‘That is a good question,’ he said. ‘I have wondered at my behaviour a thousand times since. I am grateful it was you who found me and not one of the gossips. I would never have heard the end of it.’
‘Ah, so you are embarrassed about it. That is good to know.’
A small smile played around his mouth. ‘Are you intending to blackmail me, Grace?’
She shivered, goosebumps racing across her skin. It had to be because of the slight breeze. It could not be because of the sound of her name on his lips. She was not a green girl whose head could be turned by a handsome man and if she kept telling herself that, she might begin to believe it. ‘It is always a possibility,’ she said, pretending to mull it over. ‘I have become quite partial to your cook’s fruit cake.’
‘Is that all it will take to buy your secrecy?’
‘One cake a week will silence me on the matter forever.’
This time his smile was visible. ‘I suppose I can manage that. My cook already makes several a week for Kate, who adores it above all other food. An extra one should not be too much of an inconvenience.’
‘Excellent. I am glad we could come to a peaceable agreement on the subject. Although, I notice you have avoided answering my question, which has only served to pique my interest. Pray tell me, what persuaded you to enter the water?’
‘Ah.’ He scratched his chin and gazed out over the Serpentine. A swan appeared to take a vehement dislike to another, flapping its wide wings threateningly. ‘Does it not look inviting to you?’
The sun chose that moment to come out from behind the clouds and the water sparkled. The two swans glided effortlessly away from one another, their argument forgotten. ‘It is the waterfowl that puts me off,’ she said after a moment’s reflection. ‘They are rather big birds. I am almost certain that, in a fight between them and me, I would lose.’ She appraised his wide shoulders. ‘I suppose you believe that the animals would not dare to attack you because of your dukeliness. They are no doubt as overawed by your status as are the members of the Ton.’
Tobias nodded solemnly. ‘You are correct, as always. I am certain they would not attempt such a blatant digression against a peer of the realm. The Society matrons would be appalled by such behaviour and they would never be able to show their beaks in London again.’
‘I agree wholeheartedly. I can only think of what the likes of Mrs Meadway would say of their behaviour should they be so uncouth.’ Glancing up at him, she saw that his dark eyes were gleaming, taking her made-up word in reference to his title in the way she had intended; it persuaded her to continue in the same vein. ‘It must be quite something to be so fierce that even swans would not dare defy you.’
‘It is,’ he agreed gravely.
For a beat, she held herself still, unsure whether he was jesting or whether he truly had that high an opinion of himself. The corner of his lip lifted slightly and she burst out laughing. He rewarded her with a full smile and her heart tripped beneath her breastbone. He was breathtakingly handsome when he was happy. It was a wonder all the women of London were not falling at his feet in a way that had nothing to do with his title and everything to do with him.
As he looked down at her his smile slowly faded. ‘I asked you on this outing,’ he said, more solemnly this time, ‘because I wanted to see how you fared after yesterday. You were very distressed and you left before I had time to check on you.’
Oh. That was rather lovely. Yet another courtesy she had not expected from the Dashworth family. ‘It is kind of you to do so,’ she said when it was apparent that he was waiting for an answer. ‘I am… fine. A little out of sorts perhaps, but I have had longer to adjust to what I told you yesterday than you have. You did not need to go to this effort.’
‘It is hardly a burden to take you for a ride. Why would you think that none of us would want to know how you were today?’
‘Because…’ It had not occurred to her that any of them would want to see her again after her revelations, but especially not him. The start to their relationship had been very rocky, and in all the words she had heard spoken about Tobias since her arrival, none of them had been about his compassion and thoughtfulness. No one had accused him of being a cruel man either; aloof and stern were the most common descriptors used. ‘Because…’ She shrugged, not sure how to put into words what she had been expecting.
When it was clear she could not answer, he said, ‘You have showed great bravery in everything you have done.’
‘No,’ she said, her heart cracking at the sincerity she could hear in his voice. ‘I have been scared and done things all wrong and…’
‘Charlotte is safe and in our care. When it comes down to it, Charlotte is what matters most. That she is with us is thanks to you and your actions. If you have been frightened in the process, then you were even more courageous than I have given you credit for.’ He paused, his dark eyes meeting hers. ‘And I have upset you again. I am sorry, for that was not my intention.’
Tears were gathering in her eyes and she blinked furiously, willing them not to spill. ‘I am not distressed.’
He made a noise in the back of his throat, which suggested he knew she was lying, but he was too much of a gentleman to point it out.
Using her thumb, she wiped away the tears and took in a shuddery breath. When she was calmer, she managed to say, ‘I promised Clare, not in reality obviously, but I swore to her memory that I would stop being such a watering pot. I have cried far too many times since that awful carriage crash which ended their lives. I know that she, and Sebastian, would want me to be happy, that they would want me to have a life without regret and sadness. They were both so full of joy, never more so than when they were together; people would pick up on it and would begin smiling just because they were in their orbit. I do think Clare, in particular, would be slightly disappointed by how much I have cried in the last day or so.’
‘I doubt it. I cannot presume to know the mind of your sister and it has been many years since I last spoke with Sebastian, however, I believe that, if they even had the slightest idea of what you have done for their daughter, they would be eternally grateful and would forgive you all manner of things. I can see that my words are having the opposite effect to what I intended and I am upsetting you further, soI shall stop. Let us talk of other matters, ones that are less painful. Perhaps I can find a way to inadvertently anger you again and you can take me to task. You seem to enjoy that.’
She laughed, even if the noise did sound watery. ‘I do not think I can be at odds with you if you are not either accusing me of trying to drown you or insinuating that I am trying to trap you into marriage.’
To her surprise, a light pink colour washed over his cheeks. ‘Once again, I was not trying to imply anything of the sort. I know that you do not have designs on my person. I…’
‘I know. I am teasing you.’
‘Oh.’ His shoulders loosened. ‘I see.’ He touched the brim of his hat. ‘I am not used to being teased.’
Her heart hurt a little at his confession. Everyone should be provoked, albeit in a friendly manner, at least some of the time. It kept one from becoming too full of one’s own importance, not to mention it meant there were people around you who knew your weaknesses and loved you just as much, if not more, for them.
