“What?”
Sarah blinked. She hadn’t meant to say that out loud. Well, what was done was done. Turning, she told Athena, “I’m going over to his home tomorrow to see a folly he’s building.”
“Next door?”
“Yes. In his back garden.” The more she thought of it, the more excited she was to see his creation. She’d not lied when she said he’d spoken of it with great passion. It was his project - something he cared about - and this alone was enough to spark her curiosity. She realized Athena was gaping at her. “I’ll have to have a proper escort, of course. Hopefully, Mama and Papa won’t mind.”
Athena just nodded.
“Did I not tell you to stay away from him?” Sarah’s father asked that evening at dinner when Sarah mentioned her walk with Brunswick. He and his wife had both been out for most of the day, so Sarah had not had the chance to broach the subject until now. “I thought I was very clear.”
“You were, Papa, and I did not thwart your wishes,” Sarah assured him. “The duke came to call on me entirely of his own volition. I couldn’t very well turn him away when he went to the trouble of bringing flowers.”
“The bouquet of roses in the parlor?” Mama asked. “I wondered where those had come from.”
Papa shook his head as if in defeat and groaned before taking another bite of his food.
“Brunswick has invited me to visit his home tomorrow afternoon,” Sarah said, “and since I cannot go alone, I’m hoping you will be able to join me.”
“Unfortunately, we have a prior engagement with the Glenfitches tomorrow,” Sarah’s mother explained. “I’m sorry, but it would be horribly rude of us to cancel at such short notice.”
“Of course,” Sarah said. She pondered her less agreeable options. “I’ll have to ask one of my brothers then.”
“Are you sure you want to further your acquaintance with him, Sarah?” Her father gave her a direct look. “Visiting his home immediately after he brought you flowers would suggest an interest on your part.”
“You could postpone until next week,” her mother said. “I believe our schedule is more open then.”
“I’d rather not wait,” Sarah said.
Everyone stared at her but it was her father who spoke. “I’m not sure I understand why.”
Sarah shrugged and took another bite while wondering what Brunswick might be doing at that same moment. Was he sitting in a big empty dining room all alone, or had he gone out to his club? “My encounter with him today was a great success. I feel as though the duke and I have begun forming a friendship of sorts, and I would like to take advantage of that.”
“For the sake of helping him with his broken heart.” Papa took a deep breath – the kind that seemed to suggest he needed additional strength to deal with his daughter. “He is not your responsibility, Sarah.”
“I am aware, but we’ve been over this already so you know my position.” She wasn’t ready to suggest she might eventually marry him. That particular conversation would have to wait until she’d figured out whether or not Brunswick could be the sort of man she’d want to spend the rest of her life with.
“The fish is excellent by the way,” her father added. “Carp, is it?”
“Indeed.” Sarah beamed. “Brunswick caught it.”
Her father choked on the bite he’d just taken. Coughing, he reached for his wine and drank. “You went fishing with him?”
“Yes. It was actually a great deal of fun.”
“Really?” A secretive smile teased Mama’s lips. “Perhaps we were too quick to judge him.”
“I seriously doubt that,” Papa grumbled. “Marching into a garden party and asking a woman you’ve never met to marry you is not normal behavior.”
“I agree,” Sarah said, “but I have decided to give him a second chance.”
“Just don’t ask Charles to go with you tomorrow. He’s too overbearing.”
“She’s going to visit an unmarried man in his home,” Papa said. “I don’t think I’d mind a bit of overbearingness from her eldest brother.”
“Nonsense, my dear,” Sarah’s mother responded. “We’ve raised a responsible young woman. I’ve no doubt we can trust her.”
“Neither do I,” Papa said. “But we’d also be trusting a duke who’s very determined to wed her.”
“I see.” Sarah’s mother’s eyes twinkled. “You’re worried he might be as daring as you were with me.”
“We need to put an end to this conversation right now,” Athena told Sarah. “Before they say something we can’t un-hear.”
A bright pink blush colored their mother’s cheeks “Remember how you used to–”
“I’ll ask them all and see which one can spare the time,” Sarah blurted. She took a long swallow of wine. “If you will excuse me, I think I’d better dispatch the missives right away. It’s already rather late.”
“I’ll help,” Athena said.
“Yes, yes,” their mother murmured, her attention fixed entirely on her husband while he looked at her in a way Sarah hoped she would soon forget.
She fled the room with Athena close behind and went to find her writing supplies. Two hours later, she had her answer. Charles, James, and William would all be joining her for the visit. Because, as they’d each written back, they didn’t know Brunswick well and what they did know, they didn’t like. In other words, they wanted to know what she saw in him and why she’d developed a sudden interest.
Sarah sighed. This wasn’t what she’d wanted. Enjoying a bit more laughter with Brunswick while getting to know him better would be impossible with three protective men guarding her against the threat of inappropriate innuendos and stolen kisses.
Not that she anticipated any of those.
With a groan of frustration she got into bed and did her best to clear her head. Now was not the time to start wondering what Brunswick’s lips might feel like against her own. And yet, it took longer than she wanted for sleep to finally claim her.
WHEN FRIEDRIECHSEN showed Miss Townsbridge onto the terrace where Matthew had chosen to wait for her, he did not expect the lady to be followed by all three of her brothers. Of course, it was his own fault. If he’d only told his butler to announce her arrival instead of showing her straight through, the man would have had a chance to mention it.
Schooling his features in an effort to mask his surprise and his growing unease, Matthew stood and greeted his guests. “Miss Townsbridge. It is a pleasure to see you again.”
Ignoring the three stony-faced men flanking her, he stepped forward, took her hand in his, and placed a swift kiss upon her gloved knuckles.
“Your Grace,” she murmured, allowing a smile to curve toward the pink blush now filling her cheeks. “I must apologize for my entourage. It wasn’t my intention to invade your home like this, but my parents were otherwise occupied, and when I asked my brothers if they could spare the time, they all insisted on coming along.”
“It’s quite all right,” Matthew assured her even though his stomach was now tied in a knot. Proving himself in front of Miss Townsbridge’s parents was one thing, but her brothers? He’d rather eat crud. “They’re just being protective.”