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As they neared, he felt vindicated when a moment of panic flashed across Georgina’s face before a mask of indifference fell over her features. Good. As introductions were made by the countess, John inched closer as though in some vain attempt to claim her. What the devil was he up to now?

“Your Grace, may I introduce my daughter, Lady Georgina?” the countess said.

Lady Georgina curtsied as was proper, but her tightly twisted lips reminded him of the scowl one made when tasting something sour.

“Your… Grace ,” she intoned, then raised her eyebrows. “I’m so pleased you have arrived in time to break your fast.”

“Lady…Georgina, is it? Indeed. I needed time to bathe after an unexpected fall into the lake.”

Her tightly twisted lips unfurled into a smile and her eyes sparkled with undisguised amusement. She was, in a word, stunning . “The footing can be treacherous if one is not cautious, Your Grace. One cannot assume one is on solid ground.”

John gave him a sly wink. “Your Grace! I was just telling Lady Georgina and Lady Honoria how delighted I’d be if they would favor me with a walk around the lake at the picnic planned for this afternoon.”

Lady Brockenhurst ignored John’s comment to instead address Laurence. “Your Grace… would you be so kind as to escort my daughter to breakfast? Georgina… the Duke of Stonehaven will be seated next to you this morning.”

Laurence held out his arm. “ Lady Georgina… the honor would be mine.”

“Your Grace ,” she said with a strained emphasis. Placing the tips of her fingers on his proffered arm so she was barely touching him, a smile etched itself across her lips that he could tell was clearly for her mother’s benefit. It was a fake one that didn’t reach her eyes.

They began making their way toward the table when she gently pulled him aside while her mother, John, and Lady Honoria took their places at the table.

“You could have told me you were a duke,” she said through clenched teeth and a tight smile, nodding to several couples who walked past.

“Where is the fun in that?” he chuckled, much to her apparent annoyance.

“Did you… did you tell my mother about what happened this morning?” she questioned, with a concerned expression for the reprimand she might soon receive.

Laurence debated whether or not he’d make her continue to worry but, in the end, he didn’t want to torture the chit, he just wanted…

well, to win the wager. And maybe—though it was something he was suddenly against, unless she wanted it—a kiss.

He gave her a look that he hoped soothed her fears.

“Nary a word,” he replied as he began to once again usher her toward the sideboard where a buffet of breakfast items was available.

Once that had their food, they made their way toward the table.

She indicated the chair he should take and Laurence pulled hers out for her. Once seated, he also took his place. Then he heard her whispered words. “Thank you for not saying anything.”

“You’re welcome,” he murmured in return before turning to stare into her pale-blue eyes reminding him of a clear summer day.

As she stared back at him, a sense of calm swept over him, giving him a rare glimpse into what might develop between them if they only let their guards down.

“Perhaps now that we have been properly introduced, we can have a fresh start between us.”

She didn’t bother to turn to look at him. “There is no us , Your Grace, but I appreciate your discretion from our early incident.” She picked up her fork and began poking at her food.

So much for our one moment at a truce . She took a small bite from her plate before turning her attention to Lord Blanding, the viscount, who was seated next to her.

Fortunate for Laurence, unfortunate for Georgina; Blanding was as bland as his name and had a reputation for stale, stuttering conversations.

The poor sod didn’t stand a chance, and neither did Georgina.

All Laurence had to do was wait. She’d be turning to him for conversation before long.

While he waited for Georgina to become bored with her current conversation, Laurence began conversing with her mother.

Inwardly he was amused when he heard a soft sigh of boredom come from the young lady who began pushing her uneaten food around her plate.

Indeed, Blanding, true to form, had not disappointed him. Brilliant, boring Blanding.

Instead of prolonging her misery, he decided to bring up a topic she wouldn’t be able to resist. “Forgive me, my lady, but I must ask—for how long have you been fencing?”

She flickered a look at him and he knew instinctively she was deciding whether or not to trust him.

He gave her a smile. “Please be assured, I won’t share that secret with anyone else, either.

I’m just intrigued. I myself enjoy the sport and wonder if you’ve ever been able to engage in any matches with…

” he paused, searching for the correct words that wouldn’t cause her to shut him out completely, “ similar opponents?”

She lowered her brows. “You’re asking if I know any other women who fence?”

He nodded. “I know that my most challenging matches occur when I fence an opponent with a different—excuse me for being crass—physique. Longer arms, perhaps, or better footwork. But for you, well…” He let his words trail off.

She shrugged. “It is true that I might be at a disadvantage as a woman if I were to engage in a match with a man. But, as you pointed out, footwork is important, and my instructor has taught me much about that. And balance. Fortunately, fencing is about skill as much as it is strength. Or arm length.”

“Indeed.” He smiled, and was pleased to see her return his smile, though it wasn’t wide or welcoming.

Still, it was enough for him to know that whatever wall had been erected between them from his clumsy attempt to steal a kiss was coming down.

A bit. “Perhaps one morning you might be willing to fence with me? Before anyone awakes, of course.”

“Of course, Your Grace.” She nodded, and then gave him her first real smile.

She was radiant, and it made his heart trip in his chest. Unaware of her effect on him, she continued, “It would be my honor to have a bout with you. Be forewarned, however; just because you are a guest does not mean I’ll allow you to win. ”

Oh, but he would win. A stallion, at least. A kiss, perhaps. Or maybe something more. Laurence couldn’t dismiss the notion…

Laurence couldn’t dismiss the notion that Georgina intrigued him as no woman ever had, and he couldn’t help but wonder just what might take shape between them given enough time.

Time he might not have…there wasn’t a lot of it for him to decide what his future might hold where the young lady was concerned.

After all, a house party only lasted so long.