Page 22 of Sincerely, the Duke
Eton and Oxford were worse. Who could ever be alone in schools that had over two hundred boys and headmasters who appeared to have eyes in the back of their heads? Somehow, he’d managed those years.
The Dowager Duchess of Stonerick wanted to make sure nothing happened to the heir to the title. Rick vowed he would never be that overly protective of his son. Whenever he had an heir, he was going to give him all the freedom he wanted to just be a boy and not worry about the title.
Rick smiled as he slowed the horses to a walk on his approach to Miss Fine’s house. She was sitting in the shade on the top rung of the front steps, her attention on the book in her hands. When she realized the horse and carriage had stopped, she looked up. His stomach clutched as their eyes met across the distance. It felt good to see her, and that she was doing something so normal was a lovely sight.
Without wasting time, he secured the reins, and jumped from the curricle. The mares were well schooled to a carriage so he had no fear of them wandering off as he strode toward Miss Fine.
“Your Grace,” she said softly while rising and giving a curtsey as he approached.
Rick stopped at the bottom step and took in her natural beauty. She was fetching in a light honey-colored dress with a dark-brown spencer. Her hair looked as if it had been hastily penned and the cool breeze fluttered wisps of strands about her face. There was a freshness about her that looked pure, sweet, and untouched. It made him want to catch her up in his arms and show her the proper way a man should kiss a lady.
Her eyes were steady but wary, almost distrustful as he watched her swallow hard. Was she thinking he might accost her again? He didn’t want her to be apprehensive with him about anything, but he wasn’t good at knowing what to say so she would feel comfortable around him. Especially after yesterday. He never had a reason to worry about such things. Ladies were usually watching what they said around him for fear they wouldn’t please the duke.
“You look lovely, Miss Fine.” It was true, but he was hoping to put her at ease as well.
She twitched her shoulders a little. “Thank you,” she offered softly, continuing to hold her wary gaze on his.
“You left so quickly yesterday we didn’t make arrangements for a time to see each other again.” He looked at the book.
“It was necessary. I needed to get Aunt Pauline home to rest.”
“I know,” he answered truthfully, wondering if he should mention the kiss, apologize, or leave it unspoken between them. “Am I interrupting anything?”
“No.” She held the book to her chest in much the same way his mother had held hers yesterday afternoon. “Just reading. Would you like to come in for refreshment?”
He shook his head and propped his booted foot on the first step. “I can’t stay long. I wanted to make sure you and Mrs. Castleton were feeling better.”
“I’m quite all right, Your Grace.” Her countenance strengthened. “Auntie hasn’t come belowstairs yet today but she was feeling more rested when I checked on her before I came out to read.”
“Good to hear.” Rick wasn’t any good at stepping around questions so he simply asked, “Did you get a letter mailed to your sisters yesterday as I suggested?”
She lifted her chin and scoffed with defiance. “Is that what it was? A suggestion?”
His features softened. “Perhaps a strong one.”
Edwina seemed to prickle at his words. “Definitely a strong one, sir, but I sent the message immediately upon my return home.”
Rick consciously settled his breathing and the desire to catch her up to his chest and kiss her long, soft, and often. There would be time for that after they married, and he suddenly realized he was looking forward to that.
“What did you say to them?” he asked quietly, notwanting to start an argument with her but needing to know she was holding up her end of their bargain.
“The truth, of course,” she murmured under her breath and then said more plainly, “That a scoundrel of the highest order had offered for my hand and was pursuing me in a most ungentlemanly manner.”
“Good.” His gaze caressed her face in a leisurely way. “I like that. They will come. I asked my solicitor to be in touch with your solicitor, Mr. Lewis, today so they can start preparing the marriage contracts.”
“So soon? There is no hurry is there?”
He leaned back and regarded her. She was tense. That was to be expected for a bride. If not for the possibility of the fever returning, he wouldn’t mind giving her more time. “There may be no hurry for you, Miss Fine, but there is for me. I need to marry as soon as possible.”
She hugged the book tighter and seemed to consider his words carefully before saying, “All right. Thank you for letting me know. I shall be in touch with Mr. Lewis too.”
Rick nodded once. Her tone indicated that she thought their conversation was now finished and he would be leaving. But he wasn’t. There was something about her that made him want to indulge in all she had to offer.
“The other reason I came by is because I have something for you.”
Miss Fine looked at his hands and smiled at finding them empty.
“I’ll be right back.” He turned and strode to the carriage and picked up the large wicker basket from the floor of the curricle. It was stuffed full of newsprint pages that had been rolled and tied with colorful ribbons. Just the sort of thing a lady would like. He walked up and placed the basket near her feet.
