He set down his soup spoon, since he no longer had much appetite.
She sighed. “You are glowering at me.”
“You called me a decrepit oaf.”
She blinked. And blinked again. “I said no such thing. What an arrogant lout you are. How in heaven’s name did you come to that conclusion? Merely because I compared you to my parents? My mother would certainly not appreciate being considered old and decrepit.”
She cast him a mildly admonishing look. “Connor, you are the handsomest man at this table. Surely you know this. Indeed, I am sure you know it. You would not be thought of as a Silver Duke if you weren’t devastatingly handsome. But you are also quite stubborn and arrogant when you want to be. As you are now. Stop scowling at me.”
“I am not scowling at you.”
“Then what would you call that fierce expression on your face? You will have all the little partridges quaking in fear if you do not start smiling.”
“They are peahens, not partridges. Nor do I care what they think of me.” But he eased back in his chair and managed a small smile. “You think I am handsome?”
She rolled her eyes. “You know you are. Stop angling for compliments. Do you not get enough from your adoring diamonds?”
“You were a diamond, too. Need I remind you? But all right. It is more important we speak about what happened today. I’m glad your father will survive. Are things back to their normal routine?”
“With us? Are you asking about my looking after the children?”
He nodded. “What are your plans for tomorrow? I’ll take them if you need to be with your father. They are my responsibility, after all.”
“In truth, I would much rather be with them. Let’s keep to our plan. My father will be all right. I’ll walk over with the children in the morning just to make certain. Then I’ll have Evans order my rig hitched so we can ride to the cliffs to bird watch for an hour or so before I take them into town for the St. Matthew’s church fair.”
“Will you eat in town? The fair is a major event and the town will be quite crowded. Should I have Cook prepare another picnic basket for you?”
“There will be plenty of food stalls at the fair. But it would be wonderful to have a little something extra, some scones and fruit perhaps, to carry in our pouches for the morning.”
“Consider it done,” he said with a nod.
“What are your plans for tomorrow, Connor?”
He groaned. “My preference would be to go with you, but…”
“You have your guests to entertain. I understand.”
“I’ll try to get away for a little while, if I can. Perhaps bring some guests into town for the fair. And I’ll postpone my usualmorning ride, push it back an hour so that I can walk to Chestnut Hill with you and the children.”
He glanced around the table to the men. “The riders among them won’t mind an hour’s delay. Since I am the local magistrate, is it not right that I should look in on your father?”
“You know it isn’t necessary.”
“I know, but I would like to be there with you.”
She glanced down at her hands. “Um…”
He waited for the footman to clear away their bowls. Neither of them had bothered to finish their soup, which was delicious, but his cook would be overset to learn he had hardly touched it. “What is that sound of hesitation?”
“Lord Aubrey is going to join me and the children tomorrow. He has wanted to spend some time with me and I saw no harm in allowing it, especially since your three children will serve as my chaperones. Not that a woman my age needs to be chaperoned.”
“Why did you not mention it earlier? Then you do not need me at all tomorrow? You should have stopped me as I was mentioning my plans just now.”
“Your presence is always welcome, Connor.”
“And so is Lord Aubrey’s, it seems.”
“He asked and I saw no harm in it. That is all there is to it. I have not forgotten our earlier conversation about his intentions. I am not going to leap into his arms, and certainly never in front of your children.”
