Page 106 of Duke of Sapphire

Ian stabbed his egg. “Ye’re bein’ dull.”

“I am being responsible,” Henry said.

Charlotte buttered the same piece of toast twice. Her hand shook.

Was it truly a kiss? It was so brief. So soft. Perhaps I imagined it. Perhaps I pressed more meaning into it than there was. Oh, this is insufferable.

Ian nudged her arm. “Charlotte, tell him he’s dull.”

“I am attempting to eat my breakfast,” she answered. The words came out thinner than she liked. “And I do not call Dukes dull at the table.”

“I do,” Ian muttered.

Henry turned a page. “You may refrain from that as well.”

Silence settled over the table, broken only by the rattle of china and Ian’s occasional sighs. Charlotte stared at her untouched toast.

If he wishes to pretend nothing occurred, I can do the same. I am entirely capable of pretense. I did it for years.

Her stomach fluttered again at the lie.

Henry saw them before they saw him.

He had come out of his study with a file in hand, intent on the steward. The corridor stretched long and straight to the main staircase. At the far end, Charlotte and Ian were walking side by side.

Ian was talking with his whole body, arms waving, head bobbing. Charlotte listened, head bent toward him, her hand resting lightly on his shoulder.

Henry stopped.

Turn back. Go the other way. There is another route to the morning room. No one will know.

Charlotte lifted her head. She saw him.

She stopped too.

They faced each other down the length of the corridor like two generals who had not prepared for this particular battle.

Her lips parted. He saw it even in the distance. She looked as if she were going to speak.

Then she closed her mouth again, the line of it tightening. Her hand dropped from Ian’s shoulder.

Ian squinted. “Are ye stuck?” he called.

Charlotte cleared her throat. “No. We are not stuck.”

Henry’s fingers tightened around the file.

For heaven’s sake. This is absurd. She is my wife. We have shared a bedchamber while traveling and a carriage. I cannot be brought to a standstill by the sight of her in a corridor.

He made himself take a step forward.

Charlotte took a small step too. Then she seemed to think better of it. She turned, put a hand on Ian’s shoulder again, and steered him in the opposite direction.

“We are going this way,” she said.

Ian dug in his heels. “But the library’s that way. Ye said we were goin’ to the library.”

“You need more sunshine,” Charlotte said briskly.