Chapter Eleven #4
‘I know,’ he said. ‘Although I beg you not to say as much to them. They are insufferable without the compliment.’ For a few steps they walked in silence, before he added, ‘And I am grateful to Sebastian too. If it were not for his will, my brothers and I would not have come together to raise Charlotte. We had drifted apart over the years and would have probably continued to move yet further away from one another if it had not been for him.’
‘I remember him writing his will. He was laughing to Clare and me, saying that, if anything were to happen to him, the most disappointing thing would be not seeing the looks on your faces when you heard his terms.’ At the time, Grace had not given the moment much thought.
She had believed Sebastian and her sister would live to a ripe old age and have many more children together.
Later, she had attached far more significance to his words.
‘I now think that Sebastian was being brave. I believe he was trying to pretend to Clare and me that we need not be afraid, even though the whole point of writing it and naming you and your brothers as guardians rather than any of my family showed he feared something bad might happen to him.’
Tobias brushed the brim of his hat with his fingers.
‘I think he… I think he prepared for the worst, even when he must have been hoping for the best. In writing that will, he covered all possibilities. And one of those must have been wanting his brothers to become a proper family. When I heard the will, I did think, only for a few seconds, of challenging it. I could have raised Charlotte by myself, and they could have carried on with their lives as they were. But, even though they can be most trying, I have enjoyed getting to know my brothers a bit better. I think they are close to one another too.’
There was something about his tone that hinted at wistfulness. ‘But they do not tease you,’ she said, guessing at what might be bothering him.
‘It is rare. Perhaps because of the dukeliness,’ he said, winking down at her, and she laughed. ‘Dare I ask what traits you associate with the word you have created?’
‘Ah,’ she said.
‘Oh dear. Are they that bad?’
They were, but not in the way that he supposed. If she gave him too many compliments, he might think she was trying to persuade him into marriage after all. ‘Well, there is being wide-shouldered,’ she said, stalling for time.
‘So if I were a slimmer sort of fellow, that would not do?’
‘Quite.’
‘I see. Anything else?’
‘Are you dangling for a compliment?’
‘Are you going to give me one?’
‘No.’
His bark of laughter sent darts of pleasure rushing through her body. She tried not to bask in the glory of getting a strong reaction from him while out in public, but it was too late. A bubble of happiness swelled around her heart at the sight of his wide smile.
‘Spending time with you is always a pleasure, Grace Wilmott.’ He paused. ‘Or would you prefer Willsden?’
‘I prefer Wilmott. It is the name I chose and is not associated with either my parents or my late husband.’
‘Very well. Shall we take this path or would you prefer to turn around? Perhaps you are ready to return home.’
‘I could always do with stretching my legs,’ said Grace, completely forgetting that she had been feeling quite out of sorts and determined to stay at home only a couple of hours ago. ‘If you are able to go a little further, then I should be most happy to accompany you.’
It was on the tip of her tongue to mention to Tobias her theory about his speech, how he did not speak as much when he was around others, or when he was in situations that made him tense, but she managed to stop herself in time.
This small interaction had indicated that she might be right.
He had talked with ease when they were not in earshot of his tiger and there had been none of the heavy silences that sometimes occurred.
It still wasn’t enough proof. Even if she was correct, he might not like her blurting it out.
She’d already caused awkwardness between them by speaking and acting without thinking and she had finally learned her lesson.
Now was not the time for speaking out. Hopefully, there would be opportunity for her to test her theory more thoroughly; for that she needed to be around him more, for them to be better friends.
It may even be far too personal for her to ever say out loud to him.
They were getting along better, had managed this walk without a falling out, but they may never be close acquaintances and her heart didn’t need to ache at the thought.
Since arriving in London, she had met plenty of people, some of whom she could imagine becoming close friends. She would not lack for company.
It was also possible that she was wrong and that the impression he gave of himself in a ballroom as a proud and haughty man might be correct.
The two of them set off down another wide avenue, ignoring the curious looks aimed their way.
It was some time before the duke saw her back to his carriage and drove her home.
By the time that he did, her cheeks were aching from smiling so much and she had almost forgotten why they had been out together in the first place.