What a surprise.Rebecca could have laughed to herself as she turned to face Lady Esther, offering a false smile. Lady Esther had hurried into the room past the housekeeper and was crossing toward the Duke, trying to take his arm.
“We are both coming on the walk,” the Duke said, still keeping his eyes on Rebecca. “Are we not?”
“Yes.” Rebecca crossed to the housekeeper and asked her kindly to place the papers back in the room. Mrs. McGinty smiled and promised she would, just as Rebecca hurried out of the room, aware that the Duke seemed to hasten alongside her, possessing quite an urgent pace, as if determined to stay beside her.
“What is it?” she asked, distractedly.
“I just wanted to say,” he whispered to her, glancing back at Lady Esther who was following behind them. “You do know this conversation is not over, do you not?”
Rebecca gulped, for it was something she had feared.
Chapter Fifteen
“He’s here!” Timothy called as he stepped closer to the window, peering out at the carriage that was making its way through the darkness, up toward the house.
“Who is here?” Lady Rebecca said, appearing at his side.
“Well, he is a man whose praises I wish to sing, but in all honesty, I do not know what you will make of him,” he said with a chuckle as he turned to face her. She smiled, rather sadly.
He could see there was something wrong. Ever since he had found her in the library earlier that day, writing that sad poem, he had been determined to discover what it was that was upsetting her. He had not managed to do so yet, but he had at least managed to cheer her spirits a little whilst they were on their walk.
“Then I will have to judge his character for myself,” Lady Rebecca declared and moved past him an inch, the better to look out of the window and who was arriving in the carriage. She had inadvertently come so close that Timothy felt frozen to the spot. So near to her, his eyes traced the profile of her features, marveling at those blue eyes that so dominated her face, the curve of her lip, and the long neck. “You could still tell me his name, though.”
Timothy had barely heard the words, he was too busy staring at her.
“Your Grace?” she said, turning to look at him and raising her eyebrows. “You seem rather speechless, what happened to cause that?”
“If I told you, I have a feeling you wouldn’t believe me, or you would simply dismiss me as attempting to charm you again,” he pointed out, earning a shake of her head as she laughed, as if she were despairing of him.
“Who is he?” she asked again as they both turned to look out of the window another time. The carriage door opened, and George stepped down, returning his top hat to his head and pulling his tailcoat across his chest.
“My uncle,” Timothy said with a happy tone. “One of the greatest men you will ever meet, in my opinion.”
“A debatable opinion.” A voice called from behind them. Together they turned to see Timothy’s mother offering a warning look.
“Be careful, Lady Rebecca. My brother is a good man, but not the best of men.”
“He’s your brother, Mother,” Timothy said with a laugh, looking at the room where everyone was gathered with drinks now that dinner had finished.
“It means I know his flaws as well as his virtues, Timothy, that is all.”
Lady Rebecca merely laughed at the exchange before she turned back to face the window again.
“Tell me what he is like then, Your Grace, and why he is arriving late.”
“He had some business to complete,” Timothy said, watching through the window as his uncle moved toward the main door of the house where the butler greeted him. “He is a man of fine humor, and if you think I have charm, wait until you meet him.”
“Oh, I see, charm runs in your family, does it?” she asked. “Like some families pass down large noses, you all have charm? Lucky souls indeed.” Her mischief brought a laugh to his face.
“I am pleased to see you happy again, my Lady,” he whispered to her, unable to stop himself. She flinched a little, clearly, she was not expecting him to utter such words.
“Then thank yourself for it, Your Grace. You made me smile again.”
She turned away, moving back to the center of the room and he followed her, aware he was finding it difficult to stay very far away from her. As he went to serve them both port, the door opened, and George was shown into the room by the butler.
“Ah, Lord Hiddlington, I’m so glad you could come,” Lord Herberton stepped forward first to greet his guest. General niceties were said, and Lord Hiddlington was introduced to those he didn’t know, before Timothy offered his hand to Lady Rebecca.
“Come and meet him.”
