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She peered at him expectantly. “Is there any possibilityyoumight be interested in Miss Lockhart?”
Interested.That word could encompass many things. Did he want to converse with her about such inanities as the weather and the color of the ocean? Yes. Did he wish to dance with her or take her out in a dinghy on a tiny lake? Yes and yes. Did he desire the heat of her gaze upon him, the touch of her hand, the press of her lips against his? Holy hell, yes.
He looked over at her sitting next to his stepfather on the blanket. He could almost smell her lilac scent.
“No,” he said tightly, thinking that the constrained sound of that single word somehow approximated the feel of his breeches around his thickening cock. It was past time to leave.
His stepmother’s answering look indicated she didn’t entirely believe him, but he didn’t care to debate the point. “Well, if you were, I would endorse your suit.”
Of course she would. She wouldn’t care if Titus wished to court a washerwoman or a princess. She only wanted him to be happy. And that was why he loved her.
“I’m leaving now.” He took a step toward the path.
“Will you come for dinner later?” she asked.
During the Season, he typically had dinner with them once a week or so. But that was when it had just been the three of them. Now there was Nora, to whom he was apparently insanely attracted. “I don’t know. I have some things to read.”
She rolled her eyes but smiled too. “You always do. I hope we’ll see you. You know you’re always welcome.”
He chanced another glance at Nora and had the air sucked straight from his lungs when he saw she was looking right at him. Those inquisitive, gorgeous eyes of hers seemed as though they might pierce directly into his soul, if he let them.
And he wouldn’t. Of all the women he might finally allow into his life, she was the one he couldn’t consider. She was the one who’d eviscerate him if she ever discovered the role he’d played in her downfall—and rightly so.
Chapter Seven
Nora clutched the side of the small boat as it teetered precariously.
Mr. Dawson laughed warmly. “I’ve got it now, I think.” They’d been in the boat ten minutes, and he was having the devil of a time figuring out how to row properly. Nora feared they were going to end up swimming in the small lake.
The craft evened out, and Nora loosened her grip, though she kept one hand on the side. Why, she didn’t know. It wasn’t as if holding on to the boat would save her from a dunking if they tipped over. She wondered if Kendal would’ve had such trouble and instantly doubted it. His entire demeanor suggested he commanded everything he did. He wouldn’t allow a small watercraft to be a nuisance.
She looked over at Mr. Dawson, with whom she’d danced last night. He was a pleasant fellow perhaps five years her senior. A widower, he was on the hunt for a wife—and a mother for his two children back in Sussex. He seemed an affable sort, quick to laugh and charm, with an ever-ready smile lighting his acorn-brown eyes.
His light brown wavy hair fell across his forehead, and he pushed it back as he fought to turn the boat back toward the dock. “My apologies, Miss Lockhart. I’m afraid I’m not much of a sportsman. However, if you desire an engaging chess match or game of cards, I’m your fellow.”
Nora worked to ignore the rocking of the boat. She’d suffered worse during their short jaunt, but she’d feel much better when they were back on land. “As a matter of fact, I enjoy chess immensely. My father taught me to play when I was younger.” Before he’d withdrawn into himself after Mother had died.
Mr. Dawson inclined his head. “Excellent. I look forward to playing with you some time.”
That he spoke of some future activity surprised Nora. Did that mean he was interested in courting her? She was woefully out of practice when it came to this game. If she’d ever been any good at it. One could argue she was an abject failure at husband hunting.
They were headed toward another craft. Nora put both hands on the sides again as she tensed. “Careful of the other boat,” she said, perhaps stating the obvious. However, she wanted to be certain Mr. Dawson saw them.
He dug the oar deeper into the water as he worked to alter their course. “Yes, I see them. This is just so…difficult.” He grimaced as he barely managed to divert the boat. The man rowing the other boat had acted quickly and was probably the reason they’d avoided a glancing collision.
As it was, the two crafts came abreast of each other and exchanged friendly waves. Nora overheard what the woman in the other boat said to her companion, “Did you see the Forbidden Duke? Lady Faversham said he was here, but I didn’t see him.”
“I did not, but I daresay she was mistaken,” the gentleman replied. “He doesn’t attend gatherings like this.”
“That’s what I said. But she was most insistent.”
Nora didn’t say a word as the growing distance between them prevented her from hearing any more of their conversation.
Mr. Dawson let his hands go slack with the oars hovering above the surface of the water. “We are approaching land at last.” He flashed her a self-deprecating smile. “You must be terribly relieved.”
“Will you dislike me if I say I am?”
He laughed. “Heavens, no, I shall respect your honesty.”
