Page 72 of Sincerely, the Duke
“We’ve been out most every night for over a week. It’s time we all take a rest from the parties and dinners.”
Edwina sighed and looked out over the green park with its gentle green slopes, stands of trees dotted about the landscape, and people milling about. “Both seem quite popular with all the young gentlemen. Their attention is sought wherever we go. Yet, Elle only has eyes for Mr. Malcolm and Eileen has eyes for no one. How are we going to find them husbands by the end of the Season?”
Worse, how was he going to get them out of his house and into a house of their own if they couldn’t make a match? Rick truly didn’t understand why they weren’t just happy they were no longer in the Netherlands of York.
He was at a loss what to do next. Despite less than favorable weather, in the time they had been living at his house, he and Edwina had twice taken them out on the Serpentine in a rowboat. They spent an afternoon in the landau enjoying a ride and picnic in the countryside. A few nights ago, they had been to Vauxhall Gardens to watch the varieties of acts performing there. Over the past few days Rick had bought Elle a half dozen books, and Eileen a new telescope and old copies of articles on astronomy she wanted to read. The truth of it was that he hadn’t minded doing any of it. All of them were simple things to do that made Edwina happy.
That pleased him and all of it had helped him too. He was learning to be patient. He had no idea it could takesomeone more than three hours to pick out six books. There were other things he was learning: the meaning of obligation and being responsible for someone other than himself. He was discovering there was more to life than just doing and saying what was convenient and easy for him or the title. But all that said, Edwina was right. Little progress had been made.
He looked over at her and said, “I don’t know what else I can do for them.”
Edwina pursed her lips again for a second or two and sighed before saying, “You could be more considering of Mr. Matthew Malcolm. He is the only man Elle wants to be with. Why will you not allow him to call on her, but keep pushing her toward Mr. Mercy?”
That’s not what he was expecting to hear. Or wanted to hear. Only a few days ago it was Hurst and Wyatt telling him the man wanted to join their sporting club, which he finally agreed to, so he had made allowances for the man. Rick guided the horses over to a budding tree and stopped underneath it.
He turned in the seat to face his wife. “He beat me in a shooting match.” It wasn’t as hard to admit to her as he thought it would be so he gave a quick grin. “The first man to win against me in years.”
Edwina lowered her parasol, closed it, and laid it across her lap. “Is that what you have against him?” she asked, as she deliberately turned her knees so that they jutted up against his.
He lifted his brows at her bold move. “It’s enough,” he answered, thinking he was going to have to kiss her before they got home. It would be risky, but doable under the cover of the budding tree. While she seemed to ponder his answer, she slowly unfastened the first four buttons of her pelisse, rested both hands onto her knees, andleaned forward. It was unlike her to be so brazen but he loved getting a forbidden look at the swell of her breasts in the park as they talked. It was inviting and she was enticing.
“Did he cheat?”
“No,” he answered, more interested in her and the delicious way she was making him feel than in their conversation about Malcolm.
“Have you challenged him to a rematch?”
Rick frowned and stretched his arm out on top of the seat back in a relaxed manner. “No.”
Edwina lifted her chin, showing her slender neck and hollow of her throat.
“Then challenge him, beat him, and retake your title as the best shot in London.”
“England,” he corrected with a bit of a smile and arrogance to his tone.
Whether on purpose or in innocence, she folded her arms across her chest, lifting the swell of her breasts higher. “Correction noted and accepted.”
However, he had to admit his beautiful wife had a good point about retaking his place at the top. Rick supposed he would always have a glimmer of resentment toward Malcolm. Not so much because the man won the match. Rick knew it was a fluke glint of sunlight. It was the blade’s attitude afterward. Nevertheless, Rick believed he’d take Edwina up on her advice. Maybe if he allowed Malcolm to pursue Eleonora, she’d find out for herself she didn’t like him any better than Rick did.
“Tell Elle that Malcolm can call on her.”
Happiness lit up her eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered softly. “I’ll be sure to do that.”
“And I’ll tell Malcolm he better not break her heart or be caught visiting Mademoiselle Rivoire.”
Edwina’s arched brows furrowed. “Who?”
“Never mind,” he said. “I’ll have a chat with him about that before he comes over.”
“I think that would be appropriate.”
Rick wasn’t so sure Malcolm would think so, but he had to understand that if he wanted to court a duke’s sister, there were certain rules he had to obey.
“What do you say we cut our ride short, go home, and start dressing for tonight’s party a little early? As soon as Elle hears Mr. Malcolm can call on her, I know she will want to go.”
Rick chuckled huskily. “That’s a good idea, but first, I must do this.” He picked up her parasol, opened it, and placed the canopy facing out and the shaft held tightly between his knees. He pulled Edwina to him and kissed her soundly on the lips before letting his lips drift over to her ear. “You are tempting me, dear wife, to behave naughtily. I assume that’s what you intended.”
“I do admit I’ve been wanting you to kiss me all day, but to do it here is dangerous. Someone could see us.”
