Page 71 of Sincerely, the Duke
“He wants to court Eleonora. He asked her to go for a ride in the park with him, and I had to tell her no.”
“Do you think he’s doing this to get back at you for not letting him pursue your sister-in-law?” Wyatt asked, leaning his chair away from the table on its back two legs. “Or does he really want to be a part of the sporting team? And does he want to court Eleonora because you rejected his friendliness after the shooting match?”
“Could be all of that,” Rick admitted without qualms.
Hurst cleared his throat, causing Rick and Wyatt tolook at him. “Wait. Neither of you should discount Miss Eleonora’s beauty and charm,” Hurst said. “Everything about her is inviting. Her voice is sweet, and her innocence shows in everything she says. And Eileen’s intelligence is exceptional.”
Wyatt and Rick looked at Hurst with interest.
“Do you have designs on either of them?” Wyatt asked.
“Me? No, no. I just don’t want Rick to minimize the sisters’ attributes—minus the singing, of course. I’ve heard talk among the bachelors. There’s interest in both of them.”
Hurst was right. Edwina’s sisters were the loveliest young ladies on the marriage mart.
“What does Edwina think about Malcolm?” Hurst asked with a nonchalant quirk of his head.
Rick relaxed and his breathing slowed. All he had to do was think about his wife and he smiled. Strange as it was for him to admit, he had enjoyed the past few days with her. He loved watching how she watched over her sisters and her aunt. Suddenly, he was looking forward to getting back home to her after the card game with his friends.
“She thinks he’s a nice young man,” Rick said after taking another sip of his drink. “And I am sure he is around her and Eleonora.”
“Well, you must admit Malcolm has some brass stones,” Wyatt groused as he slowly let the front legs of his chair back onto the floor with a soft thud. “Thinking he can get into the Brass Deck Club without our vote. He knows we will side with you.”
“We have several who are seeking membership,” Hurst offered. “We’ll assess them all when the time comes. Some are good enough to help us win; others, we’ll have to pass over.”
Rick took a deep breath as Wyatt motioned for another round of drinks. Rick had a lot of things he needed to think on. There was no doubt Malcolm had a good eye, steady hand, and keen concentration when it came to competing. With his skill, he would be a good man to have on the team, but would he be a good beau for Eleonora?
CHAPTER 23
THE ART OF BEING A FINE GENTLEMAN
SIR DUDLEY SAMSON PEMBERTON FINE
A fine gentleman knows when it is time to give up the search for that which he seeks but cannot find.
Rick helped Edwina into the curricle and then climbed up and took the reins as she opened her dainty fringed parasol. This would be the first time they had a ride in the park without her sisters or aunt joining them. He clicked the ribbons a couple of times and the horses took off with a rattle of harness and roll of squeaking wheels on hard-packed ground.
Spring had finally arrived and it was the warmest and driest day London had seen in a week. The air felt fresh and smelled fragrant. Puffy white clouds slowly drifted across the blue sky. An abundance of rain the past week had the trees, shrubs, bushes, and flowers showing their vibrant colors.
Now that the Season had officially started, the park was buzzing with pedestrians and horse-and-carriage traffic when they entered. Carriages of different sizes and shapes, along with peddlers’ carts and milk wagons, rolled along the worn paths and open spaces. The landscape was dotted with children playing, couples walking, and gentlemen on horseback.
Edwina had been quiet for their short drive to the entrance. Even when they had passed other people who were enjoying the sunny day. Her waves, nods, and calls of greetings were subdued to the gentlemen who doffed their hats and ladies who smiled and nodded.
Letting the horses choose their own lazy pace, Rick put both reins in one palm and picked up Edwina’s gloved hand and kissed it.
She turned to him, tilted her head, and pursed her lips as if in deep thought before saying, “You do know showing affection in a public place is forbidden by the ton, do you not?”
“I do, and probably by most everyone else too. However, kissing a lady’s hand is never out of place.”
“Really?” she asked with a curious expression. “Not even in church?”
Rick laughed and kissed her hand again. “Perhaps you are right about that. But we aren’t in church and I am feeling very devilish today.”
Edwina twirled the handle of her parasol and the pale-green fringe danced around her. She gave him a spicy smile that tightened his lower body. He started to tell her how much he enjoyed being with her. At a party, home, or beside her on a carriage seat. It wasn’t just that she made him happy. It was more than that, and for the first time he was wondering if it might be love.
Swallowing and shying away from that very probable idea, carrying on with their playful attitude, he gave Edwina a questioning grin. “I do believe you are inviting me to kiss you on your beautiful lips here in the open where anyone—including the people in the carriage that is about to pass us—could see.”
“Absolutely not,” she said deliberately and unconvincingly as she waved a greeting to the couple. “I was tryingto think of a different way to tell you how happy I am. You’ve been kind and more than accommodating to Elle and Eileen. I wish they would appreciate your efforts more by trying harder to find someone to make them happy. I can’t talk either one into going to Lord and Lady Windham’s party tonight. Both say they are too tired.”
