Blue Skies (Gentlemen of Pleasure) by Mary Lancaster

Author:Mary Lancaster [Lancaster, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Historical, Romance
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2022-12-29T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Hope enjoyed the company of her small, lively nephew, though on the day of the fete, he felt a little like a shield. She knew several of the Harcourt neighbors and tenants and was happy to chat with them, but her nerves skittered at the thought of seeing the duke—or, more precisely, seeing his embarrassment when they inevitably ran into each other.

She had gone over and over every moment of their late-night encounter. In fact, she recalled everything he had ever said to her and come to the conclusion that while the attraction between them was undeniable, the last thing he wanted was to exchange the benign imprisonment of his family for one of marriage.

Had he not been warning her at the outset that such attractions were common and quickly spent? “It’s not unusual,” he had said about her silly obsession with Lord Calton and about his own past affairs. She had no reason to suppose she was any different from him, which was fine. She was happy to be flirted with. It made her day, her life, brighter. But she was rather afraid that in the bright light of day, he would be embarrassed or even ashamed of flirting quite so physically with his neighbor’s well-born sister.

Moreover, she was very well aware of his dislike of being pursued.

And so, she was glad of little Ollie’s presence to distract and cover any awkwardness. And to make it clear she was not pursuing him.

He was a friend, such as she had never had before.

A friend who kissed like…

Well, she didn’t really have the experience to describe it, except as delicious and thrilling. Even remembering his kisses made the butterflies whirl and dive in her stomach.

She was with the vicar’s wife and two sons, and a couple of the tenants’ children when she saw him.

Astonishingly, he seemed to be quite properly dressed, although in a lighter coat than most of the gentlemen. As though he had bought it abroad and never replaced it with anything staider. He also wore riding breeches, so she guessed he meant to take part in the horse races that were about to begin. For now, he was taking on Oliver in an archery contest.

He stretched the bow quite casually and loosed his arrow. Hope never saw where it landed for her gaze was on his face. Apart from an instant of concentration, he looked relaxed and friendly. He even laughed as he lowered the bow and bowed with a flourish to Oliver before dropping coins into the charity box and handing over the bow to the squire.

“I don’t recall seeing that gentleman before,” the vicar’s wife said avidly. “Is he a guest at Harcourt?”

“Oh, no. He stays over at Banbridge Hall. He is the Duke of Oatland.”

“Oh, my! However did Lady Wenning persuade him to… What a handsome young gentleman, too… Oh, he is coming our way!”

He had seen Hope and turned immediately in her direction. His utter lack of hesitation warmed her heart. Doubts seemed to slide off her like a discarded cloak.

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