Page 7 of No Duke of Mine

“Perhaps,” Algernon said, but he usually guarded his opinions of others for those who deserved to hear them.

“Now, I know I should go up and check on my beloved wife soon, but I think an ale is in order first. Will you join me?”

“Indeed.” Algernon ordered an ale for them both and sat with his back to the view of the road, deciding that as long as he could hear the rain, there was nothing else to see outside.

He was nearly done with his first tankard when a small figure appeared in the distant dining room, whose doors had been left open to allow others to freely use the space to stretch their legs. She paused in the doorway and looked out into the taproom, and their eyes met again.

Algernon felt a jolt of recognition. The same as he had yesterday. But he couldn’t imagine why he thought he knew her.

He leaned across to the other guest and asked, “What was the lady’s name?”

“I don’t know that I ever heard it. We were in a bit of a state yesterday and eager to reach our room. Introductions were not performed, I’m afraid.” He shrugged. “Perhaps my wife could find out for you. I could go upstairs and ask her.”

The woman suddenly beckoned him to join her in the dining room.

“No, that’s quite all right,” Algernon said quickly, immediately rising to his feet, irrationally compelled by that small, demanding hand to obey. “Do excuse me, Keane.”

The fellow muttered something in response, but Algernon’s whole body was fixed on meeting the bookish widow who could hopefully enliven his day.

He hurried towards the dining room, entered the space and, on instinct, shut the door behind him.

The widow was at the window, her back to him. She had dark hair and a nice figure—somewhat shorter than him—and was well-dressed. Well…reasonably well-dressed. She was obviously not a wealthy widow.

She turned slowly. “Did your carriage break down?”

She was a bold one, this widow, and Algernon liked that in women. “Yes,” he said, edging closer in the hope of identifying her voice before she noticed his confusion. “Before we could reach the next bridge, in fact.”

“Ah. It is a great shame the rain did not hold off for one more day. We might have all made it through unscathed. Or was it providence that it rained when it did, forcing you to slow down for a change?” she asked, raising one brow.

Algernon was intrigued. Most women did not immediately speak to him like this, as if they were accustomed to casual conversation with him. The title conferred on him as a young man had set him apart for most of his life. His elevation to duke had created a formality with people he had known for years.

He drew closer, sizing her up. Yes, a little on the short side for his taste. She had a pleasant round face, intelligent, deep brown eyes, and, if he was not mistaken, an appreciation for his figure, too, given how her gaze drifted over him.

His scalp tingled when she glanced up at his hair and grinned. “Have you lost your hairbrush?”

He quickly raked his fingers through it and heard her laugh softly.

“Still vain, I see.”

But the sound of her laughter was pleasant, rather than mean-spirited, and he knew he’d heard that laugh before. He just couldn’t say from where still.

“Madam, are we acquainted?” he asked, little caring if he offended by not remembering her identity.

“Oh, intimately.” She laughed at the shock he could not hide. “I gather I have changed a great deal since our last encounter. Everyone does, I suppose.”

“Madam, I don’t believe that it could be true that we’ve met before,” he complained, irritated by her game. “You’re the sort of woman a man would commit to memory. Presumptuous.”

“Presumptuous? Yes, well, my father said that about me often. He said I embarrassed him,” she replied, and then shrugged. “He also said you would not appreciate my sense of humor. But I only ever teased you as much as you would tease me.”

He drew back, staring at her. “I enjoy a good jest as much as the next man, but women do not taunt me unless they are prepared for the consequences.”

“Are you dangerous now? Or do you despise females as much as your father used to?”

“I’m not dangerous unless it is to a lady’s virtue.” He promised. “My father never understood that the feminine intellect is not so different from our own.”

“I’m surprised you would admit that, since you once claimed your sex possessed a greater intelligence.” She smiled, her eyes sparkled with unconcealed mirth.

She was enjoying his confusion immensely.