Page 32 of His Duchess to Remember

“They don’t ken what they’re missing,” he quipped. “Truth be told, if they saw me in my kilt, they’d be green with envy.”

She tried to imagine the ton’s gentlemen all dressed in kilts and immediately squashed the thought: that was far too many bare legs to dwell upon.

Still, Malcolm did have very pleasing calves. Had he worn his kilt tonight, Octavia had no doubt that countless ladies would be swooning at the sight of them. Of him. Especially with that radiant smile of his.

No one will believe it is the same person.

A faint chill ran through her, envisioning the gossip that might circulate. Malcolm had never really been present in society, which was part of the reason she had fixed her hopes on him, but the few occasions when he had attended a ball or gathering had left a lasting impression.

The scandal sheets had talked about him for weeks, labeling him a ‘brooding beast’ and a ‘handsome terror’ and a ‘chilling addition to the London Season.’ The comments had been retracted, considering his status as a war hero, but the damage had already been done.

“That shade of blue becomes ye well,” he said, snatching her attention back. “It makes yer skin glow. It’s like moonlight. Which, I suppose, must make the freckles on yer nose and cheeks the sky’s prettiest constellations.”

She snapped her fan open and wafted it furiously at her face to cool the heat before it could redden her.

“You should not say such things,” she scolded, hating that she was secretly delighted.

“Why nae? A man can’t speak the truth to his wife?” Malcolm challenged with mischief in his eyes.

She shot him a look over the top of her fan. “Your plan will not work, Your Grace. Nor should it. You could regain your memories at any moment and, I promise you, you will be shocked that you are even riding in the same carriage as me.”

“Aye, but my plan is nae to regain them,” he said, startling her. “It has been weeks since the accident, and I don’t remember a thing. I don’t think they’re coming back.”

“Do not say that!” she rasped.

“Ye don’t think it’s better this way?”

Her mouth opened to retort, but no words came out. Instead, her mind faltered.

He is amusing, he is charming, he is pleasant to be around, he is earnest, and Simon is happier than I have ever seen him.

She shook off the thoughts. There was no use in thinking that way, when Doctor Stanforth had warned her that her husband could change at any moment. Just because Malcolm wanted to stay like this did not mean that he would.

More worryingly, who was to say that if Malcolm regained his memories, he would have any memory of what had occurred since his accident?

“Octavia?” he said her name so softly that her heart tried its very best to melt.

She resumed her hard glance. “I think it is a fruitless discussion.”

They fell back into that uncomfortable silence, interrupted only by the evening sounds of larks and doves, and the crunch of the carriage wheels on the country roads. More than once, Octavia wished to break that interminable quiet, but she held her tongue.

Before long, the carriage passed through the gates of Joan and Laurence’s estate, trundling down the pleasant driveway until it came to a halt outside the front doors.

Malcolm stepped out without waiting for the footman and turned to offer his hand.

With no choice but to accept, Octavia put her hand in his and allowed him to help her down.

What she had not anticipated, however, was the way he immediately put his arm around her waist and, with an encouraging smile, led her up the steps and into the entrance hall.

A small group had gathered there in the foyer, drinks in hand, whispering to one another. The gossipmongers who liked to see which guests were arriving.

Octavia’s heart plummeted as their conversation stopped and all eyes turned toward the newcomers.

“Is that…?” someone whispered.

“It must be,” someone else whispered back, though not as discreetly.

“I cannot remember the last time I saw the Duke of Highcastle in society,” another commented, adding with a snort, “Then again, I cannot remember the last time I saw the Duchess of Highcastle in society either.”