The duke grunted heavily and grabbed for the railing, managing to stay upright. My position was far from ladylike, but all I could see was the look of pain that flashed across his face before he concealed his discomfort, an expression of disinterested irritation taking its place.
“Your Grace . . .” I stared up at him.
Quiet as it was, I didn’t miss the way he sucked in air through his teeth as he shifted the weight off his bad knee. “Don’t bother with another apology.” Still gripping the banister, he extended his hand to help me to my feet.
I had no wish to impose or cause him greater injury. I ignored his outstretched hand and scrambled to my feet as I tried to smooth down my skirts with an air of dignity.
“Juliet, where are your manners?” Aunt Agnes scolded, now behind me. She must have fairly flown down the stairs. “Your Grace, I am sorry.”
Flames rose to my cheeks. She intervened as if I were a child instead of a woman.
The duke turned to Aunt Agnes, his words cold and smooth. “There’s no need for you to apologize when Miss Graham is quite capable.”
Aunt Agnes stood dumbfounded for a moment, her mouth hanging open. “Yes, well . . .”
But with a lifetime of practiced superiority, he dismissed her without another glance. She waited only a moment longer before she turned away and disappeared down the corridor.
As she retreated, the duke glanced at the floor. His walking stick lay several feet away from where he stood, a casualty of our collision.
I quickly picked it up and held it out, full of contrition. His hand brushed mine as he took the stick, and a small jolt shivered up my arm. “I assure you it was an accident.”
A shock of his almost-black hair fell over his stern brows. “Yes, it seems there is no other way with you, Miss Graham. Always accidents. Do you ever do anything with intention?”
“Yes, Your Grace.” I raised my chin with a hint of defiance. “When given the opportunity to do so, I apologize.”
A vein pulsed in his neck, and if I didn’t know better, I’d have believed he was trying to keep his amusement in check. I bit my cheek to hide the smile that threatened to appear.
“You are going riding?” he asked. “With Ellen and the others?”
“Yes.”
“You are late.” It was not a question. “Another bad habit of yours?”
I met his gaze squarely. “Yes.”
A flicker of interest lit his eyes as he studied me for a long moment, his head angled as if he were appraising me. “If you can manage punctuality for once, meet me at Roecliffe Chapel tomorrow at four.”
My brows arched toward my hairline. That was the last thing I might have expected.
“I thought to give you a tour—before you had a chance to trespass.” His face held no humor, yet I sensed a degree of pleasure in his words, as if he enjoyed teasing me about our previous two meetings.
My mouth formed a surprised O, and a warmth crept up my neck, spilling onto my cheeks. I could not fathom what might have possessed him to extend such an invitation after the tongue-lashing I’d given him yesterday afternoon. And after I’d nearly bowled him over just now.
He cocked his head to the side, his manner indifferent. “I see. You prefer to take your chances with our ill-tempered rector, then?”
“No, no,” I rushed to say. “It’s not that. I was only surprised at the invitation.”
“Then, I suggest you agree before I change my mind.”
I nodded. “Yes, of course I’ll come.” My stomach rolled as though I’d just climbed aboard a ship.
“At four tomorrow, then. Don’t be late.”
I nodded again, resuming muteness.
He placed his cane upright and used it for balance as he released his hold on the banister, the slightest grimace marring his features. We stood just a foot apart, so close the faint and comforting smell of pipe smoke reached me. My breath hitched as his dark sable eyes searched mine, making me warm and cold all at once. “Good afternoon, Miss Graham.”
“Your Grace,” I said, my breath ragged. I dipped a curtsy and then hurried out to the stables to meet the others.
Chapter Six
The reins sat loosely in my hands as I rode beside Lord Aberdeen. It was a perfect autumn day, the strength of the sun working to warm the crisp afternoon air. Though my wool riding habit kept my body warm enough, the cold air chilled my face, and if the faces of my riding companions were any indication, my nose was probably quite red.
If only the company were a little better. Lord Aberdeen was a perfect gentleman, but I’d grown weary of him asking if I was fatigued or if there was anything he could do to assist me. Especially when it was all he could do to keep astride his own mount.
“Shall we turn back?” Lady Ellen called from up ahead.
Tightening the reins, I brought my horse to a stop. Lord Aberdeen pulled up beside me, his every muscle taut as he struggled to keep his beast in check. “If we don’t head back now, we won’t be back in time to dress for dinner.”
I glanced heavenward at his response, trying to mask my annoyance while yearning to go on. Thankfully, the beautiful countryside more than made up for my tiresome companion. The breathtaking azure sky was a brighter blue than any painting. Large red- and orange-leaved trees dappled the landscape as the hills heralded the autumn months. Life back at Lymington Park, with all its cares and worries, seemed a world away. Out here in the fresh air, with nature’s splendor surrounding me, it seemed not to matter that Robert wanted more than I could give or that Aunt
