Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
* * *
“Oh, that sounds perfect.” Anne smiled before sliding her eyes to Janice. “Do you not think so, sister?”
* * *
“I do.” Janice nodded, though she looked absolutely miserable.
* * *
Arthur looked quizzically at her, but she avoided his eye. He frowned, afraid that she didn’t want to go on the ride after all. He reached out, covering her hand where it lay on the seat between them, with his. “Are you alright, Lady Janice?”
* * *
She turned to him and smiled. “I am quite alright. Let’s go.”
* * *
Her sisters chattered as they rode but Janice was uncharacteristically silent. Arthur could not help but worry. As Lady Anne and Lady Emily exclaimed with delight at the way the sky was reflected in the water, Lady Janice said not a word.
* * *
“Ooh, let's stop here. I want to go closer and see the ducks!” Lady Anne said. “Dear Emily, won’t you come with me?”
* * *
Without waiting for assistance, she skipped out of the carriage, pulling her sister behind her. Arthur smiled. “Your sisters are not subtle.”
* * *
To his surprise, Janice smiled back. “Well, they don’t necessarily object to you. Just as long as they can keep you in sight.”
* * *
“Is it because I kept you out too long yesterday?”
* * *
“And the fact that we kissed.”
* * *
“Oh, you told them?”
* * *
“I tell them everything.”
* * *
“I shall keep that in mind,” he said drily.
* * *
She smiled and he turned his body to face her. “Tell me why you’ve been so quiet. Did I do something wrong?”
* * *
She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I was…well…I wasn’t quite sure how to behave with my sisters there. I didn’t know if I should speak as freely with you or be demure and retiring.”
* * *
“Why? Would your sisters judge you?”
* * *
“Of course not. But you might. I do not know your expectations.”
* * *
“I was hoping we could laugh and talk as freely as we did yesterday. Perhaps discuss some more books. I was hoping to borrow a book from your library since I find that my own is depleted.”
* * *
Her eyes lit up. “I should be delighted to lend you some books. You must come home for dinner.”
* * *
“No, no, I do not wish to impose on your family again.”
* * *
“It is no imposition; I do assure you. My father and brother will feel more comfortable if you socialize with the entire family and not just myself. Much as we do not subscribe to societal mores, we are still subject to them from time to time.”
* * *
“I am amenable. In fact, if I am being honest, it is a much more pleasant prospect than going home to the echoing halls of Avebury manor.”
* * *
The light in her eyes dimmed and she reached out and grasped his hand, squeezing gently. “Then you must absolutely come. I will hear no dissent.”
* * *
“You’ll get none from me,” he said in a low voice. His eyes dropped to her lips and then raked back up again.
* * *
“Good,” she whispered just as her sisters returned.
CHAPTER 13
“I have invited the Duke of Hampton to dinner,” Janice announced to her father, soon after they came back from their carriage ride. “I do hope that’s alright.”
* * *
“Well, it’s fine with me but you should check with Mrs. Rogers. If we are to have a guest, she will want to know.”
* * *
“Of course. She was my next port of call.”
* * *
Lord Benjamin smiled, patting her shoulder. “Very well my dear. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to check on my pigs.”
* * *
“Of course, Papa.”
* * *
She watched him walk off, a smile on her face. She had been somewhat put out at being accompanied by her sisters for her ride. She realized now that she’d been hoping for more than conversation. She had wanted to see if their physical connection was as wonderful as she remembered.
* * *
She knew it was wrong but if she was to find a husband in London, it might not be someone she cared for in a physical way. She could not rely on there being the same magnetic pull she felt for Arthur with any other man and so she might have wanted to get it out of her system.
* * *
Perhaps I shall find a moment tonight.
* * *
She decided that she would be the perfect lady this evening, including dressing up for dinner.
Arthur was strangely nervous about his upcoming dinner. It felt more significant than it actually was. He wondered if he should carry a gift and remembered that his father kept a cellar of wine. He decided to go down and choose two bottles, a white and red wine to take with him.