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“For other people.” He put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “We could simply abandon Tresigan, you know. It may not be worth saving.”
She started to object.
“Or hire a crew of workmen to set it to rights and leave them to it. I could take you to a perfectly delightful house party.”
“Where?”
“I would find one.”
“You are so certain of invitations?”
His smile was assured rather than smug.
“Of course you are, oh nonpareil. But I can’t go away now. I have to charm the elder Pendrennons.”
The duke raised dark brows. “Why? They seem rather dull people.”
“So that they will welcome Sarah into their family.”
“Does that actually follow?”
“I don’t know. But I must see what I can do.”
“For your friend.” His smile warmed with understanding. “I see. Another mission of mercy. Very well. I’ll lend a hand. Just don’t drag in that strange fellow at Tresigan.”
Cecelia’s kiss was more of a distraction than an answer, and they both knew it.
Seven
There was no doubt that the Duchess of Tereford was delightful, Kenver thought at dinner that evening. And anyone could see why the duke was a darling of society. He kept up an easy flow of conversation and anecdotes without dominating the group. He drew interesting tidbits out of the others. Even Papa. Kenver couldn’t remember a livelier dinner at Poldene. What he didn’t understand was why this glittering pair was making such an effort with his parents. Yes, houseguests were expected to be pleasant and contribute to the entertainment of their hosts. But Mama and Papa had offered none of the attractions of a fashionable house party. The Terefords might be grateful for a comfortable place to stay, since Tresigan was practically a ruin. But their efforts far exceeded the value they’d received in return. Perhaps social graces were simply so engrained in them that charm had become automatic.
Then he began to notice that the duchess was steering the conversation in a particular way. First she mentioned Sarah’s dear friend the Duchess of Compton. The details of her society wedding were reviewed, making it obvious that Sarah had attended. She shifted to Sarah’s stay with another school chum, the Countess of Ferrington, earlier this summer. She drew Sarah out with questions about these notables, familiarly Ada and Harriet, making clear that they had a long history together and were truly close.
Kenver could see that his mother was startled by these elevated connections, hardly those of a countrified nobody. And after a while, he realized that he was a bit surprised himself. He’d been thinking of Sarah—desirable, adorable Sarah—as his sweet little wife. Full of amusing ideas, tender and kind, but not the confidante of duchesses. He was happy to learn more about her.
Looking up, Kenver found his mother staring balefully at him, as if he’d arranged her humiliation by the Duchess of Tereford. Which of course he hadn’t. And in any case, it wasn’t humiliation. Or only if she insisted on seeing it so. With this, Kenver acknowledged that the repairs in the state suite had been pure fabrication. There’d been no patch of damp. He hadn’t missed seeing it. He felt a flash of anger.
Sarah burst out laughing at a clever quip from the duke. Thank God the fellow was married already, Kenver thought. One wouldn’t want to compete withhim.
He watched Sarah in sidelong glances. She looked happier now with her friends than she ever had at Poldene. Laughter lit her features. He was glad to see her so. But the addition of the duchess to their little society also put a bit of distance between them. Sarah had someone else to turn to, a companion she was much better acquainted with. He heard them making plans for the following day and understood that he was no part of them. Neither was the duke apparently, but that seemed small consolation.
Though the evening seemed endless, it did finally end. The houseguests retired to their controversial suite. Sarah went as well. Before his parents could say anything to him, Kenver also escaped, heading for the side entrance into the gardens.
“Where are you going?”
Kenver started and turned to find Sarah in a dim corner behind him. Had she been waiting for him? His heart leapt at the thought. “Out for a walk,” he replied.
“In the dark?”
“I know the grounds very well, and there’s a half-moon.”
“May I come? I’m not sleepy.”
Her wistful tone touched him. “Of course. You will want a shawl.”
“I don’t need it.”
“The sea wind is cool in the evening.”
