Page 51 of Distracting the Duke

Clara selected some green silk thread from their basket and compared its color to the leaves of the fuchsia she was copying. Her fingers trembled slightly. If Ellie was truly not keen on Ulvercombe, then maybe, just maybe, Clara and the duke would be able to act on their mutual attraction without anybody getting hurt.

But no, that was a selfish thought. She quashed it immediately.

“But you are at least beginning to like him better?” she queried. “Or has he done something to upset you?”

“Not at all. But…he has seemed more intense of late and hasn’t smiled once in three days, ever since our picnic on the beach. He seems more distant than ever. I’m certain I have even caught him scowling at me.”

Clara lowered her embroidery to her lap. “What possible reason could he have to do that? You’ve been perfectly behaved toward him. No one could fault you.”

Clara clamped her jaw. More likely, she had done something to put Ulvercombe out of sorts.

“I can’t fault the duke’s manners. I just don’t enjoy his lack of warmth,” Ellie said softly. Her lips curved up. “Lord Snettisham is far friendlier.”

Clara picked up her sewing again. “On better acquaintance with the duke, I’m sure you will find him perfectly amiable. Perhaps he has dyspepsia at the moment, or there’s something on his mind of a business nature, which has made him seem less approachable.”

Ellie twirled a golden lock of hair around her finger. “I don’t suppose you would speak to him?”

Clara’s needle stilled. “Me? What would you have me say to a dyspeptic duke?”

Ellie’s slender shoulder lifted. “You could ask if I’ve done something to displease him.”

“Of course you haven’t! You couldn’t make anyone cross. It’s nothing to do with you, I’m quite sure.”

Ellie fluttered her long lashes and gave Clara a forlorn look. “I would feel so much more confident if I knew for certain. He just seems so…forbidding.”

Clara gave up and placed her needlework in her workbasket. “Very well, I’ll seek him out and see what is responsible for his mood. But I’m certain it’s nothing more serious than indigestion, you’ll see. Too much Cromer crab, I’ll be bound.”

Ellie chuckled. “If you say so.”

Honestly, Ulvercombe really should make more of an effort not to frighten the poor girl.

Fleetingly, she thought of asking her newfound confidant, Lord Snettisham, what had put the duke so out of sorts. But that was a coward’s way out. She must beard the lion in his den herself.

Leaving Ellie to her sewing, Clara tracked Ulvercombe down to his study. She knocked softly on the door and entered at his peremptory, “What is it?”

“Forgive my intrusion, sir.”

The duke, who had been sitting at his desk examining an impressively sized ledger, got to his feet immediately and ushered her into a chair before returning to his own seat. With the great walnut desk between them she felt safe, and hopeful that they could conduct their discussion in a businesslike fashion.

“I take it from your expression that this is not a social visit,” he said, steepling his fingers in front of his mouth.

“I wasn’t aware I had any particular expression on my face.”

“There’s a glint in your eye I now recognize, and it bodes not well for me. What is my current crime, pray?”

Oh dear. She might as well just tell him directly. “Forgive my outspokenness— Don’t roll your eyes. I already know your opinion of me. Please imagine I’m waving a white flag above my head as a sign I wish to parley.”

“You come in the spirit of peace? Or…surrender? How very unexpected.”

She gave a little huff of impatience. “I’d be grateful if you would just let me speak candidly.”

He opened his mouth, gazed at her for a moment, then nodded. “You have my undivided attention.”

She took a steadying breath. “You have seemed much distracted and out of sorts these past few days. Ellie has remarked upon it and finds your mood altogether intimidating.”

He digested her words in silence for a moment, then stood and came around to her side of the desk. He leaned back against it, arms folded across his chest.

“I see. I wasn’t aware. I thought I was being the perfect host and am most disappointed to discover I was mistaken.”