Page 61 of It's All About the Duke
Half an hour later, Portington walked Rath back to the sitting room.
“Your knowledge about all you have is astounding, Mr. Portington.”
The man bowed. “I thank you for being so kind with your words, Your Grace. It humbles me.”
“Are you sure I can’t tempt you to help me get my collection started? I’d be most generous.”
Portington patted his pockets again. “Not with anything I have, but I’ll be happy to guide you on whatever you decide to purchase. It’s as much the seeking out the rare items as it is obtaining them.”
“Yes, I can see that it is for you.”
“I’ll send you a list of the traders, if you’d like?”
“I would.” Rath swung his cloak over his shoulders and picked up his hat and gloves. He reached for Mr. Portington’s hand when he heard the front door open and ladies’ voices.
Hellfire!Had he been at the man’s house that long? He’d been trying to hurry but the man had so many relics to look at it was impossible to rush through them.
Mr. Portington shook his hand as Marlena, Miss Everard, and another lady, whom he assumed was Mrs. Portington, walked into the small space. He was fairly sure he’d seen her at a party or ball before, but certain he’d never had a reason to be introduced to her. She looked almost as pale-faced and frightened to see him as her sister.
Without thinking, Rath said, “Don’t faint, Miss Everard.”
“Faint?” Portington laughed and let go of Rath’s hand. “Eugenia’s never fainted in her life. Strong as they come, that one. It’s her sister who’s delicate. If you don’t mind, Your Grace, may I present my wife, Mrs. Veronica Portington.”
The ladies quietly acknowledged him with a curtsy and he nodded to them. Rath didn’t know how Portington could say Miss Everard had never fainted. She looked very much on the verge of it again, and so did her sister. They huddled close to each other. Rath assumed the man was as oblivious to his wife’s and sister-in-law’s dismay as he was to the massive collection of artifacts surrounding him like an ancient tomb.
But what caused Miss Everard—and now her sister—to be so disturbed by him was a mystery Rath had yet to solve. Was he such an ogre? Had Miss Truth’s weekly writings made him such a villain in London that young ladies were now becoming fearful of him?
“Fog came in and we had to cut our picnic short,” Marlena offered on a rushed breath of air. “We’ll have to go back another day.”
“That’s disappointing,” Mr. Portington said. “Days inthe park are good for Veronica. She always enjoys the outings.”
The ladies remained silent, watching him. Rath thought it best for him to excuse himself and make a hasty exit. “I was just leaving.” He nodded to them again. “Mr. Portington, thank you for your help.” He turned to Marlena and reached for the basket she held. “Miss Fast, I’m on my way out. I’ll walk you home.”
“All right. Yes, thank you, but I’ll leave the refreshments. Mrs. Doddle made the sweet cakes and cinnamon butter especially for them. I can get the basket later.”
After Marlena said her good-byes, they stepped out of the house and into fog so dense, Rath could barely see the rooftops of the neighboring houses. It was best the ladies had come home while they could still see to cross the streets. The blinding fog was moving in fast.
Marlena started down the stone pathway that led to the front gate, but Rath touched her arm. She stopped and looked up at him. Though the vapor enclosed them, he had no problem seeing her. She wore a black bonnet with a short brim that allowed him to see all her face. Her cheeks were damp from the heavy mist. Her beautiful eyes were sparkling like emeralds though there wasn’t a spot of light anywhere around them. Even surrounded by a gray, thick haze, she was beautiful.
“Are you cold?” he asked.
“Not so much. We had a brisk walk from the park.”
“Just in case,” he said. Reaching over, he lifted the small collar of her wool cape and tucked it securely around her throat. His hand skimmed across the top of her shoulders and drifted down her arms. Emotions he didn’t want to think about were stirring inside him. “I don’t want you getting moisture down your neck. You might get chilled.”
“Thank you.”
“Let’s take the side entrance,” he said, moving his head to the left. “The one you and Miss Everard use.”
“How did you—never mind. I remember.” She turned away and started walking again.
Rath fell in step beside her. “Did you hear Portington say Miss Everard never fainted in her life? That she was strong.”
“Yes, I’ve said as much,” she answered, glancing over at him. “What did Mr. Portington have to say about his collection and the possibility of parting with some of it?”
It was bothersome how easily Marlena could dismiss Miss Everard’s reaction to Rath, but he decided to let it go for the time being and discuss what was on Marlena’s mind.
“First, everything you said about Portington is true. He doesn’t have the look of someone extremely eccentric, but he is. I’m not an expert but I believe many of the artifacts he has are valuable, though some aren’t.”
