The man bowed. “This way, Your Grace.”

Kendal had been serious about never having so much fun shopping. And it amazed and impressed him that Lady Thalia had put so much thought into each item she bought. Was that the product of never having the freedom to shop on her own before? Or was it simply her nature?

He thought of his older sisters’ shopping expeditions, and how quickly they lost interest in much of what they’d bought. Come to think of it, except for birthdays and Christmas, they had rarely purchased gifts for others.

Yet, Lady Thalia had seemed to have a mental list of people who might like a present. Including those who could well afford whatever they wanted, such as her sisters and mother. Was she the person Berwick had meant Kendal to meet?

His mentor had been against Kendal’s first marriage, one that had been arranged by his father when he’d been just a year or two old. Since his wife’s death, he’d been almost afraid to consider marrying again. But perhaps it was time to start thinking of what he wanted in a wife he chose himself.

At the first floor, the landlord escorted them to a door, opened it and stood aside. Kendal stepped inside with Lady Thalia, expecting to see two or possibly three ladies. Instead he found six ladies and three gentleman, all of whom he knew from Town, plus four children. With the exception of the Duchess of Hull and her companion, all of the other people were related to Lady Thalia in one form or another, the Duchess of Melbrough being her aunt.

“Kendal.” The Duke of Bolton, a brother-in-law, was holding a tiny child who could not be more than two months old. “Find a seat. The ale is excellent.”

The Marquis of Hawksworth, Lady Thalia’s eldest brother, held the hand of a small child trying to walk, and the Marquis of Markville, another brother-in-law, took another small baby from his wife.

Lady Thalia slid him a look. “I was going to introduce you, but you seem to know everyone.”

“Yes. I have known them all for some time.” Still, despite knowing the gentlemen and their wives, he had not expected to see them here.

“Yesterday was the first time I was able to meet Markville.” Thalia’s perfect pink lips formed a line. “My father allows only Bolton and my sister Laia to visit. Bolton is a very nice man and devoted to my sister. I am glad they were able to marry.”

A story hid behind that remark, Kendal was sure. “I have heard that your father and Hawksworth do not get on.”

“I am not sure there are many people my father likes or who like him.” They were the first harsh words he’d heard from her, but she was right. It must be difficult to have a father like Somerset.

A middle-aged lady with the same silvery tresses as Lady Thalia and her sisters rose and came toward him. “Kendal, I am Catherine Somerset. I am pleased you could join us.” She looked at her daughter. “Thalia, you should make him known to your aunt and sisters.”

“I think he knows Laia and Euphrosyne,” Thalia said.

She cast him a questioning look, and he nodded.

“Do you know my aunt Melbrough as well?”

“Yes.” He smiled. “I have had that pleasure.”

“In that case,” Thalia’s mother said, “come join us for tea.”

What they considered tea looked more like a full meal. Platters filled with meats, cheeses, fruits, and bread were spread out on the table. His stomach growled, and next to him, Lady Thalia chuckled. “It is not nice to make fun of hungry gentlemen.” She glanced at Hawksworth, then back to Kendal. “But we make fun of my brother for his appetite all the time.”

He had heard about her brother’s ravenous hunger. In fact, many of the man’s close friends teased him about it. And he wanted her to be herself with him. In this family, being a duke was not a distinction that made others stand on ceremony. “You might have a point.”

“Come. I shall make it up to you by fixing you a plate.” She drew him to the table. “What do you like most?”

She smiled happily at him, and for some reason his eyes saw only her lips. What did he want most? Other than her? With an effort, he dragged his gaze to the food. “I am quite partial to beef and cheddar.”

He held out a chair for her, and once she had taken her seat, she busied herself piling slices of rare beef and two huge chunks of cheddar cheese on a plate, then added bread and strawberries before handing it to him. “There.”

Kendal doubted any gentleman had ever served her, and that was a great pity. He took a plate. “What would you like?”

Her turquoise eyes widened, and a look of wonder appeared on her face. “Me?”

He nodded. “I did tell you that I am yours to command.”

“So you did.” For a moment, she looked at him as if he were the strangest creature she had ever met, then her eyes twinkled enchantingly. And his breath caught in his chest. “I would like some ham, cheddar cheese, and strawberries.” She lowered her thick lashes. “I am very partial to strawberries.”

He’d never given the fruit much thought. His gardener forced them, and, therefore, they were available whenever Kendal liked. “As am I. I especially like them in tarts.”

“Mmmm.” She sighed. “Strawberry tarts are lovely. I used to think our cook made the best ones, but my aunt’s cook does something special to them, and I like her tarts even better.”

He wished he could take her to his estate in Kent and let her eat all the berries she wanted. But now he needed to work out a way to be invited to dinner at her aunt’s house. They must have a property in the area. He had to spend more time with her. “I would love to taste them sometime.”

She daintily cut a bit of ham and ate it. “I shall ask her to invite you.”

Kendal made a sandwich of some of his beef and cheddar. “Do you see any mustard?”

“Oh, yes.” She plucked a small earthenware container from her other side. “Here it is.”

Taking the jar, he dipped in a spoon and spread the mustard on his beef. “How long will you be here?”

“At least until the beginning of July.” Her forehead creased, and Kendal wanted to smooth the lines away. “Then I do not know what will happen.” She took another piece of meat and chewed thoughtfully, then shook her head. “What do you think of the birth of Princess Alexandrina?”

“I hope she lives.” The royal family had had a great deal of bad luck when it came to legitimate children.

Lady Thalia’s brows puckered. “I do as well. I hope there are others.”

“That would be a good thing for all of us.” He cut a piece of beef. “I am concerned about the unrest around the country.”

“I agree.” She eyed the strawberries, but stabbed another piece of ham with her fork. She was very disciplined for a younger lady. “The accounts are not comforting. There is too much poverty and hunger. The Corn Laws were a mistake. Reform must be passed or there is going to be a lot of trouble.”

That she knew about the plight of the poor was surprising. That she supported reform pleased him to no end. “You are well informed.”

She gave him a small smile. “Despite how close I have been kept, I am allowed to read. Once my father is done with the papers, they are sent to my mother’s rooms. She and I review them, and we discuss the events. I have a great deal of time to think as well.”

“What does your father think of that?” Kendal could not imagine her father would approve.

“I do not believe he knows. Or is interested in knowing. His apartments are on the other side of the castle.”

The noise of the others in the parlor became a low drone, like the buzzing of bees, as Kendal gazed at Lady Thalia and decided he had to get to know her much, much better indeed.




CHAPTER 3




THALIA WAS happy and terrified at the same time. She and Kendal were in the middle of her family talking as if they were the only two people in the room, and everyone had been letting let them do it. Her mother was in a deep conversation with the duchess, and her brother and sisters and their spouses were playing with the children. No one was paying any attention to her and Kendal at all.

“Do you ever dream of traveling?” he asked.

She dreamed of everything, and right now this man was making her want to dream of even more. “I dream of being able to visit my other brothers and their wives . . . well, except that I do not know if I would like to cross the ocean. Frank, my second-eldest brother, lives in America with his wife and her family.”

Kendal leaned forward excitedly. “Did you know a steamship is crossing the ocean as we speak? It might even have made port by now.” His eyes gazed off into the distance. “Someday ships will cross in a matter of days as opposed to weeks.”

That would be wonderful. “If that happens, I shall visit.” One of the servants brought tea, and she poured him a cup. “Milk and sugar?”

“A bit of both, please.” She handed him the cup, and he took a drink. “Excellent. Thank you.”

“Do you have brothers and sisters?” Suddenly it was important to know everything about him.

“I have two older sisters. They are both married with their own lives and children.” He grinned. “My oldest nephew is a year older than I am and married last year.”

“Who is he?” She might not have met anyone, but she had practically memorized Debrett’s. And she might have read about the wedding in the paper.

“The Marquis of Quorndon.”

“I read about it. Did he not wed about the same time as Earl Elliott?”

“Yes.” Kendal grinned again. He seemed like a very good-natured gentleman. “As a matter of fact, it was Elliott’s wife who introduced Quorndon to his wife.”

She tried not to feel jealous over the freedom other ladies had. “That was nice of her.”

“My aunt certainly thinks so. She had almost given up hope that he’d find the right match.” Kendal ate the rest of his beef and moved on to the cheese.

Thalia still had more food than she should have on her plate. They had been talking so much, she’d forgotten to eat. They sat in comfortable silence while they devoted themselves to their plates. Then she picked up a strawberry, bit into it, and quickly brought up a finger to stop the juice from running down her chin. Kendal eyes caught hers, making her breath falter.

Goodness. It was much too soon to react this way to a gentleman. Or she thought it was. But what if it was not? Both her sisters had fallen in love in a matter of a few weeks. Could it happen even sooner?

“Thalia.” His voice was a harsh whisper. “Take my serviette.”

Such a simple thing, a napkin, and she had her own. But he’d called her by her name. She should tell him it was too soon, that she had not given him permission. Yet the way her name sounded on his lips made her want him to continue. “Thank you.”

“We should go back the house now.” Her aunt’s voice filled the room, ending Thalia’s discussion with Kendal. “You will all want to rest before this evening’s activities.”

“What is going on tonight?” he asked.

“There is to be dancing in the village, and everyone will stay up until it is dark.” Or that is what she had been told. “I have never been to something like this.”

He took her hand. “Dance with me tonight.”

“Yes.” She had also never been asked to dance. “I would be delighted.”

“Kendal,” the Duchess of Hull said, “you are invited to stay for the festivities.”

Thalia held her breath as she waited for him to answer. Fortunately, it did not take long.

“Thank you, Your Grace. I will take you up on your kind offer. If you do not mind, my lady?” He glanced at her as if truly asking for her permission.

She wanted him to call her by her name again, but the rest of her family was listening. So much was happening at once, Thalia was almost overwhelmed. Yet this was what she wanted. “I have no objection at all.”

Kendal’s silver gaze remained on her. “Thank you.” Then he bowed to Thalia’s aunt.

“Thank you. I’d like that very much.”

“You will have to spend the night here,” the Duchess of Hull. “It is too dangerous to cross the river after dark. As soon as I return, I shall send your valet across with a change of clothing.”

Thalia could feel the movement around them, but it was as if they were in their own space that no one could violate . . . until little Giffard, Meg and Hawksworth’s son, toddled against her leg and grabbed onto it. “What have we here?”

The nine-month-old baby gazed up at her with his mother’s blue eyes.

“I have him.” Meg scooped Giffard up, and wrinkled her nose as she looked at Thalia’s gown. “I’m afraid he got his sticky hands on your gown.”

“I’m sure it is nothing my maid cannot remedy.” The wrinkles his hands had left might be harder to repair. “I would like to spend more time with him before we leave.”