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“I think you should open the door, Your Grace.”
Perhaps he did have his answer. The duke requested her presence and she knew her duty. Damn.
“I wanted to apologize,” he said quietly. “What I did was inexcusable.”
“You apologized earlier. Now if you will excuse me, I must get ready for dinner,” she replied in a tight voice.
“One more thing, if you please,” Will said firmly. “Tomorrow I plan to take the older children out for a drive. I would like you to attend with us.”
“I have no need to see Hyde Park, Your Grace.”
“I have no intention of going to Hyde Park, Elizabeth. We shall take a drive through some of the other sections of London. You will ride with us.”
She tightened her jaw at his demand, but nodded. “As you wish.” She stood to leave and then stopped as if to say more. Instead, she merely said, “Please excuse me now.”
He let her go. At some point, she would have to get used to being in the same room with him again. They had too much to do, between getting Ellie and Lucy ready and helping him prepare for Society. He stared up at the portrait of the former duke and knew exactly how to get her alone again.
With a smile, he walked toward the salon to wait for everyone to assemble for dinner. He pour
ed four glasses of sherry and handed one to Lucy and Ellie as they walked into the room.
“I really don’t think I like this,” Ellie complained as she took a sip. The pursed look on her face almost made him laugh.
“I like it,” Lucy said before taking a rather large drink.
Looking around the room, Will was impressed with the progress Elizabeth had made with the children. They were all dressed for dinner, including the boys, and they had entered the room quietly.
Finally, Elizabeth walked into the room. He handed her a glass of sherry and smiled down at her. She wore a lavender gown with off-white lace that showed the beautiful swell of her lightly freckled breasts. He had such an urge to find and kiss every freckle on her body.
So much for getting himself under control.
“How did you enjoy your ride today?” She turned and asked the children.
“I saw two swans!” Sarah said as she bounced her bottom on the chair.
“You must have driven by the Serpentine,” Elizabeth commented. “It is one of my favorite spots.”
“Are there serpents in there?” Robert asked.
“No, just a lot of water fowl,” Elizabeth replied with a laugh.
The footman announced dinner and the children walked toward the dining room. Will clasped Elizabeth’s arm to stop her.
“William?”
He waited until the children left the room. “Thank you for what you have done with them. It’s only been a little over a week, and yet, they are doing so much better.”
She smiled and looked down where his hand touched her bare skin. “You are very welcome. The governess and tutor will make even more significant progress.”
“I also hoped you would do me a favor.”
“Oh?” She glanced back up at him, her green eyes shining with confusion.
“I think in order for me to learn more about my position here, I need to understand my background. My family history. Well, our family history. My father never really discussed how we were related to the late duke, or how my side of the family fit in.”
She blinked and nodded slowly. “I think that is a lovely idea. I can teach you and the girls the family history after our daily etiquette lessons.”
“I don’t think the girls need this information just yet. But, I do. So after dinner we will start.” He released her arm and held out his arm to escort her into the dining room.
