Luke clenched a hand into a fist and gently shook his head.Quick temper. That does not bode well; a Duchess must have an even temperament.
And Heaven knows if she marries Rodger, that is what she will one day become.
Rodger appeared not to have noticed the exchange and replied happily. “As I was saying before my brother arrived, I rather enjoy reading, philosophy in particular. And of course, keeping up my correspondence, there is nothing quite so invigorating as discourse between intellectual equals.”
“How lovely!” she smiled politely.
“You do not share this interest?” Rodger asked, and Luke did not miss the knowing look Miss Pembleton’s sisters shared.
“I enjoy lively discourse, though I am not much of a reader. I much prefer to be out of doors.” Miss Pembleton gestured to the window.
“How lovely,” Rodger smiled before silence took over, and with it his little brother started to bob his knee.
Luke took a deep breath, knowing that there were few things that made Rodger more anxious than prolonged silences. He cleared his throat.
“Doing what exactly?” Luke asked.
Her amber eyes narrowed slightly as she adjusted her posture before addressing him. “Well, I rather enjoy gardens and gardening.”
“Are you interested in the practical application of your understanding of aesthetics that draw you to them?” Rodger asked, relieved to be able to turn the conversation to matters he was comfortable discussing.
“I beg your pardon?” Miss Pembleton smiled politely, but as Rodger went on to explain how different gardens followed the rules of certain schools of thought, it was clear that he only confused her.
“_ in fact many gardeners ought to consider the interplay of the sublime and the beautiful, as seen in Burke’s works.”
“The sublime?”
“Exactly! Our connection to the sublime through the beauty of nature must be the main priority!” Rodger continued. From her perplexed expression, Luke suspected the young woman’s confusion on the term as opposed to his logic.
“I see...”
“I am so glad you do! I was actually talking to my brother about this the other day! How one mustn’t ignore how the eye travels through the scenery. A properly situated garden lends to the sublimity of the expanse, offering both aesthetic counterpoint and philosophical musing. Yet, I fear some prefer anachronistic rococo excess over the subtle discourse of natural proportion.”
“I admit I am not well versed in all this. All I know is what I enjoy to look at and how I can make it more efficient.”
“Ah yes, that too is nice.” Rodger said and busied himself with taking a sip of tea. And when he could not think of anything his knee started bobbing again.
“So, you are more interested in the nature of problem solving and cultivation as it pertains to gardening? Either of course, would be most interesting. To see the planning of a garden is to see how one’s mind works, either in logic or in taste.” Lukeadded, thinking of how much work he had put into the gardens of his own estate.I thought it would be straightforward to create a thing of beauty, but I was mistaken.
“You are interested in my mind?” Miss Pembleton turned towards him; an eyebrow raised.
“Of course, I am. Looks, Miss Pembleton, may fade, but it is a mind that holds a man’s interest. And while the former is of no doubt, I am intrigued to know more about the later,” Luke explained.
Miss Pembleton nodded, and Luke could swear that she was blushing.
“Meaning that, our parents always said that cultivating the mind is just as important as cultivating appearances. Socially that is,” Luke added before Miss Pembleton could say anything. “Given how accomplished your sisters are, I am sure you’ll meet all expectations?”
“Whose? Yours, Your Grace? Here I assumed I was meant to impress your brother.”
“If you managed to impress me, then you will surely impress Rodger. Though that is not an easy task.”
“Your faith flatters me, Your Grace.” Miss Pembleton raised her chin, challenge shining in her gaze. “And to answer your question, I appreciate the aesthetics of gardens and theinteresting mental challenge that gardening and planning such things offer. But if I am to be quite honest, it is the physical act of gardening, nurturing and creation that I love the most.”
His brows shot up. He rejected the first few replies that came to his mind, instead opting for something more... polite. “Are you not worried about becoming injured?”
“I do not see any harm in it. Besides, the groundskeepers are there to help me if I ever need anything.” Miss Pembleton’s smile spelled ‘victory’. “After all, I am hardly strong enough to wield all the necessary tools that such work requires. Though it is perhaps flattering that you seem to think me so capable.”
Luke opened his mouth to further express his worries, but Rodger asked, “Is that how you learned to garden?”
