Page 5 of An Unfamiliar Duke

“Of course, miss.” Nora was already at the wardrobe. “Which hat would you prefer this morning?”

“The straw one with the large daisies, I think,” Rosalind said. She needed something cheery.

After handing Rosalind the wide-brimmed hat, Nora slipped out to fetch her own bonnet. Rosalind tied the ribbons beneath her chin and studied her reflection in the looking glass. Her thick dark hair was piled upon her head save for the ringlets framing her face. Her small nose and chin were unremarkable, the smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose regrettable, and her large brown eyes were currently filled with apprehension.

She took a steadying breath. This would not do. She was made of sterner stuff than this. Tugging at the lace on the sleeves of her gown, she raised her chin and nodded crisply at her reflection. Courage. She would find the courage she needed to face the Duke of Kelbrook, even if it took wandering the paths of the nearby park until midday to lay claim to it.

Chapter 3

Sebastian walked the tree-lined street, enjoying the feel of the late morning sun on his shoulders. After having been confined to his carriage for the six-days’ journey from Scotland to London, he had chosen to walk the short distance between Hartford House and the Langtons’ residence. He had almost convinced himself that he was happy for the exercise, but truth be told, he was in no great hurry to arrive at his destination. This was a visit he had been postponing for some time.

He passed a governess with her young charges in tow. The lady inclined her head politely, the two children at her side chattering happily about their excursion to the park. A blackbird sang from a nearby ash tree, and from around the corner came the rumble of an approaching carriage.

“Quickly, Nora.”

The unexpected voice startled him. Sebastian slowed his steps, looking toward the sound. Beyond the bend in the road, the echo of feet hitting the pavement increased in speed, and over the sound of the vehicle’s creaking wheels, the female voice reached him again.

“We must hurry. That may be his carriage.”

He spotted a blur of pale blue through the trees moments before someone barreled around the corner and ran straight into his chest. With a grunt of surprise, he staggered back a couple of paces. The young lady cried out in alarm, and he reached for her elbow.

“Steady now,” he said.

A large-brimmed straw hat covered in daisies effectively hid his assailant’s face as she backed away.

“Oh my goodness! I do beg your pardon.” Her gloved hands rose to cover her cheeks.

“No harm done,” he said.

“I am glad to hear it, although that hardly absolves me from such unladylike behavior.”

Sebastian’s lips twitched. No matter the decoration on her hat, this lady was no wilting flower. Neither was she a tradeswoman or servant. Not only was her muslin gown of the finest quality and latest fashion, but her maid was also standing a few feet away, staring at them both with eyes the size of saucers.

He tilted his head slightly, hoping to catch a glimpse of the person beneath the wide head covering. “Is your balance restored?”

The hat moved up and down. “I believe so.”

Releasing her arm, he took a step back. She lowered her hands from her cheeks and raised her face. Her eyes were a deep, warm brown. Tiny freckles smattered her nose, and her perfectly shaped lips were parted in a hesitant smile. A red welt marked her left cheekbone, and unless he was mistaken, the injury was recent.

“Forgive me. I neglected to inquire as to whether you were hurt,” he said.

She raised her left hand again and probed her cheek tentatively. “It is nothing.”

Sebastian frowned. Surely she would not know to touch her face unless it pained her. She moved her fingers, and he spotted a drop of blood on her glove.

“You have grazed your cheek.”

She looked from her glove to Sebastian’s jacket, a hint of pink coloring her face. “I did not realize that a close encounter with a brass button might prove dangerous.”

Sebastian glanced down. Two rows of etched brass buttons sparkled against the cream-colored silk of his waistcoat, and to his dismay, those at the top were positioned at the exact height of the young lady’s wound.

“I confess to being equally uninformed. My tailor gave me no warning that these buttons might be hazardous to bolting females.” He raised an eyebrow. “I hope you can forgive us both.”

The hint of a smile teased her lips. “There is nothing to forgive; I was completely at fault. I was in too great a hurry to reach . . .” She paused midsentence, her open countenance shuttering before his eyes. “The mark . . . is it terribly noticeable?” She looked at her maid. “Nora, can this scratch be concealed?”

The maid stepped forward and studied her mistress’s cheek. “I believe a little powder will do the trick, miss.”

The lady sighed with relief. “Then we’d best go and apply some right away.” She turned back to Sebastian. “Please accept my apologies once more, sir. I would promise to never fall victim to such unladylike behavior again, but as I shall have to run all the way home to make up for this delay, I would instantly be guilty of uttering a terrible falsehood—which would only add to today’s list of failings.”