“I’m ready.”
Juno blinked, lost briefly in her reverie. Marina stood before her clutching five, no six, books.
“Are those just for tonight or for the duration of our stay?” Juno quipped.
“Oh, they won’t last as long as we’ll be here. Unless we get to leave early,” Marina said eagerly.
“I doubt that,” Juno said as they left. The only way that would happen was if Marina became betrothed to the duke. Which could happen if the duke was decisive. That trait certainly seemed to fit his demeanor. She couldn’t imagine he was one to dither.
As they climbed the stairs, Juno asked if Marina liked the duke.
“It’s too early to say,” Marina demurred.
“It was nice of him to attend you after the incident on the dance floor.”
“It was.” Marina hugged the books more tightly to her chest as they reached the top of the stairs. “That was particularly kind. I admit I was surprised. He seems so dour.”
“I suspect that outward crustiness covers a soft, sweet inside.” Juno hoped it did. If not, she would feel rather bad for him.
“You make him sound like a food. Perhaps a confection.”
“You are not unlike that,” Juno said softly. “Your exterior does not always reveal who you truly are.”
Marina exhaled. “I know. I do try. It’s just so hard to feel comfortable around people when I’d much rather be by myself. Not all the time, mind you. I do enjoy your company.”
“You didn’t at first,” Juno recalled with a laugh as they approached their chamber. “I distinctly remember you glowering at me for at least three days.”
Marina gave her another sheepish look. “I was angry at my mother for hiring you. I didn’t want ‘refinement.’ I took that out on you, and I’m sorry.”
Juno opened the door and motioned for Marina to precede her inside. “There is no need to apologize. I am used to young ladies not always welcoming me with glee.” Why would they when Juno was brought in to fix a disastrous or near-disastrous situation?
Marina went to deposit her books on the table next to her side of the bed. “I shall need to hide these in case Mother stops in later.” She frowned at the stack, then muttered something.
“Is there something amiss?” Juno asked as she removed an earring and set it on the dresser.
“I left one of the books downstairs.” Marina’s brow pleated in disappointment. “Naturally, that was the one I wanted to read first.”
Juno knew the effort Marina was putting into meeting her mother’s expectations and wanted to ease her stress. “I’ll run down and get it.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Marina said earnestly. “I can make do. I daresay I have plenty to read.” Her cheeks flushed as she glanced toward the pile of books.
“I don’t mind. Truly,” Juno assured her.
“You are most kind,” Marina said gratefully. “It’s on the table near the windows at the back.”
Flashing Marina a smile and a wave of her fingers, Juno hastily departed, hurrying back downstairs lest an enterprising maid or footman replace the book on the shelf before Juno arrived. The library was no longer empty, however. Standing over the table Marina had indicated was none other than the Duke of Warrington.
He turned toward Juno as she approached.
“Good evening, Your Grace,” she said. “I see you’ve found my book.”
Picking up the book, he opened the cover and flipped a few pages. “You’re going to read about butterflies?”
“No, actually. It’s for Lady Marina. Although, I suppose I might find butterflies interesting.” Juno mostly read magazines and news. She liked to know what was going on in the world as well as the latest fashions. “Lady Marina is exceptionally well read.” Some gentlemen would find that irksome, but she suspected the duke would not.
His eyes glimmered with curiosity, and Juno was pleased to see she was right. “Are butterflies a particular interest?”
“I’m not certain. She typically reads whatever she can lay her hands on.” Juno clasped her hands in front of her waist. “You and she seemed to get on quite well at dinner.”
“Are you playing matchmaker, Mrs. Langton?” From another gentleman, it might have been a flirtatious comment, but from the duke, it was accusatory. Or perhaps it only seemed that way because of his infernal eyebrows. Thick and dark, they were magnificently expressive. Discerning. Commanding. Captivating.
What? No.
Juno blinked. “I was hired to ensure Lady Marina is successful on the Marriage Mart. If that makes me a matchmaker, then I suppose I am.”
“You are more than an ordinary companion, then.” He scrutinized her, his dark eyes moving in a languid perusal. “How extraordinary.” The last came out in a low, rough murmur, but then everything he said sounded as if he’d swallowed darkness. She couldn’t say she disliked it. In fact, it was impossible not to rivet her attention to his every word.
Except she refused to do that. Or at least, allow him to realize she was. No man was ever going to wield a seductive power over her ever again. She was the provocative one now, and she was very, very selective.
“You seemed to enjoy Lady Marina’s company,” Juno said, focusing on the only thing that mattered—matching him with Marina.
“She’s quiet and pleasant.”
“Marina—Lady Marina—also enjoyed herself.” Juno purposely used her name, hoping the duke might begin to think of her in more intimate terms.
“Did that include the dance?”
Was that a bit of humor in his voice? Juno couldn’t help but smile. This match could work. “It did not. I’m afraid Marina is not terribly fond of dancing, even when it all goes well. I hope that doesn’t trouble you.”
“Not at all. In fact, I count that as a mark in her favor. I loathe dancing.”
“You dislike a great many things, it seems,” Juno said, not without a touch of sarcasm.
“I see no point in pretending to enjoy things I do not. If I said I liked house parties, I’d be invited to a plethora. If I pretended to love dancing, I’d be expected to gallivant across every dance floor. It’s best to set accurate expectations, don’t you agree?”
Juno found it hard to argue with that. “I admit I find your candor refreshing, if bemusing.”
“You’ll get used to it. Or not. I expect our acquaintance will be rather short-lived.”
He was right. Whether he wed Marina or not, Juno would move on to her next client after her well-earned respite over the holidays.
His hand lifted, and he reached for her ear. She froze, expecting his touch. But it didn’t come. He lowered his arm. “You’re missing an earring. Did you lose it?”
She brought her fingers to her earlobe. “No, I removed it upstairs.”
“I was going to offer to help you find it.”
Was he? He was an odd gentleman. “What do you like, Your Grace?”
He hesitated, one brow moving higher than the other. “Riding. Walking. Being outside. Reading. Chess.” His gaze moved toward a board on a small table flanked by two chairs.
Juno stored that information away, then redirected their conversation lest she continue finding him interesting. There was no point in that. “Marina appreciated your kindness after the dancing mishap.”