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“What do you mean? She asked me to leave her be, and so I will. I still have honor, unlike some.”

His friend chuckled again.

“It is a shame. She wouldn’t be the worst wife, if you were so inclined.”

“And have her meet my mother? I would rather my staff pulled lit coals from my fireplace for me to walk over in bare feet. It is my preference that she remains hidden away. Besides, it is quite clear that Miss Kendall does not wish to marry.”

“Your mother is harmless, or at least she is now. She hardly even knows where she is at times.”

Levi sighed. His mother’s health had been in decline for a few years, and though he had hoped that her illness would soften her harshness, she was the same as she had always been. She still hated him, and she still regretted ever having him, in spite of the fact that he was the one caring for her.

“One day,” Levi said, “We shall have to marry and continue our family name. I am choosing for that day to come after my mother has passed.”

“Do you suppose Miss Kendall will be unmarried by then? Evil people have a tendency to live a very long time.”

“I do not know, and it is none of my concern. I do not wish to marry her. I do not even know her.”

“Not after the dreadful impression you have given her, no, but you can remedy that. You are a duke, after all.”

“Kingsman, enough. If I wanted to marry a spinster, I am quite certain that I could find one that was more willing.”

“Ah, is that why you had me change my mind about where we are all to sit? Because you know I had planned for people to change their seat each time so that we could all meet one another.”

“You can go back to your original plan, if you wish. I only did it because I– well, it was not to flirt.”

In truth, he did not know why he had asked him to do it, other than the fact that he had made the comment to her and he didn’t want her to see that he was bluffing.

“No, this is how the week shall pass now. You may consider it your punishment, as you shall now have to sit beside her three times a day. That won’t be an issue, will it?”

“No, of course not, but if she is not happy about it I will not force her to remain there. She is here to enjoy herself every bit as much as we are, after all.”

“Of course. She need only come and tell me herself, and it will all change immediately.”

But Levi had a feeling that she would be too stubborn, or perhaps too prideful, to do such a thing. He would be with her, as well as Miss Winston, for the remainder of the event, and he did not know what to say about that.

All he knew was that, as dinner drew close, he found himself becoming almost excited about it. He had left her during the walk because he felt like a nuisance, and he did not wish to pester her more than necessary, but there was still something that drew him to her, and he wanted to know just what it was. Sitting beside her so often would help him piece together the riddle. Wouldn’t it?

And so, that evening, sitting beside her and enjoying the meal that had been prepared for them, he did not even notice Miss Winston across from him. He found himself stealing glances at Miss Kendall, instead, and it pleased him to notice that she did the same to him.

“You may speak to me, if you wish,” she mumbled.

“Are you quite certain? I do not wish for you to be uncomfortable.”

“If you think that your mere presence can do that, then you ought to rethink yourself altogether.”

“Very well, then. How was your day?”

“Pleasant enough. I spent a lot of it with my sister, actually.”

She seemed to soften as she said those words. Levi did not doubt that she cared a great deal for her, and it was quite refreshing. He had no brothers or sisters to care for, and he had always felt as though he was missing something.

“I always wanted a sister,” he sighed. “Or a brother, though I must admit that I preferred the thought of a sister.”

“Oh? Why is that? I would have thought you’d rather have a brother to practice fencing with, or boxing, or some other barbaric sport.”

“I was never one for such activities. It may sound strange, but if I had a sister, I would have been charged with her debut, and it would have given me something to do. I understand that it isn’t easy, and the sister of a duke would certainly make for an interesting time, but it would have been something, at least. Instead, I spend each social season wandering the ballroom, watching the festivities but never truly part of them.”

“Well, you could always find a nice young lady to dance with. That would solve your problem, would it not?”