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But she couldn’t forget the look on his face when he’d expressed his dislike for secrets. That she’d kept this information from him for so long would be a strike against her. Worse, he might think she’d been laughing at him behind his back for his failure to recognize her.
“I’ll take your silence as a no.”
She winced as she met his gaze. “It’s a ‘not at present.’ I’m still writing the first draft, and there’s much I’ll need to fix in edits.”
It was only a half-truth. She knew that one day she would have to tell him about their meeting that night in the tavern. But if, like her first novel, no one wanted to publish this book, she might not have to tell him.
What was it about this man that had her wanting to avoid the possibility he might come to think ill of her?
“I’ll hold you to that. I haven’t had much time of late to enjoy fiction, not with all the estate records with which I’ve needed to familiarize myself when I’m not out visiting tenants and overseeing the land. When you’re ready, however, I would be honored to read it.”
She couldn’t help but think this man was nearly too perfect. She’d almost expected him to pout or to insist, but instead, he respected her need for time. And his patience only served to make him more attractive.
Which, of course, brought to mind Mr. Markham’s desire that she and Lowenbrock wed. She forced her thoughts away from that possibility since the marquess clearly didn’t think of her in such a manner.
She looked away, uncomfortable under his intense regard. She did not need the embarrassment of Lowenbrock realizing she found him captivating. “Distract me with another subject. Please.”
He let out a soft chuckle. “As a matter of fact, there was something else I wanted to speak to you about.”
She took a sip of her wine and looked at him. “As long as it isn’t about me, then proceed.”
He glanced down at her plate with a small frown. “I’ve kept you from eating with my chatter. And if you don’t finish, Cook might withhold dessert.”
Amelia chuckled and took another bite of her fish. She wouldn’t put it past the woman to do just that.
They fell into a companionable silence as they ate, but Amelia kept stealing glances at him. Their eyes met often, but thankfully there was no awkwardness. He finished first and waited for her to complete the meal as well.
Her curiosity would no longer be put off. Taking one last sip of her wine, she waved for the footman to remove their plates and begin serving their dessert course, a delicious blancmange.
“What was it you wished to discuss with me?” She took a bite of the dessert and closed her eyes in appreciation. When she opened them again, she caught a strange look on Lowenbrock’s face.
He shook his head and took his own bite before meeting her gaze again. “I’ve been meeting with the tenants over the past month. Trying to get to know them.”
She smiled. “I’m sure they appreciated that. Many of them were quite distraught when Uncle passed away, as was I. We had no way of knowing whether an heir would even be found.”
She had to look away when he brought the dessert to his mouth but was unable to understand why the simple act of watching him savor the treat made her feel uncomfortable.
“Trust me when I say that the news I was now the Marquess of Lowenbrock came as even more of a surprise to me.”
“Well, the tenants couldn’t have asked for someone better. I’m sure it’s obvious to everyone who meets you that you aren’t the type to take advantage of your new wealth to their disadvantage.”
“Stop, I’m blushing.”
His tone was even, as was his color, and Amelia couldn’t help the surprised laugh that burst forth. When heat began to color his cheeks at her reaction, her laughter grew less ladylike. It took about ten seconds before he was laughing as well.
“If my friends were here, they’d never let me hear the end of this. You have to promise you won’t tell them about having made me blush when they arrive for the ball.” His lips twisted slightly on the last word.
Amelia pressed her lips together and mimed the action of closing a lock.
“Thank you,” he said with a dip of his head. His mouth quirked in amusement. “For some reason, the weather has been abysmally cold this summer. Most of the tenants are worried about their crops failing. To ease their worries, Jeffers suggested a summer fair. Something to improve their moods, even if only temporarily.” He gave a casual shrug. “It didn’t take much to convince me. I’ve been to my share of country festivals in my youth and find that I’ve missed them. If anyone deserves some time to enjoy themselves, it would be the families who toil so hard.”
Amelia was grinning when he finished. “Do you plan to attend?”
He nodded. “And I hoped you would accompany me. If you wouldn’t mind, that is.”
“If I wouldn’t mind?” Did this man know nothing about women? “I would love to!”
“I’m relieved to hear you say that. I’m finding it difficult to remember everyone’s name. I still can’t believe so many people are dependent on my decisions.”
