Page 15 of The Truth about the Duke (Whispers of the Ton #5)

Chapter Fourteen

“ M ight I ask what it is that you are doing?”

Lydia started in surprise, turning quickly to see her mother striding towards her.

“I am reading.” There was very little point in attempting to hide this from her, given that there was a pile of books to her left. “That is all.”

“Reading?” Her mother seemed to rush towards her all the more quickly, her eyes narrowing. “You are permitted to read novels but nothing like this !” She pointed one long finger at the history book which Lydia had sitting to the right hand side of her, turning her sharp eyes towards her and Lydia did her best not to shirk from the angry look in her mother’s glare.

“I – I am doing some reading for the Duke.”

This deflated her mother in an instant. Slowly, her shoulders lowered, her hand fell back to her side and the angry look faded from her eyes.

“The Duke?”

Lydia nodded, relieved that she was able to tell the truth. “Yes, Mama. The Duke has shown an interest in a particular subject and when I told him I was a little knowledgeable about the area in question, we spoke at length on it.”

“Oh.” Lady Hampshire tilted her head. “I did notice – though I have not said anything as yet – that he appeared to be quite taken with you on your walk yesterday afternoon.”

Forcing a smile, Lydia tried to think quickly about what might suit her mother to know of, for she certainly could not tell her the truth. “He said that he knew the history of his estate and I told him what I knew of it. That is all.”

“Then it appears to have done you some good, this learning that you do.” Her mother sniffed superiorly. “Though it is just as well that he has not thought of it as displeasing as so many other gentlemen might have done!”

“Then… you do not mind if I read a little more? I think that he and I are to have another conversation soon and I think he would be delighted to know that I have spent more time studying the subject.”

Her mother considered this, then nodded, just as Lydia had suspected she would. “I suppose, if it is under those circumstances, then I can permit it.”

“Thank you, Mama.”

Lydia turned her attention back to her books, ignoring her mother as best she could and praying that she would soon take her leave. Much to her relief, she did precisely that and Lydia was able to continue with her studying.

Thus far, she had learned that Lord Chesterfield had been an excellent steward of his wealth. He was a well-respected fellow and had even managed to further his estate by purchasing some more land, though that had come a few years before the loss of the heirlooms. Lydia was not certain that it connected him to the theft, and thus, she had turned her attention to the next gentleman. Lord Montrose was also a gentleman of excellent means, though his estate had been a little more difficult to study given that it was in Scotland. She had considered his son, Lord Gellatly, but again, there had been difficulty in finding what she could out about him. It was still a possibility that he was the thief, she considered, though the Duke himself might have to do a little more in terms of discovering what he could about the fellow.

Thus, the only gentleman that was left for her to study was Lord Dunford. Her family was already well acquainted with his, given that he had invited them to his soiree of late on since he was already acquainted with her father. That did not mean that Lydia had any knowledge of who he was or what sort of character he had. Nor did she know much about his estate nor his standing and, with that in her head, she set to her task with relish. It delighted her to learn and to study and this, given that there was an even weightier cause behind it, made it all the more of a pleasure.

“You have found out some more, I think?”

Lydia glanced up at her friend, then rose from where she had been sitting, finding her back a little stiff. “Thank you for coming with me to the library again, Sophie. I confess that I was a little frustrated that I could not find what I needed to about Lord Dunford.”

“But you have now?”

Lydia nodded slowly, though she drew her brows together as she spoke. “I have found something, yes, but it is not all that I wanted to discover. Lord Dunford’s estate is in good standing, his tenants are happy and contented and his family are all held in high esteem in society.”

“But?” Sophie tilted her head. “I can see from your expression that there is something that troubles you.”

Lydia smiled briefly. “There is something that has caught my interest, I shall agree with you on that.”

“And what is that?”

Taking a deep breath and considering carefully what she was to say, Lydia gestured to the papers she had been reading. “It is to say that there were some repairs made to the manor house in the year that the heirlooms were taken. However, they had been noted and were expected to take place some five years before then. It is noted simply in the history of the house and the writer has not stated as to why such repairs were delayed.”

“That is interesting, certainly.” Sophie’s eyes rounded. “It could be, then, that he is – ”

“I must keep that to my thoughts only,” Lydia interrupted, keeping her voice low for fear that someone else would hear them. She had told Sophie all that had taken place between herself and the Duke, knowing she would receive her friend’s support. “Next, I must tell Melrose what I have discovered and he – ”

“Melrose?” Sophie’s eyes rounded, the edge of her mouth quirking upwards. “Did you just speak of the Duke in such an intimate manner?”

Lydia flushed, heat pouring into her. “He suggested that I do so, given that he did not refer to me as Lady Lydia but only Lydia.” She tried to push away her friend’s gasp of astonishment, trying to pretend that she had not felt anything in that moment. “It means nothing, I am sure.”

“I am not so sure!” Sophie leaned closer, her voice a whisper now. “My dear, what if the Duke of Melrose has an interest in you that goes beyond what you are able to offer him with as regards your assistance?”

Lydia shook her head. “My dear friend, you cannot think – ”

“And look how red your cheeks are when I suggest it!” Sophie’s eyes widened and she grasped Lydia’s hand. “You must be truthful with me, Lydia. Are you drawn to the Duke?”

Lydia did not know how to answer. If she was to be honest with Sophie, then she would have to admit that yes, there was something in her that was drawn to the Duke, something that she desired about him which seemed to continually pull her closer. Their conversation in the park, the waltz he had pulled her into – both of those things had confirmed to her that her interest in the Duke was not solely in the lost heirlooms.

“Lydia!” Sophie exclaimed, only to clap one hand over her mouth as she ducked her head, clearly aware that she had spoken much too loudly.

“Please, Sophie.” Lydia closed her eyes and let out a small sigh, shaking her head as she did so. “You cannot push me to tell you something that I am entirely uncertain of myself.”

“Then you are interested in a closer connection with him?”

Lydia swallowed tightly, looking away from her friend. To admit this aloud would be very difficult indeed, for what would happen if he did not feel anything in exchange? He was a very handsome and amiable gentleman who spoke well and whose conversation drew her in, and his kindness towards her had been pleasing indeed. In addition, had he not also apologized for his lack of consideration when it came to bluestockings? Had he not told her that he was sorry for his previous harshness? That was a gentleman indeed who said such a thing as that!

“I dare not even think about what it is that my heart says,” she answered, a little hoarsely. “Sophie, I am afraid.” Opening her eyes, she looked straight into Sophie’s face and saw her friend’s expression soften.

“Oh, my dear.” Sophie squeezed Lydia’s hand gently. “There is nothing to be afraid of! To have feelings for a particular gentleman is not in the least bit worrisome!”

“No?”

“Of course it is not!” Sophie leaned a little closer. “You have nothing to be afraid of.”

Lydia’s throat squeezed as she fought back a rush of tears. “But what if he does not feel anything for me? What am I to do then?”

Sophie smiled. “I am sure that there is no need for you to worry. And if it should come to it, then… ” Her smile faded. “Then that will be difficult but you do not need to shirk back from that now. It is good that you are willing to admit to what you feel, my dear, though I must confess myself a little surprised!”

“Because I thought so poorly of him and made my feelings on that subject known?”

With a grin, Sophie nodded. “Precisely.”

“Things have changed for me since he first shared with me about the heirlooms,” Lydia answered, truthfully. “He has been very honest with me, stating that his opinions on bluestockings are no longer the ones he holds to himself. In that regard, I have found him quite altered from my first impression!”

Sophie smiled. “I can see that. Then all I would say is, continue with what you are doing and with what you feel, and, in time, consider sharing it all with him.”

Hearing this, Lydia flinched but said nothing, aware that her desire to keep her feelings entirely to herself was not a reasonable one. Yes, she would have to speak to the Duke about her heart for, if her feelings continued to grow, then she would have no place for them within her and they would bubble up until she had nothing but pain and anguish from trying to push them down.

“I will think about doing so,” she said to Sophie, though her friend chuckled lightly at this, as though Lydia was being foolish. “Thank you for your understanding and your advice.”

Sophie smiled. “Always.”