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“Your Grace...” she called softly as she started down the stone path.

The Duke jumped on the spot and spun about, eyes wide with panic when he saw her coming for him. “Miss Baker!” He looked about them as if to check that they were alone. “What are you — I didn’t expect to see anybody this earlier of a morning.”

“Clearly.” Her eyes flicked to his bare feet, and she smirked. “Or I hope not, anyhow.”

He grimaced. “I could not sleep — I’ve been up for hours, truth be told. Don’t tell your father, but the bed he’s put me in is about as comfortable as a sack filled with stones.”

“Oh, I suspect he knows,” she chuckled. “In fact, you might want to double check the stuffing when you retire tonight. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if you were to find half a quarry in there.”

He laughed at that, a genuine chuckle that was so deep that Amelia felt it in her sternum. “I was saying to Lord Malnor just last night, I suspect I’ve ruined your father’s weekend by being here.”

“Undoubtedly,” she grinned. “And I confess, a small part of me is glad that you did.”

‘Oh?” He frowned and tilted his head.

“Well, it was either that, or I would ruin it, and quite frankly, it’s a relief that you’ve taken the burden on yourself. After all, I’m the one that has to live with him.”

His smile was broad, his teeth perfectly white and glimmering in the morning sun. “You’re welcome, then.”

A moment of silence fell between them, and the laughter faded. With the initial shock of her sudden appearance having been dealt with, Amelia could feel His Grace sizing her up as he decided how to proceed. They were alone. He could do or say anything he wished. And if past examples were anything to go by, he would fall back into his old habit of warning her off his friend while insinuating that she was some sort of Siren.

It was for that reason that Amelia acted quickly. Seizing on the moment of surprising pleasantness that had passed between them, the plan she had formed now sitting firmly in her mind, she couldn’t risk letting the Duke start on her again. If he did... well, she only had so much self-control.

“I was going to ask...” she started softly, taking a step toward him, careful to keep her smile friendly. “I usually take a walk in the morning through the grounds. I find it’s when the gardens are at their most lovely.”

“Yes...” He looked about. “They are rather splendid, aren’t they.”

“And seeing as you’re already here...” She trailed off a moment, letting her meaning slowly sink in. “...I was wondering if you might care to join me?”

The Duke balked and leaned back. “Really?”

She tittered. “I don’t bite. And yes, I know that we’ve had our... differences.”

“That’s one way of saying it.”

“But I could use the company.” A smirk and her eyes flicked to his feet. “Even if that company is barefoot.”

The Duke snorted, and it was a wholly natural reaction. “I really should put on some shoes, shouldn’t I?”

“I insist that you don’t.” She walked up to him and propped out her elbow for him to link. He eyed it with some skepticism, and she cocked an eyebrow.

“Well... seeing as I’m already here,” he conceded and linked his arm through hers.

She smiled, a genuine, friendly effort to disarm him and suggest that what was to follow wasn’t going to be hostile. And most shockingly, but not at all disappointingly, he smiled back, appearing almost relieved at the turn this morning had taken.

It was but the early stages, and already, Amelia could sense her plan was working. Now, all she had to do was not mess everything up. But surely, that shouldn’t be so hard? Surely, nothing untoward might happen...

CHAPTERTEN

“Gosh, have I been speaking this entire time?” Miss Baker chuckled gaily. “Sorry, sometimes I have a nasty habit of getting carried away.”

“It’s fine,” Evan laughed sincerely. “I was enjoying it.”

“I bet you were.” She side-eyed him. “But now it’s your turn.”

“You want me to talk as much as you have been? I don’t think that’s possible. We’d be here for the rest of the day, otherwise.”

“Oh, ha ha.”