At the Duke’s Pleasure (11 page)

C
laire strolled into the family dining room the next morning, dressed in one of her new frocks—a gown of pale peach silk with half sleeves and a ringed flounce trimmed in sleek bronze satin.

For a moment she stopped short, her gaze riveted on the room’s sole occupant. Given the hour, she’d expected Mallory and the twins to be here already. Instead, only Edward sat in his accustomed place at the head of the table, a newspaper folded open at his elbow, while he dined on a plate of eggs, toast, sausage and kippers.

She nearly retreated, but knew it was already too late. Even if Edward hadn’t seen her yet, he would surely notice her turning around to effect a hasty withdrawal. Inhaling low, she drew back her shoulders and continued inside.

Maybe the others had just overslept and would be joining her and Edward soon, she told herself. Until then, she would have to deal with him alone.

Some of the confidence slid out of her spine at the thought.

He glanced up then and gave her a slight smile before he turned a page of his newspaper. “Good morning, Claire.”

“Good morning,” she answered, not pausing as she moved past him to the buffet.

The room grew quiet while she took up a plate and made her selections. Once she’d taken her seat at the table on Edward’s right, one of the footmen came forward to pour her tea. He refreshed the duke’s coffee as well before withdrawing from the room.

“So, how was your night?” Edward asked. “Did you sleep well?”

No
, she mused, remembering the way she’d tossed and turned, dreams and thoughts of Edward and his kisses plaguing her through the long, dark hours.

“Splendidly,” she declared with false cheer. “And you?”

He drank some coffee. “Quite well.”

Of course
, she thought.
How else would he sleep? Likely nothing ever disturbs Edward’s rest.

“Mallory and the twins are obviously late,” she commented, as she spread butter onto a crumpet. “Perhaps their night was not so easy as yours and mine.”

“Actually, Leo and Lawrence are off on some sporting jaunt for the day. While Mallory sent word along just a few minutes ago that she has decided to take breakfast in her room. Apparently there were a couple of letters from Hargreaves in this morning’s post and she can’t be torn away.”

“No, of course she can’t,” Claire agreed. In order to cover her dismay at finding herself deserted, she bit into her crumpet.

Edward continued his breakfast as well, polishing off the last of his sausage and eggs before wiping his mouth clean with his napkin. Taking up his coffee, he leaned back in his chair. “Is that another of your new gowns?”

She nodded, glad her mouth was too full to answer.

“It’s even more becoming than the other one. The color suits you well,” he said. “Lovely.”

She swallowed, warmth inching up her neck at the reminder of a very similar conversation they’d had yesterday and everything that had happened afterward. Gathering her fork and knife, she stabbed the slice of ham on her plate and cut off a piece. Instead of eating it, though, she slid it around with the tines of her fork.

“Unless you are otherwise engaged,” Edward said, “I wondered if you might care to take a drive with me this afternoon?”

She stopped fidgeting and looked up. “A drive?”

“In the park, if you would enjoy it. It occurred to me that we haven’t been able to spend a great deal of time together since your arrival in Town. I thought this might be a good opportunity to do so.”

Spend time together? Why?
The question nearly shot out of her mouth, but she recalled it just in time.

Her brows furrowed as she thought over his invitation. On the surface, the excursion sounded pleasant, and despite her present misgivings, being with Edward was never a hardship. Then again, the duke was a busy man and not the sort to idle his days away with drives through the park. And it wasn’t as though they were courting, seeing that they were already engaged. So what was he really up to?

Then suddenly she knew.
He’s doing his duty again. Getting to know me better as he once had promised.
It wasn’t that he
really
wanted to go driving with her; it was only that he thought he ought to. Her mouth tightened at the realization.
Well, if he wants to get to know me better, perhaps I ought to let him.

With that decision made, she relaxed and laid her silverware onto her plate. “The park would be enjoyable, I’m sure. Although from what Mallory tells me, the crowds can make it a rather plodding exercise, given the necessity of stopping every half minute to converse with some acquaintance or other.”

He regarded her over his cup. “True enough, though I had envisioned us going before the afternoon crush when there wouldn’t be quite so many people. But if you would enjoy something other than a carriage ride, you have only to say.”

“It’s not the carriage ride, it is just…” She hesitated, waiting to see if he would give her further encouragement.

“Just what?” he asked.

“Only that instead of taking me for a drive, I would much rather you showed me how to drive.”

His eyes widened. “Teach you, you mean?”

“Exactly!” she said with genuine excitement. “I have always wanted to learn to drive a carriage, but Papa wouldn’t hear of such a thing. In his opinion, it’s a useless skill for a woman, since he says that ladies may always rely on a gentleman to escort them wherever they wish to go.”

She paused to gauge his reaction. When he didn’t instantly agree, she continued, “But I have always supposed it a worthwhile ability for either sex. In my estimation, women would benefit from being far less dependent upon the men in their lives, at least for small things such as going about Town. Besides, driving just looks fun. It is, is it not?”

As she watched, he cocked his head slightly and peered at her again over the rim of his coffee cup. His eyes were very blue and filled with curiosity, as if he didn’t quite recognize her after her small outburst.

But she didn’t mind. She was glad she’d said what she had, no matter his reaction. And who knew, if he took exception, maybe that would be the key to placing a wedge between them.

He set his cup into its saucer. “Driving is most enjoyable, particularly with a reliable team. So, you want to learn, do you?”

She tipped up her chin. “I do. Yes.”

“Well then, why don’t we change our outing from a drive in the park to a driving lesson? Finish your breakfast, then go find your maid, so you can change into a suitable gown for the occasion.”

“You mean now? This morning?”

“Yes, this morning. The earlier the better, in fact, since the streets will only get busier as the day goes on.”

A wide smile broke over her face and she leapt up from her chair.

“What about your breakfast?” he asked.

“I’m not hungry. Besides, I’m too excited to eat another bite.”

And she was, giddy with an almost childlike delight she hadn’t felt in years. Without thinking, she took a step in his direction, then checked herself when she realized she’d been about to throw her arms around him for a hug. Instead, she sent him another smile.

He smiled back, his dimples disappearing in a way that made her pulse stutter. “Go on, then,” he said. “I’ll meet you downstairs in an hour, shall we say?”

“Forty-five minutes. I am sure I can be ready by then.”

“Three quarters of an hour it is.” Edward laughed, then took up his coffee cup again.

Grinning in spite of herself, she turned and sprinted from the room.

Seated beside Edward in his glossy black curricle a little over an hour later, Claire listened attentively as he explained the rudiments of carriage driving. So far, they hadn’t moved so much as an inch, the horses standing at the ready, endlessly patient except for the occasional betraying swish of a tail or the shifting of a hoof.

Still, in spite of the delay, Claire was rather glad they hadn’t gone anywhere yet, considering all the information Edward was imparting. As she had quickly discovered, there was a great deal more to this learning-to-drive business than she had ever imagined.

Abruptly, Edward’s lecture came to an end. “That should more than cover it,” he said. “Shall we go?”

She met his gaze. “Go?”

“If you’re ready. Give the ribbons a gentle flick and take us up the street. I thought we’d drive around the square a time or two, then proceed from there.”

“Oh, I…all right.” Her stomach quivered with a combination of nerves and excitement. She had only to give the command and the horses would be off.

“Don’t worry,” he said reassuringly. “You’ll be safe. I promise not to let you crash into anything.”

“I certainly hope not!”

He chuckled. “You’ll do fine. Signal the team like I told you and we’ll be on our way.”

Marshalling her determination, she sat up straighter, then gathered the reins again. After glancing over her shoulder to make sure there was no traffic approaching, she gave a soft click of her tongue and flicked her wrists with a gentle but decisive snap. Equine ears perked up, the pair of matched bays tossing their heads with enthusiasm as they eased into a walk.

Elation swelled inside Claire’s chest, a smile spreading over her mouth as the curricle rolled forward. One yard, and two, then three…
Why, this isn’t so hard.
In fact, it seemed downright simple. What had she been worried about? And why had Edward insisted on so many instructions when a baby could drive this rig? Relaxing into an easy rhythm, she let the horses guide them forward as she settled back to enjoy the ride.

“Get ready now to ease off as you prepare to make your turn ahead,” Edward said, low and calm.

Turn? What turn?

Her eyes widened as she realized he was right. The first left turn in the square was coming up in only a few more yards. And she hadn’t the vaguest idea how to manage it. As though sensing her quandary, the horses took advantage and increased their gait. A knot formed in her throat and she pulled back sharply on the reins. The lead horse whinnied out a protest.

“Not so hard,” Edward told her in a patient voice. “Gentle and easy is always best. Here, let me show you.”

Before she knew what he intended, he slid an arm around her waist, then covered both of her hands with his. Using almost imperceptible pressure, he coaxed the team into a controlled walk, while at the same time lining up the curricle to make the approaching turn. With the easy confidence of long practice, he slowed them a faint bit more, then made the turn—all the while clasping her hands securely inside his own.

“Feel the shift in the ribbons and how little effort is required to communicate with the team,” he said.

Yes
, she thought, her breath hitching in her chest. She could most definitely feel the reins, the horses—and the man! With Edward’s strong arms wrapped around her and his hands holding hers so securely, it was as though they were embracing. Even their hips and thighs were touching where they sat nestled together on the seat. The sensations were enough that, for a moment, she forgot all about the driving. Luckily, Edward managed to keep his head and prevent them from veering off course.

“A light pressure is often all that’s required for the horses to understand exactly what you want,” he observed, as they safely completed the next turn and moved slowly along the street.

“After that,” he continued, “it’s simply a matter of letting them do their job. Animals, you will find, are far more intelligent than people give them credit for being, especially horses. Be good to your team, show them respect, and they will be good to you in return.”

Swallowing, she nodded.

“Ready to try it alone again?” he asked.

She hesitated, then reminded herself that she wanted to learn to drive. This lesson had been her idea, after all, and she had more pluck than to let a mild case of nerves keep her from achieving her goal. “Yes,” she stated with determination. “At least I think so.”

Laughing again, he released her hands and returned full control of the team to her. She expected him to slide his arm free as well. Instead, he left it curved around her waist, his gloved palm resting on the seat next to her hip.

Her skin tingled everywhere he touched, and places where he didn’t as well, her body growing warm beneath her corded lilac muslin carriage dress. With the horses on a straight stretch, she took a moment to dart a glance at Edward from beneath the narrow brim of her white chip-straw bonnet.

And found his gaze on her—his eyes vividly blue in the sunshine of the crisp spring day.

Her heart squeezed out an extra beat, then another when a slow smile curved his mouth in a move that displayed his beautiful white teeth.

Good heavens. He really shouldn’t be allowed to do that
, she thought, her pulse hammering.
And I should have more sense than to let it scramble every logical thought in my head!

“The next turn is approaching,” he murmured, his gaze never leaving hers. “You may want to get ready.”

Giving herself a stern mental shake, and a scold as well, she turned her gaze forward again. The horses’ ears twitched as if anticipating her next command. Adjusting the reins, she prepared herself to give it.

“Need help?” Edward offered.

She refused to glance at him. “No. I can do it.”

She wasn’t sure, but she was nearly positive that he smiled again.

Displaying more confidence than she felt, she took the turn, pleased when the team—and the curricle—rounded the corner with an easy grace. Edward’s hand touched hers only once, making a slight adjustment as she maneuvered past a coach standing idle in front of a stately town house.

And then they were proceeding up the street, picking up speed as they went. Only she was controlling the pace now and not the team.

“How was that?” she asked, daring to shoot him a grin.