Page 45 of Sincerely, the Duke
“How wonderful to have something of such a private nature as his daily thoughts,” Fredericka said. “I was recently given some poetry I had written as a young girl. My cousin had kept the collection and returned them to me not long ago. I was very happy to have those memories from my past.”
“I would like to read them one day if you wouldn’t mind,” Edwina said.
Fredericka laughed softly. “I will consider it, but I’m sure you wouldn’t find them as thoughtful and interesting as your father’s writing.”
Edwina smiled sweetly. “Not all Papa’s writings were private musings. He had a book published a few years ago.”
“What is the nature of the book? I wonder if I might have read it.”
“Probably not,” Edwina said with a friendly lift of her eyebrows. “It’s a reference guide for gentlemen. You wouldn’t have had much need for such a book, but perhaps Wyatt or Hurst might have read it or heard talk of it among gentlemen in one of their clubs.The Art of Being A Fine Gentleman.” Edwina looked from one duke to the other, eager to know if they had by chance indeed heard of it.
“I haven’t read much other than newsprint since I left Oxford,” Wyatt said with a grin. “There are other things I’d rather do.”
“I might have come across your father’s work when I was younger,” Hurst replied, brushing his light-blond hair away from his forehead. “Forgive me for admitting I don’t remember all the books I’ve read.”
He gave Edwina an easygoing smile and she knew he was the type to make friends quickly and without much effort.
“Forgiveness isn’t necessary, Your Grace. I don’t remember all I’ve read either,” Edwina assured him shyly, wondering if she was talking too much about her father again. She knew she tended to do so, and to boast of his accomplishments without shame. Trying to temper her bragging, she added, “Besides, my father’s book wasn’t widely acclaimed.”
“Have you read it?” Hurst asked Rick.
He shook his head, cleared his throat, and looked at Edwina. “No, but perhaps one day.”
“It has a very intriguing title, Edwina,” Fredericka said, further continuing the thread of conversation. “I’m sure these three gentlemen could find some wisdom in your father’s book.” She looked at her husband and gave him a bright smile. “Right?”
Fredericka’s tone was sincere but her lips twitched and her eyes sparkled with mischievous humor.
Wyatt quirked a brow at his wife. “A gentleman isalwaysinterested in wisdom, my darling.”
Edwina could see the love he held for Fredericka and was tweaked with a sudden rise of hope that she might look at Rick like that one day. “I’m sure he only wanted to inspire gentlemen in a subtler way, almost like poetry,” Edwina answered, brushing aside the stray, unexpected thought from her mind.
A sudden hush fell among her companions, and they all shared an odd glance. She had no idea what caused the instant, uncomfortable silence. She focused on Rick, hoping for a sign or insight as to what she might have said that seemed to stun them all.
“Poetry, you say?” Fredericka was the first to speak. She turned to her husband and gave him an even bigger smile before turning back to Edwina. “I think we should have tea soon and talk about poetry and other things.”
Edwina felt herself beam at the invitation. She’d had her sisters all her life, of course, but because they lived so far from the village she’d never really had a friend she could visit and share things with. “I would like that very much.” She then looked at the duke and gave him a sweet smile, hoping it carried into her eyes so he would know how appreciative she was that he’d introduced her to his friends. He nodded and smiled too.
Over the course of the next few minutes, lightheartedconversation flowed through the group. Edwina recognized a strong bond of friendship between the three men and that Fredericka had found a comfortable niche for herself among them. It gave her hope that, in time, with work, she could do the same.
Soon, she and the duke moved on to meet other guests. Edwina was certain she had been introduced to most everyone attending when Eleonora came up beside her with an unusual exuberance, giving her another hug and kiss on the cheek.
“Auntie sent me to check on how you are doing.”
Edwina stepped aside from the couple they were talking to. “Quite well considering the occasion and number of people here,” she said, wondering at the liveliness of her usually subdued sister.
Eleonora’s attention was caught by something or someone over Edwina’s shoulder. It was the most intriguing expression Edwina had seen from her sister in over a year. Her entire countenance seemed to soften as a pretty blush stained her cheeks.
Curiosity made her turn to find the subject of her sister’s interest and she caught a glimpse of a tall, handsome gentleman with golden-blond hair. He was staring at her sister as if he were looking at the woman of his dreams before he turned away.
This was wonderful! It proved the duke had given Edwina a good chance in helping her sisters find husbands by the end of the Season and keeping her promise to her father. The duke had introduced her to most everyone at the wedding but she was certain she hadn’t met this man.
She turned to Rick with a sudden and overwhelming urge to reach around his broad chest and strong neck and hug him tightly. She was so happy she wanted to feel hisstrong arms around her and place kisses all over his face. Rick saw her and returned her appreciative expression with a smile.
Suddenly, the heady delight was dampened by other thoughts of good news that came to mind. Even as it seemed the duke was keeping his promise to her, Edwina wondered if she could give him what he wanted: a son. A shiver flashed over her as she continued to watch her handsome husband give his attention back to the man talking to him.
First, she had to get through the wedding night. It was no wonder her aunt had been evasive and hadn’t wanted to tell Edwina anything about it. Henrietta had no problem telling Edwina about the joining of a man and a woman—in great detail. And none of it sounded like the romantic affair Edwina had always envisioned. In fact, it sounded dreadful.
CHAPTER 15
