Chapter 5
“How are you feeling today, my dearest?” her mother asked.
Only then did Lavinia remember that she was supposed to be sick the night before. “Starving, Mother,” she said truthfully.
The Baroness’s face contorted with worry.
The early morning in the summer always made the finest view, even more striking than a blossoming morning in the spring.
But that was just Lavinia’s opinion. The previous night ended so late that the guests had not awoken from their slumber, but she had always been an early riser, and so was her mother.
As was routine, they met at the breakfast table in the sunroom. They bathed in the early sun while the maid poured their morning tea.
“I was supposed to send a tray to your room, but Abigail didn’t tell me that you wanted anything,” her mother said, reminding her that it was her fault she was ravenous in the morning.
Lavinia looked down at her hands. Because she was not wearing her gloves, she could easily see a smear of ink on her index finger.
Drat!
She lifted a cloth napkin from the table and scrubbed at the spot. As she worked, memories of the previous night flashed through her mind. She remembered the way the Duke had nibbled on her fingers and then how he had come so close to kissing her.
Her heart beat erratically in her chest, causing her to scrub her finger more vigorously.
I hope I do not see him here.
But the heavens must have loathed her, because just then, her mother exclaimed, “Your Grace!”
Lavinia knew several dukes were in attendance at the house party, but there was no doubt in her mind that the gentleman being addressed was the Duke of Pemberton.
Why me? Why must he be here, and now?
She closed her eyes and sighed.
Breathe. Just breathe. No one knows that I was in the Duke’s room last night, and hopefully, His Grace will not feel inclined to share that information with anyone.
With that thought resounding in her mind, Lavinia’s eyes flew open.
Oh, please let him show some decorum. Please do not let him tell Mama what transpired between us.
Her fingers tingled, so she interlocked them, then thrust them into her lap, effectively hiding the ink spots and the sense of his lingering touch underneath the table.
“I’m so glad you could join us for breakfast,” her mother said with much enthusiasm.
Lavinia dared to sneak a peek at the Duke and found that he looked quite dashing. His blonde locks were tied back into a low ponytail, but errant wisps framed his face, giving him a windswept look. His light brown eyes were bright with exertion, and there were pink spots high on his cheeks.
Has he been running? Or perhaps gone out riding this morning?
“I must introduce you two!” her mother added as he drew to a stop next to them. Her bangles jingled as she swept her hand toward Lavinia. “This is my daughter, Miss Lavinia Fitzroy.” Her eyes glinted with pure pleasure. “She is my greatest treasure.”
“Mama,” Lavinia hissed, slightly embarrassed by the praise.
“It is an honor to meet you, Miss Fitzroy.” Peter took her hand and brushed his lips over her knuckles.
Although Lavinia meant to show resistance, or at the very least, jerk away quickly, she couldn’t ignore the flutter in her stomach at the brush of his lips. The caress was brief, but she could not deny the effect it had on her.
“I must say, you look quite lovely in the light of day,” he murmured.
Lady Crawford squinted her eyes as if analyzing his words. “Have you met before?” she asked, looking between them.
Lavinia cringed and hurried to come up with an acceptable response.
“Oh no, Mother. It seems the Duke is just trying to shower us with compliments. And I believe that his attempts at flattery are working, for I already feel elated by his kind words.” She smiled, but widened her eyes as she stared at him, hoping that he’d receive the message.
“Such flattery would make Lord Crawford eye you with caution. He watches over our dearest girl with such diligence, Your Grace,” her mother warned.
The Duke pulled a face, as if he was dismayed at the thought of provoking the ire of her jovial father. “I apologize, Lady Crawford. I shall endeavor not to let any words escape my mouth without thought from now on.”
The Baroness let out a playful laugh, and Lavinia joined in because she could think of no other way to react.
“I am only teasing, Your Grace,” Lady Crawford began when she finally found her words within the uncontrollable laughter.
“My Ambrose does not watch our daughter like a hawk. He would never shoo away possible suitors, especially ones who have come here as guests. So, please, keep the compliments going, as I do love to hear them coming from the young ones.”
The Duke perked up a little at her encouragement. “Do not worry, Lady Crawford. I do believe I am good with words, and I shall not fail to sing Miss Fitzroy’s praises,” he assured her.
“You may join us if you’d like.” The Baroness gestured to the seat next to her. “There is tea and biscuits and toast, of course, as it is Lavinia’s favorite.” She blew out a long sigh. “I do not understand why she asks for it every morning without fail, but I tell Cook to appease her, nonetheless.”
Lavinia picked up a jar of gooseberry jam and held it aloft. “I eat toast, Mama, but only when it is spread with something delicious.”
“Ah, I see you have a taste for jam.” The Duke slid into the open seat and turned to face her, his eyes twinkling. “Might I have a nibble?”
Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and it was all she could do to hand him the jar without dropping it in his lap.
When their fingers brushed, she yanked her hand back quickly, conscious of the flare of something that had made her whole hand and arm tingle.
It’s going to be a long day.
Lavinia rested her hand in her lap once more and stared at the Duke. He took his time selecting a piece of toast and slathering it with the tart and tangy gooseberry jam. Then, he lifted the treat to his lips and took a large bite.
Lavinia tried to look away from his mouth, but she could not.
It’s going to be a very long day, indeed.
She tore her eyes away from his face and looked down at her hands. Unfortunately, the ink stain was still there. She glared at it, but then was struck with inspiration.
“Forgive me.” She hastily rose to her feet and looked from her mother to the Duke. “I just remembered that I left a letter to Miss Foote unfinished and—”
“You cannot leave now,” her mother scolded lightly. “You have not eaten more than a few bites, and I am sure you are quite famished.”
Lavinia’s eyes locked onto her piece of toast.
I cannot walk away without eating it. I will surely starve if I skip another meal.
She knew she was exaggerating, but Lavinia also understood that she was not equal to the task of sharing this meal with the Duke.
There was something about him that made her nerves twitch, and she knew it would be better if she retreated to her room, composed herself, and returned once she was in a calmer, less flustered state.
Before she could make up another excuse or insist that she could not keep her correspondent waiting, Lord Windham walked into the breakfast room.
Yesterday, he had seemed youthful and rather reticent to interact with others.
But today, he held his head high and looked directly at her.
There was a soft smile on his lips, and he seemed comfortable and pleased.
“Pleasant morning, Lady Crawford, Miss Fitzroy,” he greeted, sketching a quick but graceful bow. “Your Grace,” he added.
“Lovely morning, My Lord,” Lady Crawford said as she rose and patted his shoulder. “I hoped you would join us earlier. We’re headed to the garden at the moment. Would you care to escort us?”
Wait!
Lavinia panicked.
When did we decide to go to the garden?
She cast a look at the Duke, but he merely shrugged his shoulders indifferently and popped another piece of toast into his mouth.
Why am I trying to come up with excuses to take my leave when my mother has just presented me with the perfect opportunity to escape?
She grinned gleefully, then stepped around the table so that all she had to do was dodge around Lord Windham and her mother, make a beeline for the door, and hurry upstairs to the safety of her bedchambers.
“I could never decline such an offer from you, Lady Crawford,” Lord Windham said. “Today’s a perfect day for a stroll, isn’t it?”
He held both arms out, indicating that he meant to escort both Lavinia and her mother.
Lady Crawford immediately accepted his proffered elbow. “I think we shall have ourselves a lovely morning.” Her eyes slid toward Lavinia before dropping to the Duke, who still sat at the table. “Will you join us, Your Grace?”
The Duke plucked a third triangle of toast from the holder and made a show of spreading jam all over it. “I must decline, My Lady. Though I was in the gardens earlier, and you are correct—no day could be finer than this one.”
Lady Crawford smiled pleasantly at him, then turned her gaze to Lavinia once more. “And you, dearest? Will you stay with the Duke, or will you join us in the garden?”
Lord Windham held out his free arm a second time, and Lavinia hesitated.
Do I go with Lord Windham and my mother, or do I stay here with the Duke?
A quarter of an hour later, Lavinia was exhausted by the conversation swirling around her. Lord Windham and her mother chattered away happily, while her mind swirled with turmoil.
Then, quite suddenly, they stopped walking, and her mother waved to Mr. Norton.
“Oh, Norton!” she called, beckoning for him to come nearer. “Do be a dear and join us.”
Lavinia pursed her lips to stifle a groan.
Then, something peculiar happened. As soon as Mr. Norton approached and greeted them cordially, her mother relinquished her hold on Lord Windham’s arm and asked the gentleman to walk with her through her rose collection.
“What are you doing?” Lavinia hissed as her mother clung to Mr. Norton’s arm.