Page 51 of Betting on a Duke
“Pretty much. I’ll take you to your room and wait outside while you gather your things.
With her hand entwined with his, she focused on the path to her room and not on any people they encountered along the way. She would not let condescending stares or looks rattle her. “This is my room.” She turned the knob. “I’ll only be a minute.”
“Take your time. We’ve got all night.”
Slipping inside and shutting the door behind her, Clarice found Penny sitting at the dressing table, drawing with a piece of coal and parchment. The maid was lost in her sketching. “Penny?”
She finally looked her way, then jumped up quickly and curtsied. “My lady. How may I help you?”
“I’m accompanying the Duke of Stanton to Ramsbury Ridge Farm to meet his racing horses. I need a cloak, a hat, and my boots.”
“Right away, my lady.”
As Penny went through the wardrobe, Clarice curiously approached the dressing table and picked up the drawing Penny was working on, along with several others. Her eyes widened. “Penny, did you design these?” The pages featured clothing designs, mostly for ladies.
“Yes, my lady.”
“These are incredible. Even in black and white, I can picture the vibrant or pastel colors you must be envisioning when you create these. You are very talented. Have you ever tried to sell your designs to a modiste?”
“No, my lady.”
Clarice sat in the chair while Penny put on her boots. She immediately stood to receive her cloak and hat. “Well, I think you should. When we’re back in London, Lady Rutherford and I will introduce you to Madam Serena. She is so busy with all thetoncrowding her doors for her newest creations that she can’t possibly be doing all her own designs. Perhaps she would be interested in yours.”
Poor Penny. Her mouth opened and closed several times as her eyes widened, and then tears fell from her eyes. “That is very kind, my lady, and I thank you.”
“Lock both outside doors when I leave. I don’t want any guests who have overindulged in spirits to think these are their rooms. Also, please inform Lady Rutherford where I went and that I don’t know when I’ll return.”
Just as Samuel said, he was out in the corridor, leaning against a wall, waiting for her. His face lit up with a smile when he saw her. “My dear, you look lovely.” He took her gloved hand, raised it up, and brushed his lips across her knuckles. “Not just lovely, enchanting. You have enchanted me since I was a boy.”
A blush warmed her cheeks as she pulled her hand away. “Samuel, you are being silly.”
He took her hand again, this time wrapping it through his arm as they started walking down the corridor. “Not silly. Serious. You are lovely, enchanting, beautiful, kind, considerate... should I continue?”
His words, which had seemed to come straight from his heart, warmed hers. “Thank you. And forgive me for thinking you were being silly.”
“Not at all.” He nodded to the doorman as they approached the front doors. Once the doors opened, they swept through and out into her waiting carriage with Kirkland in the driver’s seat.
“Before you ask, I sent word to have your carriage brought around. I rode Smokey here, and here he will stay. When I return you to the inn, I can ride Smokey back again to Ramsbury Ridge Farm.”
“Very ingenious of you to think of that all by yourself.” She jabbed her elbow into his side teasingly.
“Now who’s being silly?”
“Me.” They sat side by side in companionable silence, holding hands for most of the ride. Clarice had a lot on her mind, and she knew Samuel did, too. He had his first horserace of his life coming up in just a few days. She was amazed he was so composed. At least on the outside, he was. She could only imagine what was going on inside. These next five races would make or break his dreams of owning a stud farm.
“I recommend you take off your pristine white gloves before entering the stables.”
“You are right.” She took off her gloves and put them beside her.
Samuel leaned forward, pushed the curtain aside, and said, “We have arrived.”
