At least, hemadeto move away and would have done if she had not reached out and grabbed his sleeve.
Nowthatwas a terrible breach of propriety, and she dropped her hand away at once. He had already stopped dead, face beet red.
“I beg your pardon,” she said quietly, glancing around to make sure nobody else had noticed. “But I have done something to offend you, your Grace?”
His eyes fluttered shut, just for a moment. “No, nothing. I… Do excuse me.”
She said nothing, letting him walk away this time. Lavinia watched him weave his way through the spread-out blankets, shoulders hunched and head down.
As he passed the Bainbridges’ blanket – only the three of them sat there – Miss Bainbridge spoke to him. Of course she did. Lavinia could not hear what she said, but the inviting smile and tilted head said it all.
The duke hesitated, only for a moment, and then lowered himself to sit beside her on the blanket. Miss Bainbridge threw a quick, triumphant look over her shoulder, meeting Lavinia’s eye squarely.
She turned away, crimson, and left Miss Bainbridge to her success, flopping down on the blanket again.
“What are you standing around for, dear?” Lady Brennon remarked, entirely engrossed by her cream biscuit. “Why don’t you pour us all some tea?”
Lavinia poured the tea.
***
After the picnic, there were games of croquet and bowls, and even a few mild-mannered card games conducted between groups of people on their picnic blankets.
Lavinia did not join in. She sat on her blanket, staring into space, wishing she had an appetite for the dainties spread out before her.
Why the sudden change in attitude?She wondered, for the hundredth time.What did I do to offend him?
Nothing came to mind, but there must have been something. His manner had been more than plain. Even now, she could see him playing a game of croquet with Miss Bainbridge, a pained expression on his face. It was clear that he did not want to be there, playing that game.
And yet, he is doing it. Oh, if I were a duke – even if I were a man – I’d never suffer my way through any nonsense like this. I should do what I liked. I should say what I liked.
Lavinia was so lost in her sour thoughts that she didn’t hear the other woman approaching until she flopped down beside her on the blanket.
“Penny for them,” Katherine said, grinning.
“I… I beg your pardon?”
“Penny for your thoughts,” Katherine repeated. “You looked entirely lost in thought. They must be interesting, then. Your thoughts.”
Lavinia grimaced. “Quite the contrary, I’m afraid. They’re rather uncharitable. I’d rather forget them myself.”
Katherine nodded, making herself more comfortable. “I saw you sitting here alone, and thought that we could have a little talk, you and I.”
“What an ominous way to start a conversation.”
Katherine gave a sharp laugh. “Oh, you are quite the wit, Miss Brookford. I mean that in the most flattering manner, as you surely comprehend. You express your thoughts with such candour.”
“More often than I should.”
She shrugged. “It’s a refreshing sort of honesty. One doesn’t see it a great deal in Society.”
“I… I believe your brother said something similar to me, once.”
She nodded thoughtfully. “Yes. William, on occasions, is either the cleverest man I have ever met, or the most foolish. It is as if he cannot make up his mind.”
Lavinia had to bite back a smile at that. “You are his sister; it is your prerogative to be ungenerous.”
“Spoken like a sibling yourself. You have only a sister, is that right, Miss Brookford? No brothers?”
