Page 7 of Beguiling the Duke
“Lady Amelia? Of course not,” Matthew said.
“No, Lady Elborough. I’m not blind, man.” St. Ervan chuckled.
“We haven’t been indiscrete. I suppose we haven’t been discrete, either, but I’ve done nothing I’m ashamed of.”
“You have no shame, Teversham. I’ve known you long enough to know that.” St. Ervan grinned. “Go easy on her, though.”
Matthew frowned. “I never take anything that isn’t freely given.”
“I was referring to her heart.”
“I have no interest in her heart, and I don’t believe she’s after mine. We’re only interested in one thing.”
St. Ervan nodded, looking completely unconvinced. “Verity cares a lot about Elizabeth.”
Rising, Matthew set his glass down on the desk. “I understand.”
And in spite of what his body was begging for, he went to his own room, not Lizzie’s.
CHAPTER 4
When Lizzie went down to break her fast, Verity was the only person at the table in the dining room. A sideboard was filled with covered dishes, a teapot, sugar bowl, and creamer, so after greeting her friend, Lizzie helped herself to some toast, jam, and a cup of tea.
“How was your night?” Verity asked.
“Quiet. Teversham never came to my room.”
“Ah, then you haven’t heard. Lady Amelia arrived yesterday evening.”
Setting down her plate and cup and saucer, Lizzie said, “Teversham’s Lady Amelia?”
“The same.”
“With or without her husband?”
“That’s a bit of a story in itself. It would seem the man was previously married—no, that’s misleading. He was still married to another woman when he wed Amelia.”
Hearing that, Lizzie set down the corner of toast she’d been about to bite. “How awful. I’m surprised she was able to show herself in society again.”
Verity laughed softly. “We’re hardly scandal-free. She likely felt safe here.”
“Or did she come here to see Teversham?” Where else would a woman run when she needed a safe place to restore her dignity but to the arms of a former lover? If he still loved her, he’d welcome her back in spite of the scandal. In spite of her having fallen for someone else, perhaps.
Verity sipped her tea. “If so, she set herself up for disappointment. St. Ervan tells me he wasn’t pleased to see her here. My husband believes you’ve caught his attention.”
A warm rush swirled through Lizzie and she pressed her lips together in thought. “Yes, I believed so, too. I don’t know what to believe now.”
“The day is young. Let’s see what it holds for you.”
One of the gentleman guests came in so the ladies changed their topic to include him in the conversation. When her toast and tea were consumed, Lizzie excused herself and left the dining room.
As she reached the entry hall, Matthew came down the last of the steps and stopped in front of her. He wore his black greatcoat and carried his hat. “Good morning. You look lovely. Pink suits your lovely skin.”
“Thank you,” Lizzie said. “Are you going somewhere?”
“I was looking for you, to be honest. Would you care to join me on a sleigh ride?” he asked, his voice low and husky.
Lizzie nodded, unable to speak for the moment as the seductive tone of his voice sent visions of scandalous activity through her thoughts. She cleared her throat and said, “Let me get my pelisse and hat.”