Page 33 of Sincerely, the Duke
“Perhaps I have reason.”
He touched the back of his neck and his fingers came back with a trace of blood.
Edwina flinched. “Oh, my,” she whispered, suddenly feeling wretched again. She reached up to touch him and offer comfort, but a loud laugh from across the street stopped her just in time. “You really are hurt. Should we go back inside where I can tend it for you?”
“I’m fine. It’s only a scratch.”
But that meant he had at least two marks and maybe more from the fringe of beads.
He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and placed it onto his nape. “I’ve never been attacked by two ladies at the same time.”
Really?
She tilted her head a little to the side and gave him a quizzical expression. “So, does that mean you’ve been attacked by one woman before?”
Her responsive question must have tickled his fancy. His frown eased. She could see he was trying to keep it from happening, but as if against his will, the corner of his mouth lifted attractively.
She smiled with a bit of a teasing smirk and suddenly they were both chuckling.
“That was for an entirely different reason, Miss Fine.”
Edwina relaxed and relished the good feeling of communicating with him on such a lighthearted level. “I’m sure it was. I’d enjoy hearing about when it happened and the reason.”
His stance loosened from his rigid pose. The crease between his brows faded completely away. “I have no doubt you are eager to hear it all. Rest assured you never will.”
“Such a disappointment.”
“But best that you don’t.” His eyes sparkled with amusement as he stuffed his handkerchief back into his coat pocket. “You know I am not tolerant of most people, Miss Fine, but I find you an exception.”
His words sounded solid, genuine, and made Edwina feel as if butterfly wings were fluttering in her chest. With all the wonderful things the duke made her feel, could the wedding night be so dreadful no one wanted to talk about it?
Drawn to his mellow manner, she smiled too and watched sunbeams make the golden streaks in his light-brown hair shine and sparkle. For a moment, she had the wild thought to reach up and brush her hand across its silkiness and let her fingertips trail softly down his cheek. She wanted to kiss the red scratch near his chin to thank him for not being angry with Elle and Eileen for their impetuous behavior.
Instead, the sound of a door slamming across the street and the screech of a young child brought back her sanity. She clutched her hands together behind her back for fear she might forget the neighbors were so close and touch him anyway. “I’m glad you aren’t hurt too badly. Aside from that inappropriate mishap, I know you must be pleased your plan worked and my sisters are now in London. I didn’t think your plan would, which is why I didn’t mind reporting your ungentlemanly manner to them. You must feel like crowing from the rooftops.”
He gave her an appreciative shrug. “I’m very glad ourruse worked.” He moved in close to her. “However,youstill have some explaining to do.”
“What about?” she asked curiously.
“You misled me when it comes to your sisters.”
Fear she’d been caught withholding the truth gripped her and she stilled. Had he seen at once they were triplets even though they were all dressed completely differently? Tension held her rigid, but she tried to keep all emotion out of her face. “I don’t believe I know exactly what it is you are referring to.”
His eyes focused harder on hers. “You said they were older than you.”
Edwina’s hands tightened into fists. She had to force herself not to turn away from his probing stare and dissolve into a puddle of despair. She didn’t want to reveal to him all the story of their birth but if he asked, she would be truthful.
Softly, she admitted, “I didn’t mislead you. It’s true. Both are older than me.”
His voice softened. “I assumed much older because they didn’t want to marry. I imagined spinsters of an older age who had long ago given up on the prospects of marriage and families of their own. Probably gray hair, plain, or shy. Maybe all three.”
Her back stiffened again but the duke held up his hand before she could respond to his assessment of her sisters.
“They are as lovely as you, and don’t appear to be a day older. Quite frankly, it’s remarkable how much they look just like you. If not for their bonnets, I’m not sure I would have known who was who. They are just as bold and spirited as you are. When I think of older sisters who haven’t married, I don’t envision someone so young, beautiful, and sure to catch the attention of any man.”
His words settled her and she started breathing easier again. “Why does it even matter how they look?” she asked, more composed now that she knew what he’d been thinking. “A true gentleman would be more interested in their intellect and disposition.”
His brows rose on her last words.
