Page 29 of Never his Duchess

“It’s strong,” she said. “But good.”

“I daresay anything makes this lemonade better. Would you care for a slice of dry cake?”

“No,” she replied. “If I wanted to eat sand, I could’ve done that at home.”

He laughed. “You must be Lady Evelyn Langley. Or rather, the Duchess of Sinclair. I have heard of your wit, Your Grace.”

“Have you? And from whom?”

“My cousin is friendly with Lord Pendleton. He spoke of the rather… entertaining afternoon he spent with you.”

She glanced at her shoes. “I assure you, I did not push him into the pond.”

“I’m certain you didn’t. Though he probably deserved it.”

She smiled. “I thought you said he was your friend?”

“I said he was my cousin’s friend. I am more selective about my company. Present company, for instance, is far preferable.”

He was charming. Handsome. And yet… she felt nothing.

Would she ever feel something for someone? Would she ever be in love? Would the touch of a man ever excite her the way Nathaniel’s brief touch had?

No, I must not think of him in that way. What is wrong with me?

She took another sip of the spiked lemonade and summoned her brightest smile.

“I’m pleased you find my company agreeable. But it is most improper to speak with a lady at length without introducing yourself.”

He chuckled. “Indeed. Lawrence Brightmore. Earl of Halston.”

Halston. She had heard of him. His father had recently passed, leaving him a sizable estate with holdings across the country.

“A pleasure, Lord Halston,” she said.

“A pleasure indeed,” he replied. “I would ask you to dance, but I’m afraid I must depart. Will you be here next Wednesday?”

“Perhaps,” she said. “I’m only here on a visitor’s voucher.”

“I see. In that case, I may call on you—if you don’t mind?”

She wanted to say no. But then she thought of Nathaniel. He wanted her to court, didn’t he? Halston was pleasant. Perhaps she could use that. If he came to call, perhaps it would buy her some peace—days, maybe weeks—so she could work on getting Lady Appleton to vacate.

Still, she had to be honest.

“Lord Halston, you should know—my husband passed away not long ago.”

“I’m aware,” he said gently. “Everyone knows about the… one-day widow.”

One-day widow. That’s what they were calling her? She wasn’t sure how to feel about it.

“But I’m also aware you are actively courting.”

She was not sure how to respond. As if sensing her hesitation, he smiled.

“How about this: I must leave town at the end of next week for at least a fortnight. When I return, I shall call on you, and you can give me your answer then.”

“Very well,” she said, grateful for the breathing room. Perhaps by the time he returned, she would have succeeded in dislodging Lady Appleton.