invitation, Miss Crestwood. I’ve been waiting anxiously for our meeting.”

“Thank you, madam,” Tabitha said, accepting a cup of tea. “If it would not be too forward, might I inquire as to the purpose of the invitation? Why me?”

“The question, my dear girl,” Lady Holcombe said, pouring herself a cup of tea, “is what appeal do you hold for my grandson?”

Hearing those words, Tabitha froze. It felt like a rock had landed in her gut. What had Andrew said? Perhaps the dowager was just keenly astute. Hadn’t Andrew said that someone might tell they’d had a tryst right before they’d left the secluded path? Tabitha remained silent and let her hostess lead the conversation.

“Well, my dear, judging from the shade of white you have turned, I can only assume my suspicions about you and Andrew are correct.”

“Madam, whatever His Grace has told you, I can assure you it is not true. I am a well-bred, respectable young lady who...”

The older woman put her hand up to silence Tabitha’s plea and gave her a sympathetic smile.

“I saw the way Andrew looked at you the other day in the park. It was the same look my husband used to give me. He has asked me not to interfere, but my grandson knows me and knows that I do as I please.”

She sounded just like Tabitha. At least the duke was accustomed to being around strong-willed women.

“Does His Grace know you invited me today?”

“No,” she said, reaching for a scone. “Andrew has left for the Holcombe estate in Essex, something about business matters. So I took the liberty of inviting you here while he is away. I wish to get to know you better.”

Tabitha pressed her lips together. “There isn’t much to tell.”

The lady raised her eyebrows. “Really? I heard quite the opposite.”

What had she heard?

“I was told you ran away from your parents two years ago in defiance of some arranged marriage.”

Tabitha lowered her head, ashamed that tales of her disappearance had spread. Hopefully, no one knew who her intended had been.

“I admire a woman with courage.”

Tabitha brought her head up.

“You remind me of myself. It’s no wonder Andrew is attracted to you. He needs a strong woman who will support him in his new role. A role, I must tell you, that he has never wanted.”

“He doesn’t want the dukedom?”

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