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“No. Quite the opposite. You look perfect,” she returned. This time there was no mistaking the slight derision in her tone.
“Now, why do I feel as though I should apologize for being the object of your very flattering compliment?”
She looked at him sharply before her sense of humor tickled her and she said, “Oh, I didn’t mean quite anything by it…only just… well… you are what Vern would say is top sawyer material, a rogue of sorts…and if you weren’t so large, perhaps even a Bow Street Dandy.”
“Oh now, I do object!” he said with some heat. “A dandy, indeed!”
She laughed. “No, no. Of course not a dandy! Everything about you is a shade too sporting for that, in spite of your fashionable cut.” She eyed him, saw that his thighs were
muscular and his shoulders broad, she realized what she was doing and looked away. “You are, however, not the sort…I just can’t see you pining away for some woman. You don’t have the look of a man who has lost the love of his life.”
He smiled at her, “Don’t I? What should a man look like when he has lost the love of his life?”
“Ah, a good question. I have a dear friend…actually a friend of my brother’s and when he lost Lucy to consumption…he couldn’t eat, drink or even smile. He almost withered away before Vern and his friends were able to get him through it and it took months upon months. Of course, he was only a few years older than Vern at the time, but it made a lasting impression on me.”
“Perhaps I just am not the sort that pines in that way?” he returned thoughtfully.
“Indeed. Even so, you just don’t appear to be quite totally devastated. Thus, I can’t say you look as though you have a broken heart.” She eyed him and added, “No, it doesn’t make sense. Any of it. Tell me why she wouldn’t accept your suit, for you are quite handsome, sporting, titled and from the look of you, well able to take care of a wife…” she sighed and stopped herself.
“Ho, although I am enjoying all this flattery, I hear a but coming.”
She smiled, “Indeed, I am curious…you are all these things, but…your lady actually still said no?”
“Love is a peculiar thing. She loved someone else and I didn’t realize it in time. I did an outrageous thing…unspeakable…” he still couldn’t believe that he had actually abducted Lady Babs.
“Oh? I wonder what that unspeakable thing was?” she said curiously. “However, I fear you aren’t quite ready to speak of it yet, so tell me, who was your rival?” Star asked with sympathy lining her words.
“Ah, suffice it to say that he was quite a catch.”
“I see. Still, I find it hard to imagine that she did not fall in love with you and all your charms.”
He laughed, “Again, I am not sure if you are baiting me or complimenting me. Baiting me no doubt.” He sighed. “No, to answer you, she never allowed my charms as you say to overcome those of my rival.”
“He must have been someone very special indeed…at least to her,” she said almost to herself.
Sir Edward laughed with genuine appreciation, “Why, thank you, and yes, I suppose one might think a duke quite special indeed.”
“A duke?” she returned with interest. “How exciting, you lost out to no one less than a duke, but tell me, who…which duke?”
“Ah, some things I must keep to myself,” he answered softly.
“Does that mean you will never tell me?”
“Probably not.”
“Not even when you know me better?” she pursued.
“If instinct serves me, there will be even less chance of my telling you when I get to know you better.” He grinned broadly at her and reached over to flick her nose.
She liked his touch. She smiled softly and told him, “That is most disagreeable of you, but never mind, I shall work on it.” Her eyes twinkled, for they had reached the small pasture behind the Madison stables. Star was all too aware that she didn’t want these moments with him to end.
“Here is where we part company, for that is Georgie’s place,” she said.
“Tell me, do you attend the Sefton Ball tonight?” he asked curiously.
Star sighed heavily. She had wanted to go to this ball above all things, even more so when she realized that Sir Edward would be there. He was entertaining and conversation with him was easy and lively.
In addition to that, she and Georgie had helped one another with their gowns. They had taken their mother’s beautiful ball gowns, adjusted, trimmed, cut, sewn and come up with masterpieces. How sad to think they would not get to wear them.
