She Hid Under a Table to Escape a Matchmaker — The Duke Was Already There
Chapter 8
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There was a laugh. She felt the familiar pleasure of a remark landing neatly and added the detail of the sandwich. More laughter.Someone asked who it was."A man of considerable position," she replied. "Though not a particularly elevated one on that occasion."Gilbert looked at her. She had expected him to smile. He did faintly, but the expression stopped at the corners of his mouth.The guests continued guessing. Daphne gave no name. The conversation moved elsewhere before anybody settled upon an answer. It should have been harmless. She had told a funny story about a man who had been funny himself. But when she looked towards him again, he was discussing something with his mother. His face had acquired the courteous distance it had not worn in the village.After luncheon, he went to the study. Daphne stood beside the drawing room door, wishing that feeling clever did not so often arrive a minute before feeling otherwise.She knocked at his study door. He admitted her, rose, and waited beside the desk. The effect was so thoroughly ducal that she nearly asked to make an appointment."I have come to apologize.""There is no need.""I think there is. I made a joke about something that belonged to both of us, and let the ridiculous part belong entirely to you."He looked at her. "You gave no name.""I wanted the laugh without the inconvenience of admitting I had been there, too."Gilbert was quiet for a moment. It was difficult to remain comfortably offended when she had identified the exact thing he had been trying not to mind."It was funny," he said."I know. That doesn't seem to have improved it."His mouth moved—almost a smile. "I enjoyed being foolish with you. I didn't particularly enjoy wondering whether everyone would be invited to watch."She lowered her eyes. "I'm sorry."He drew out a chair for her. She sat, relieved by the small, ordinary action."I ought to have told you," he said. "Instead, I put on the expression that generally causes people to withdraw without asking questions.""It is a very accomplished expression.""Years of practice."She looked up, and this time they both smiled."I do that when I am uncertain," she admitted. "Find something amusing before somebody notices. I have nothing more impressive to offer.""I hadn't found you unimpressive."Her face warmed. "That is kind.""It wasn't intended as an act of charity."Neither spoke for a moment. The study had become much quieter than a room with an open window ought to have been.Then Daphne noticed the pages in his hand. "Is that your speech?""An abandoned attempt.""May I hear it?"He considered her. "Will there be a performance at dinner?"She met his eyes. "No."He sat on the other side of the desk and read the first two sentences. By the end of the second, Daphne was looking at him with intense restraint.