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The duke nodded. “You need only send word when you are ready.”
He assumed Jack would give in. Perhaps they always did when he commanded. And people here couldn’t believe a man would refuse to be an earl.
“If there’s anything you need…”
“Nothing.” Thinking only of Harriet Finch, Jack made cursory farewells. And as soon as the duke had gone, he rushed through the woods toward Winstead Hall. Jack was so distracted that he nearly ran afoul of one of the watchers at the border. He evaded him at the last moment and eeled his way into the gardens surrounding the house.
The day was waning. Lights had begun to show in the windows. There was no one about. He thought of knocking at the kitchen door and asking for Miss Finch. But that would rouse questions and perhaps a great furor. Her grandfather might have him tossed out.
Nearly overcome with frustration, Jack realized the Earl of Ferrington would be in a totally different position when he came to this house.Hewouldn’t have to fight his way in.Hewould be welcome.Hecould walk in and see Miss Finch any time he liked. His proposal of marriage would delight her family. No one would snubhim. Jack rather liked that notion, even as he—ridiculously—resented this carefree earl. But perhaps change was for the best, and he should become that man. As soon as he reached Miss Finch and prepared her. He must talk to her alone, not in a crowd of people fawning over the newfound earl. Not before he figured out how tobethat nobleman.
He turned away. He would write a note. Surely there was paper and pen somewhere about the camp. He would ask Miss Finch to meet him. Urgently. He could slip it under the front door and let a servant find it.
***
“I’ve done it,” the Duke of Tereford told his wife when he returned to Ferrington Hall.
“It?”
“I found the earl.”
“In the Travelers’ camp?”
He gazed at her with fond exasperation. “Must you always be a step ahead of me, Cecelia?”
She spread her hands. “Knowing about his mother, the coincidence was too great.”
“Yes, but you might have pretended to be surprised and impressed.”
The duchess smiled. She clasped her hands and offered him a wide-eyed gaze. “Oh, James, how clever you are!”
“Unconvincing,” he replied. His lips twitched, but he resisted the smile.
“Well, you wouldn’t wish me to pretend admiration.”
“Wouldn’t I?” He shrugged. “Not when you don’t feel it,” he conceded.
“You know very well how I feel about you. I love you with all my heart.”
He met her steady gaze and held it for a long moment. “Likewise.”
The duchess smiled. “Likewise? Is that the best you can do?”
“Oh, I can do better. I will show you later on.”
Her cheeks reddened. “I merely gave you credit for being as intelligent as I am,” she added.
“Now there is a compliment!”
“And thus, I assumed you had drawn similar conclusions.”
“How can it be so enflaming when you saythus?”
“I suppose it is one of my special talents.”
“You have so many of those.”
Her flush deepened.
