Earl Lessons by Valerie Bowman
Chapter Twenty-Five
After arriving at Worthington’s estate, David managed to keep busy the remainder of the day. He found Bell and the other gentlemen in Worthington’s study, and they all went for a ride across the duke’s vast property. David returned in time to clean up, change clothing, and make his way downstairs to the dinner party in the large dining room. Both the room and the table were enormous, but he spotted Annabelle sitting next to Murdock on the far end of the space. David refrained from shaking his head.
David was seated next to Lady Elspeth, his sister’s planning obviously at work. Lady Elspeth was her usual talkative self, and for once, he was glad for the distraction. He answered her questions and inquired after her sisters and mother and generally kept his attention fixed upon the young woman. He refused to look toward Annabelle.
David made it nearly halfway through dinner before he could no longer stand the small talk. He had to get some fresh air. A cigar wouldn’t be unwelcomed, either.
Excusing himself from the table, he made his way out of the dining room, down the corridor, and into the huge foyer. He glanced around the marble-filled space realizing he had no idea how to make it to the gardens. He tracked down a footman and asked how he might get outside.
The footman provided him directions to a patio off the library and David made his way there posthaste. He peered through the French doors to ensure the space was empty before stepping out into the cool breeze. He breathed it in and closed his eyes. It felt good to be alone and in complete silence for a few moments. The pleasantries in the dining room were wearing on him. Would he ever get used to exchanging such inane banter with people he barely knew?
He strode over to the edge of the stone patio near a hedgerow and pulled a cigar from his inside coat pocket. He would quit smoking. He would. For Marianne’s sake. But at the moment, he needed something familiar. He pulled a flint from his pocket and lit the cigar. Then he pulled it into his mouth and inhaled deeply, closing his eyes and letting the comfortable feeling wash over him. If he stayed like this for a few moments, he might be able to believe he was back on the Continent, standing near his tent, his compatriots sleeping on mats around him. He might feel as if he had turned back time. Only, the scent of flowers instead of a dirty battlefield was on the air tonight. An unmistakable difference.
David had taken several more drags when a quiet sound behind him caught his attention. He turned to see Annabelle step onto the patio. The soft evening wind blew the curls at her cheeks. The skirts of the light-green gown she was wearing fluttered in the breeze. She looked so beautiful, he felt it in his gut.
“There you are, David.” His name came from her lips like a whisper.
He furrowed his brow. “Come to tell me it was rude of me to leave the dining table? Believe me, I’d already guessed.”
“I left, too.” She pointed out. “May I?” She stepped toward him and gestured to the cigar.
David arched a brow. “By all means.” He handed it to her.
She took a deep pull and blew the smoke in the opposite direction. “This reminds me of the night we met.”
The hint of a smile touched his lips. “Yes, but this time you followed me outside.”
“Guilty,” she breathed, taking another pull.
David scratched the back of his neck. “Why did you come?”
She handed him the cigar again. “I wanted to see if you were all right.”
David bowed his head and kicked at the stones beneath his boots. “I needed some fresh air. Some quiet.”
She nodded. “I understand. I’ll go–”
“No.” He reached for her but let his hand drop before he touched her. “Stay, please.”
Annabelle turned back and studied his face. “Are you certain?”
“Yes. I’m certain.” He blew out the smoke he’d inhaled and returned the cigar to her.
“Very well.” Annabelle took another long drag. “So. Where have you been? I haven’t seen you in days. You weren’t at the Merriweathers’ dinner party three nights ago and I haven’t seen you riding in the park.”
“I’ve been staying at home.” He pulled the cigar from her fingers and took another drag.
“Yes, well. I suppose the last thing I said to you was that I’d see you at the wedding, and here we are.”
“I find I don’t like attending many of the social affairs of the Season,” David replied.
“But the social affairs were the reason I gave you lessons. Aren’t you looking for a wife?”
David paced away from her and scrubbed a hand through his hair. “I should be. Are you looking for a husband?”
“I should be.” Her voice was small.
“I have something for you, Annabelle.” He turned back and moved toward her again.
A puzzled expression played across her face. “Something…for me?”
“Yes, something to say ‘thank you’ for all the help you’ve given me.” Handing her the cigar, he pulled open his coat and took out a small parcel wrapped in brown paper and tied with a string. He handed it to her, taking back the cigar.
Annabelle accepted the parcel and turned it over in her hands. “What is it?”
He nodded toward the package. “Open it.”
She pulled off the string and unwrapped it. “It’s…” She glanced up at him. Tears shimmered in her ice-blue eyes. “A book.”
“Not just any book,” he said, biting his bottom lip and closely watching her face for her reaction.
Her hand gently caressed the book’s cover. “It’s Pride and Prejudice, the one I said I wanted. Where did you find it?”
David tipped his head to the side. “I went to a bookstore in London just before coming here.”
“Thank you,” she breathed, hugging the book to her chest. “No one has ever given me something so thoughtful.” She tilted back her head to meet his gaze.
He hadn’t been mistaken about the tears. She was even now blinking them away.
“Better than flowers or bon bons?” he prompted.
A smile touched her lips. She nodded. “So much better.”
He reached out and tapped the top of the book. “Curious that the book you wanted is about a young lady who has no intent to marry until the right man comes along.”
Her eyes were wide, and her mouth formed an O. “You read it?”
“Indeed, I did. Quite enjoyable,” he replied. “Lizzie reminded me of you.”
“She did?” Annabelle breathed.
“Certainly. Clever, determined, refuses to be told what to do,” he replied, handing her the cigar once more. “Magnificent. Just like you,” he said, and with that, he turned on his heel and strode back through the French doors.
On the way back to the dining room, David smiled to himself. He’d surprised her with the book and the fact that he’d read it. The look on her face had been pure wonder. That had been lovely. But a frown quickly took the place of his smile, because he realized he was in a great deal of trouble. There had been a funny feeling in his middle the entire time he’d been in Annabelle’s presence. And now he missed it.