May the Best Duke Win by Paulia Belgado

Author:Paulia Belgado
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-06-07T13:02:50+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

The following morning started out well enough, with the Dowager Duchess gathering everyone at the manor and explaining that the picnic would take place in a lovely meadow on the estate. The servants had gone on ahead to set up tables, food, and some amusements like archery and nine pins. The guests would have a lovely stroll to the picnic spot.

The food was scrumptious, as usual, with plenty of cold sandwiches, salads, teacakes, and lemonade and ginger beer to go around. When they’d finished the meal, the Dowager Duchess invited everyone to go for a walk in the wooded area nearby.

‘I have an idea,’ Maddie whispered to Kate. ‘You, Seagrave and I will stay in the rear of the group. When we get deep into the woods, pretend that you’ve lost something. A piece of jewellery, perhaps. Tell Seagrave that it has much sentimental value to you. He’ll offer to help you find it, and you can retrace your steps to lead him back. Once you’re alone, then you must kiss him.’

‘All right...’ It was worth a try.

The party gathered and marched towards the dense woodland. One of the guests, Sir Elliot Mimsby, was somewhat of a nature-lover, and pointed out various flora and fauna along the way. While everyone was engrossed by Sir Elliot’s lecture about the difference between a chaffinch and a bullfinch, Kate brought a hand to her ear, unclipped her earring, then dropped it into her pocket. Then she gasped and covered her mouth with her hand.

‘Oh, dear, where is it?’

‘What’s wrong, Miss Mason?’ Seagrave asked.

‘It seems my earring has fallen off.’ She tried to sound distressed. ‘It was my dear grandmother’s, too.’

‘A priceless heirloom,’ Maddie added for effect. ‘Whatever will you do?’

‘I must find it,’ Kate replied. ‘It’s the only thing I have left of her.’

‘You must help her, Your Grace,’ Maddie urged Seagrave. ‘Please.’

‘But what about the others?’ He gestured at the rest of the group, who had gone on ahead as Sir Elliot dragged them to a tree to point out a nest of baby birds.

‘I’m sure the earring must have fallen somewhere behind us on the trail.’ Maddie smiled sweetly at him. ‘You can catch up with us.’

‘Oh, please, Your Grace?’ Kate batted her eyelashes at him. ‘It would mean so much to me.’

He seemed to hesitate, but then nodded. ‘Of course, Miss Mason.’

When Seagrave had turned and retreated down the path Kate straightened her shoulders and followed as he craned his head left and right, looking for the lost earring. When the path turned a corner, she retrieved the earring from her pocket, then tossed it halfway between them.

‘Your Grace!’ She strode closer to him. ‘There!’

He swung round and looked down. Spying the earring, he bent to pick it up. She did the same thing, hoping he would accidentally bump into her, even angling her body sidewards. He moved much faster than she’d anticipated, however, and when she leaned down he raised his head, knocking their foreheads together.

Seagrave let out a curse and slapped a hand over his right eye.

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