Page 24 of Duke in Darkness

“I like your laugh,” he said.

“It’s terrible. Sometimes I snort like a horse,” she said quickly, to hide her bashful pleasure at his words which were entirely lacking in any fanfare or flowery speech—and yet somehow more appealing because of it. When her late fiancé had complimented her, he had always been extravagant. As if more words made the gesture more impressive.

Oh no. What was wrong with her today? Two disloyal thoughts.

Exton ate in silence for a few minutes, then he dabbed at his mouth with his napkin. “I met with…some of my stewards earlier.”

“Oh, yes?” Lilian replied, both relieved and disappointed at the change of topic. “How did that go?”

“We’ll see. I liked one in particular. Fairlie, from the Rutland estate. Invited him back tomorrow. To talk ledgers and meet you.”

Anticipation warmed her from head to toe. “Really?”

“Told him you have…a special interest in soils. Planting. He understands you’ll stay.”

Lilian looked at her husband in surprise. She’d told him that during their first meeting on the balcony, but not for a moment had she thought he would remember. “I’d like that very much. It will be interesting to see the decisions he has made in overseeing your lands, and how they compare to your other stewards. Perhaps in the summer we could take a tour of the estates. See firsthand how the crops and orchards fare and if the tenants are content. I mean, ah, if you wish to.”

“Perhaps you might box my ears…if we do not.”

Hot color flooded Lilian’s cheeks. “I most certainly would never! I…” her voice trailed off at the sight of his lips twitching.

Exton had just teased her.

Her spirits soaring, she reached over and lightly smacked his hand. “Really, Your Grace,” she murmured, so the footmen didn’t hear her. “You should be sent to your chamber without any sweets.”

“Such a harsh governess. Although I confess…bed does sound appealing.”

Lilian nearly choked at his risqué words, until she studied him more closely in the light of the dining room chandelier. And frowned. How had she missed how utterly weary Exton looked? His face was drawn, his eyes a trifle bloodshot, even his usually military rigid shoulders were a fraction stooped. “Have you not been sleeping well?”

He tensed, all the amusement leaving his eyes until they resembled hard, cold onyx. “I don’t…sleep much.”

“Oh,” she murmured, dismayed at the chasm opening up between them after a lovely half hour, and unable to think of a way to close that distance. “A tisane, perhaps? I could—”

“It won’t help,” Exton bit out. Then he got to his feet and bowed. “Good evening, Lilian.”

“Good evening,” she replied, but she spoke to his back as he limped from the room.

For several long moments she stared at her wineglass, one fingertip tracing the delicate lines of the sculpted crystal as her mind whirled. Her husband could be rather sweet, and had a dry sense of humor she enjoyed. Finally he had spoken candidly about his supper likes and dislikes, something practical she could rectify immediately to please him. But now she’d learned he didn’t sleep, and the wretched curiosity that Grandmother had never been able to beat out of her, desperately wanted to know why. His injuries? Another reason?

Gabriel, Duke of Exton, intrigued her. And as each day passed, she found herself wanting to know more about him, not superficial things, but personal. To have more than a typical ton marriage.

Would he ever let her into his private world?

CHAPTER 6

“Y our Grace, please concentrate. I don’t want to add a scar, your collection is more than sufficient.”

Gabriel glanced at Hobbs, who stood across from him in the empty antechamber they used for exercise, rapier in hand and decidedly exasperated. It hurt like hell, even balancing mostly on one foot, to fence. As it did to box the large, leather-covered cushion his valet held up, or complete the various stretches his physician had recommended. But the last thing he wanted was his limbs to wither, or to become too physically weak to walk or ride. So he forced himself, even when exhausted, to set aside an hour for exercise most days. “As you hold a weapon…and have full use of both feet, I apologize.”

His valet snorted. “Keeping up your extensive skills is important. Never know when you’ll need them. I know Her Grace is trying very hard to implement new rules and standards downstairs, and some have fallen into line, but there are still far too many others who have not, and they are damned insolent. Should you choose to rearrange the countenance of Mr. Norris, perhaps divest him of an ear or that beak of a nose, I will gladly dispose of the evidence.”

Gabriel almost smiled at the thought, and yet guilt twisted his stomach. Not only had he failed in making progress with the stewards, he’d been bloody lax with the household led by the butler, Norris, and the housekeeper, Mrs. Barrett, and it showed. In the pain-filled, sleepless, drunken haze of the past six months he’d gritted his teeth at the kind of laziness and poor work ethic he wouldn’t have tolerated for a minute in the army, but now as a married man the situation had become intolerable. “I’m aware of Lilian’s efforts. That is why…”

“Yes?” asked Hobbs, as their rapiers crossed in a slow but still deadly dance of thrust and parry.

“I’m planning an outing. To buy her a gift.”

The older man’s eyebrows flew into his hairline before his face broke out in a huge grin. “Oh! Do you wish me to accompany you? To assist in negotiations?”