“Well.” He tilted his head, his voice a low, seductive purr. “Now that I’m here, what shall we do with ourselves?”
Cynthia knew whatshewas going to do.
She was going to show him how incompatible they were.
Once she proved they didn’t suit, he would see their flirtation was as pointless as it was temporary.
She respected her heart too much to be nothing more than a man’s passing fancy.
If the duke wished to procrastinate, he could take up a hobby.
Juggling chestnuts was nice. So was picking a blasted bride, so as to put the rest of the party out of their misery.
“We’ll begin,” she said briskly, “in the counting house.” Cynthia lifted her arm to point up high at the tallest tower. “It’s in the room at the top.”
He gulped. “Let me guess... It’s countless uneven flights up a narrow, winding, windowless staircase?”
“Oh, you’ve already seen it?” she said brightly. “If the idea bores you, go on back to the party.”
“I’ll go,” he said quickly. “Lead the way.”
Marvelous.
But they’d no sooner stepped beneath the castle archway and in through the open entrance doors when the duke stopped stock-still and gazed about in childlike wonder.
“It’s incredible.” His voice was hushed, his expression filled with awe. “The interior looksnew.”
“Mr. Marlowe renovated the castle a decade ago.” Cynthia stared at the duke in befuddlement. “Have you never beeninsidethe castle before?”
He shook his head. “I heard there were free refreshments for villagers, but I don’t require charity. I have a French chef and a well-stocked kitchen.”
“People don’t come to the castle forcharity,” she began, then corrected herself. “I concede that free food and entertainment is one of the reasonsIcame the first time. But it’s far from the only reason. Wealthy tourists pay the same to rent a suite with a view for a fortnight as they would renting a room for an entire year in London. People come because it’s Christmastide here, all year round. This village is a family anyone can drop into whenever they please. Fellow strangers are just future friends. And yes, the free cakes are nice.” She frowned at him. “Why doyoucome?”
“For Christmas,” he assured her. “But I put it on myself. I’m in London most of the year for Parliament, then at my country estate the rest of the year, making up for lost time. I tend to arrive here toward the beginning of December, a week or so before my guests, so that I have time to prepare. I must be present during the party because I am the host. After the grand Twelfth Night farewell ball, the house clears on Epiphany, and I head back to London myself the following day to retake my seat in the House of Lords.”
“Wait,” she said. “This isn’t just your first time inside the castle. You’re saying you own a holiday home at a famous perpetual Yuletide tourist destination... that you’ve never actually seen?”
“I can see the castle from my windows,” he told her. “Well, parts of it. I can see the towers and the wall.”
“Come with me.”
She hooked her elbow around his and dragged him past the lavish reception area to a dining hall as large as any palace ballroom. Tables filled every inch of space. Villagers and tourists alike filled the tables.
“Look,” the duke said in surprise. “They’re eating—”
“The same sort of meals your French chef prepares?” Cynthia said dryly. “This may come as a shock, but Marlowe Castlealsohas French chefs. As well as not-French chefs. The menu is extensive and changes fortnightly.”
“Fortnightly?” Alexander’s brows shot up. “How can an extensive menu change fortnightly during the winter? Nothing but evergreens grows for miles around.”
She took him out through a side door and into an enormous glasshouse.
“Behold,” she said. “The conservatory, half of which is dedicated to fruits, vegetables, and spices. Where do you think your French chef obtains the items he cooks for you in your kitchen?”
The duke gazed about in wonder. “This indoor ‘garden’ is as big as a park!”
“Wait until you hear about all of the activities at Marlowe Castle inadditionto eating,” she said. “The ballroom hosts assemblies every week. Guests come from all corners to enjoy the orchestras and the dancing. I’m sure you passed the amphitheatre on your journey in?”
“I did know about the theatre,” he assured her. “I just haven’t had a chance to—”
