Page 20 of Starlight and the Duke (Cherish and the Duke #5)

She nodded. “I am guilty of feasting on quail or game hen on occasion. Unfortunately, it is one of the necessities of life in order not to starve. But birds are such beautiful creatures and so graceful in flight.”

“Is that a sketchbook tucked under your arm?”

She drew back a step, as though worried he might reach for it. “I like to draw them, and I take notes on their nests and nesting habits. I happen to be chairwoman of the Ladies Ornithological Society in Lower Bramble. Have you heard of it?”

“The bird society or the village of Lower Bramble?” Rob asked, finding Florence Newton a little eccentric but amusing. She wore spectacles, had nondescript dark hair, and her gown was buttoned to her throat.

Yet she was not unattractive.

“Either one,” she replied.

“No.” He studied her prim gown that was obviously well made but designed for practicality rather than allure. The color was a dark brown, no doubt chosen to blend in with the surrounding woods. This might have worked had the tree barks not been a stark white here.

“Lower Bramble is one of the lovelier villages in Devonshire,” she said.

“I see. I was just there on some Durham estate business.” He offered his arm to escort her back to the house, since she appeared to be done with her bird watching for the afternoon.

She ignored his offer and simply walked along beside him.

He liked this independent streak in Florence.

Was this perverse of him? To prefer a lady who did not cling to him like a mouse and declare him to be perfectly wonderful?

Fiona knew his likes and dislikes almost better than he did himself, and he could see why she’d chosen to invite this particular young lady.

Well, this was Cherish’s house party, but Fiona had certainly played a major role not only in the menu planning but in the selection of suitable young ladies.

“Durham,” Lady Florence said with a matter-of-fact air as they walked along, “you needn’t worry that I am after you. In truth, I am only here as a favor to Jocelyn, and to avoid being hounded by my own family. But I have no intention of marrying a man like you.”

That stopped Rob in his tracks. “What do you mean by that statement?”

“Please do not take this as an insult…”

Which he did.

“But you seem quite tightly wound and come across as the sort who will never take a toe out of line. That can get awfully tiresome.”

“And you know this about me how?” Being serious and attentive to duty were traits one should hope for in a husband, were they not?

He was not tightly wound, as she had just accused.

However, he did like to be in control of his feelings and actions.

Was this not better than being an out-of-control arse?

Nor was he averse to taking a toe out of line. She had only to ask Fiona about the nights he’d spent in her bed.

He raked a hand through his hair in dismay, for this was not something ever to be discussed with anyone but Fiona herself.

“Well, it has been a pleasure talking to you, Durham. Do not bother asking me to dance or partner you in cards for the duration of our stay. I am not good at either and will only frustrate you, since you are obviously a man who strives for perfection and likes to win.”

With that, she scampered into the house.

No wonder Florence was still a spinster despite her decent looks and quick wit. Some might call it an outrageous wit, for she had spent much of their walk insulting him. A duke. A desired bachelor. And she would not stop tossing him barbs.

But if she truly had no desire to marry, then she might be useful to him over the course of the week.

He walked onto the terrace, intending to stroll into the parlor, but was waylaid by a friendly summons from the Duke of Lynton, who had just arrived and immediately stepped out for air on the terrace. His wife, Eden, stood smiling beside him.

“Durham, good to see you again,” Lynton remarked. “How have you been?”

Rob arched an eyebrow. “Not as happy as you, by the look of it.”

Eden cast him a gracious smile. “Are you ready for the onslaught? You won’t be the only eligible bachelor present, if that is any consolation.”

“Oh, gad. You are not referring to Lord Pershing, are you?”

Eden shook her head. “Well, he may be eligible and a bachelor, but I would hardly call him a prize catch. But I understand Viscount Aubrey will also be in attendance. He is an avid bird watcher and—”

Rob laughed. “Ah, I see where this is going. You think to match him with Florence Newton?”

Eden appeared surprised. “How did you know?”

“Good luck with that,” he muttered. “Have you met her?”

“No,” she admitted. “But Camborne’s wife is best friends with her and has assured us she is lovely. Do you know her?”

Rob grinned. “I’ve only met her briefly. She is…different.”

Lynton chuckled. “Uh-oh. That does not sound promising. Do you think she will give Aubrey a hard time?”

Hell, yes. “I’m sure he will find her…endlessly fascinating.”

Lynton appeared gleeful.

Eden gave her husband a swift poke in the ribs. “Don’t you dare give me that attitude.”

Rob excused himself and moved on, not wanting to get between those two, who were about to bicker. Not that Lynton looked at all put out by his wife’s not-so-subtle reprimand.

He heard them laughing together only a moment later, so their disagreement was not in the least serious.

Rob met Viscount Aubrey about an hour later. He had gone to the stable to see about borrowing a horse in order to ride over to Fiona’s home to see what was delaying her arrival, and found the viscount also hiding out there.

Rob strode over to greet him. “Always nice to meet another fox about to be hunted down. I’m Durham,” he said, extending a hand.

“Ah, the duke everyone is agog over.” Aubrey grinned. “My sympathies on that betting book commenced on you at White’s. Trajan Aubrey, a viscount by courtesy title only.”

“Your father has just inherited a dukedom, I’ve been told.”

He nodded. “Yes, he’s the newly minted Duke of Weymouth, and this has now catapulted me onto the list of London’s most eligible bachelors.

I might be the next target of that loathsome betting book.

Hopefully not for a while yet. However, the Duchess of Lynton is determined to introduce me to some bird-watching spinster,” he said with obvious dismay.

“Ah, you mean Florence Newton. I’ve just met her. She’s a bit of an odd duck, to be sure. However, I think I like her.”

“You only think you like her? I’m not sure what to make of that remark.”

Rob shrugged. “And I’m not sure what to make of her yet. She isn’t impressed by titles.”

Aubrey arched an eyebrow. “That is a point in her favor.”

Rob casually leaned his shoulder against one of the stalls and folded his arms over his chest. “She wasn’t impressed by me at all.”

That made Aubrey chuckle. “Perhaps she will find me equally unimpressive. One can only hope.”

“You do not sound eager to find yourself a match,” Rob mused. “Why attend this party if you’re not interested?”

Aubrey’s grin faded. “I don’t know. Just stupid of me, I suppose.”

Hell. Was this man still pining for Lynton’s wife, Eden? No wonder Lynton was peeved to learn he would be joining them for the entire week.

Rob and Aubrey were quite a pair of bachelors, weren’t they? Two fools pining over women they could not have.

Did he look as pathetic as Aubrey looked right now?

At least Fiona was unmarried and still available, although she could stubbornly go off and marry some clot she did not love if he played this wrong. So he needed to be certain his plan would lead her to the right result.

He also needed to hope Fiona would not see right through his motives and move to counter them.

Reggie entered the stable, interrupting their discussion. “There are the two holdouts. I thought I might catch you in here. Bromleigh’s looking for you both.”

“Why?” Rob asked, feeling rather surly.

“Fiona has arrived.”

“Let the games begin,” Rob muttered, striding out to face this week-long agony.