Page 6 of The Duke and the Spinster

If he gave the veriest hint of that, he would never have any peace – his mother would hound him about it forever. After a few moments, his mother seemed to decide that acceptance was easiest.

“An excellent decision. I’m glad that you are coming to your senses about your social obligations.”

He didn’t bother to respond, already allowing his thoughts to drift to the picnic planned for that afternoon, and wondering what Lady Juliana might have to say, to surprise him again.

~~~~~

Juliana settled onto the blanket which had been set out on the grass near the rather attractive lake on the Hallingbrook Grange property. Eleanor was fussing about, as usual, worried that her gown might get grass stained. Juliana simply sat. But she was not looking at the view. She was watching the steady trickle of people walking across the lawns towards the designated picnic area.

Her heart thudded faster than usual, and foolish hope rose in her breast, despite her best attempts to repress it. She wanted to see him again, to talk to him again. The Duke. The only man who had ever treated her as an intelligent being, and actually listened to what she said. ‘The only man’, whispered the small voice in her head, ‘who has ever managed to cause you to dance successfully, without even one stumble’.

That thought made her remember how it had felt, to be held in his arms, to move amongst the other dancers as if she belonged there. To be surrounded by his scent. Oh, and what a scent! She wanted to meet the parfumier who had made it, to know where it came from, and what ingredients went into it. And then she wanted to try to make something even half as good.

Another cluster of gentlemen approached, followed by a collection of footmen bearing the baskets of food and drink, ready to serve the guests. She watched the men closely, but he was not there. She turned her eyes away for a moment, staring out across the lake, forcing herself not to sigh sadly – it would never do to give Eleanor any chance to tease her – which would most definitely happen if she even suspected, in the slightest degree, that Juliana was smitten. Which she was, she admitted to herself – completely.

“Oh look! Ducks! And they have tiny baby ones, swimming behind them! Aren’t they adorable?”

Juliana obediently looked. There were ducks, and yes, they were rather appealing.

“Yes, Eleanor, I see them, and yes, they are rather adorable – aren’t all babies like that, of any kind?”

“Well yes. Do stop being so logical at me, Juliana!”

Juliana turned back to look towards the house, and her breath stopped. There he was, walking towards the lake. He looked, in the warm afternoon light, even more handsome than he had by the light of the chandeliers in the ballroom. He moved with such powerful grace, his perfectly fitted clothes enhancing his lean, muscled frame. She flushed, just looking at him, at the thought of the body beneath those clothes. She had felt that strength when he had drawn her to him to dance.

Finally, her body forced her to breathe again, with a little gasp. She dragged her eyes away from him, turning to watch the ducks as they left a V shaped wake behind them on the still water of the lake. Her heartbeat settled a little, and she managed to breathe normally. At least for a few minutes.

“Good afternoon my Lord, my Ladies. I trust that you are well today. Might I join you, if there is room here?”

Her breathing ceased again, and her heart raced. Slowly, as if the air were treacle, she turned, hearing her father respond.

“Of course, Your Grace, these blankets are more than adequate to seat another. Thank you for favouring us with your presence.”

She watched as he lowered himself smoothly to sit.

He was not two feet away from her. For a moment, she felt dizzy, as if the world was spinning around her. Again, her breathing resumed with a slight gasp, and the world steadied. He heard it. His eyes met hers, filled with genuine concern.

“Are you well, Lady Juliana?”

How was she supposed to answer that? She thought desperately for a moment, as he continued to watch her.

“I… yes Your Grace, I am well. But I fear that I have just discovered an unwelcome, and most poorly placed pin, lurking in the hem of my gown.”

He laughed – a gentle, sympathetic laugh, with nothing of mockery in it. Relief flooded through her – he had accepted her excuse. For she could not have been honest and told him that the mere sight of him took her breath away – that would never do.

Eleanor looked at her, as if very much doubting her words, but, thankfully, said nothing.

“Ah. An issue that gentlemen do not risk, fortunately. The very thought of sharp objects in my clothing makes me wince.”

His eyes twinkled with good humour as he spoke and, to Juliana, there was a tone in his voice, something about his manner, that seemed different from any other conversation she had ever had with a man. Not that there had been many of those, beyond talking to her father.

It was almost, she realised, as if he were flirting with her. And her analytical mind could not help but consider his words – where might a pin be accidentally left in a gentleman’s clothing? And what part of his anatomy might it prick?

That thought was enough to make her blush, instantly.

Eleanor chose that moment to insert herself into their conversation.

“Your Grace, have you seen the adorable ducks on this lake? I do declare that they add just the touch to the view – it’s enough to make me wish that I had brought my paints and could capture the scene.”