“And Lady Wetherby doesn’t mind?”
She narrowed her eyes until they were almost slits. “Lady Wetherby dismissed me.”
“Because I don’t want to marry her daughter?” He swore, and his gaze flew to hers. “My apologies. Sometimes I forget to keep such things in my head.”
“It takes much more than that to offend my sensibilities.”
Another point in her favor. Was there anything about her that wasn’t wonderful? Even her smiling was growing on him. Though, she wasn’t smiling now. “That Lady Wetherby let you go because of my actions says far more about her than it does you.”
“If only everyone thought so,” she murmured. “It doesn’t matter. She was unhappy with how things turned out, and I am the scapegoat.”
“Better she’s unhappy now than her daughter is for a lifetime. Neither of us wanted to marry the other. Lady Marina never failed to look positively tortured whenever she was in my presence.”
Juno shook her head. “You aren’t as self-aware as you think. You looked much the same in her presence.”
He exhaled. “In my defense, I look like that most of the time when I’m in the company of others, especially at an event like this.”
“Is it really torture?”
“It’s…uncomfortable.” He shifted his weight, feeling a flash of that familiar discomfort just from discussing it. “I prefer solitude or smaller gatherings.” He was more than comfortable at the moment in only her presence. “It’s quite taxing to spend so much time with so many people.”
“Is it?” She seemed to contemplate his revelations, which he never shared with anyone. “You’ve described Marina exactly. It’s too bad neither of you could get past that, for you have much in common.”
He arched a brow at her. “Are you still trying to play matchmaker?”
“No. I need to move on, and I am ready to do so. I will search for my next position and hopefully find more success than I did with Marina.” She sounded disappointed.
“I’m sure you did your best. Our failure to match wasn’t your fault.”
“Perhaps. However, I’d hoped to effect more change in my charge than I did. She improved her skills while I was with her, but overall, she’s no more ready to wed than she was when I started.” She pursed her lips. “Lady Wetherby was right in that I didn’t achieve what I was hired to do with Marina.”
“Somehow, I doubt that’s your fault either.”
Amusement creased the fine lines at the outer edges of her eyes. “How can you possibly know?”
“From what I can tell, you’re extremely capable, so much so that you’re in high demand. Doubtless, you will find another position quickly.” He hoped not too quickly. Perhaps she’d end up staying more than just tomorrow.
“I hope you’re right. If Lady Wetherby’s dissatisfaction spreads, my demand may plummet. I must get to bed. It will be an early morning seeing Marina off, and I’ll need to get started on my correspondence. I will likely spend most of the day doing that.”
She started to turn, and he felt a surge of longing. He nearly begged her not to go, but they couldn’t continue to stand outside her chamber. “Surely it won’t take so long. If the weather is fine, take a walk with me. We’ll visit the oak that would have provided us with our winning acorn.”
Her brow creased, as if she was confused. “Why are you suddenly charming? You are a most bizarre gentleman. The acorn would not have ensured our victory. We had several other items to obtain.”
“I am confident we would have emerged triumphant.”
“Because of the acorn.”
“Why not?” He felt the side of his mouth tick up and noted her reaction.
Her beautiful green eyes narrowed once more. “Why are you behaving in this manner? Forgive me, but your current demeanor is not at all what you’ve presented the past few days.”
“I like you. I have no discomfort when I am with you.”
She froze for a second, then blinked. “Oh. Well, good night, then.” She abruptly turned and went into her chamber.
He stared at the closed door for a moment, pleased with how the conversation had gone. Perhaps coming to this house party wouldn’t be a complete waste of time after all.
Chapter 8
Satisfied with her progress, Juno shook her hand out after drafting four letters to people who’d inquired about her services in the time that she’d been working for Lady Wetherby. She’d ask Lord Cosford to post them and hope at least one would bear fruit.
She rose from the desk and glanced about the room, which was rather disheveled from Marina’s departure and the fact that since Juno hadn’t left it yet that day, no one had come to tidy it. She supposed she should give them that chance, meaning she should leave.
A look toward the window said it was a fine day indeed. Perfect for a walk with a rigid duke. A handsome and suddenly charming rigid duke.
I like you.
Those three simple words had stayed with her all night and were currently propelling her to accept his invitation. The memory of his lips on hers, of his tongue licking erotically into her mouth, of his hands clasping her body and leaving her aquiver, rushed over her. He’d invited her to walk, not to engage in a liaison.
Would she?
She was between positions, and she’d made a habit of taking a lover during those periods. None of them had been dukes, however, rigid or otherwise. In fact, none had been titled at all. Was his lofty station a deterrent? Certainly not. His disagreeability was.
Except he’d become far less brusque, at least with her. He’d been gruff with Marina, but then Marina hadn’t been exactly pleasant to him. She also understood his behavior now, that he truly struggled around most people. Honestly, he and Marina really were so very much alike. Perhaps that was why they didn’t suit.
Saying goodbye this morning had been difficult, but Marina had displayed a steel and determination that had alleviated Juno’s fears. She suspected Lady Wetherby would be in for a shock if she pushed too hard. Perhaps Juno had been more effective than she’d originally thought.
A golden leaf floated past the window, and Juno decided to take advantage of the glorious day. Quickly changing into a smart, dark blue walking dress, she grabbed her gloves and a fetching wide-brimmed hat, along with the post she intended to give to Lord Cosford, before dashing downstairs.
Finding the butler, Juno gave him the letters, asking him to deliver them to her host. Now, where would the duke be?
As she neared the drawing room, which seemed to be the headquarters of the house party, she heard voices. Walking inside, she was met almost immediately by Cecilia. “Oh, there you are, Juno. I was just going to send up for you. We’ve planned an impromptu walk to the village since the weather is so lovely.”
Juno scanned the room and found the duke standing in the corner, wearing his usual scowl. What had happened? Why had he reverted to his ill-natured self?
“We’ll walk to the village and take refreshment at The Wayward Knight,” Cecilia continued. “Then coaches will bring us back so that we have time to rest and change for dinner.”