The Duke Jokingly Asked Her to Find Him a Wife — “You May Be Looking at Her, Your Grace!”
Chapter 5
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"You might try speaking naturally.""I shall endeavor to survive the experience."She laughed. He smiled at the sound.For a few moments, they followed the music in comfortable silence. Then Maximilian said, "I believe I owe you an apology.""For what?""My earlier request.""You mean the search for a wife?""Precisely. I placed you in a rather awkward position before your friends.""You did nothing of the sort.""Nevertheless, I hope you did not feel obliged to answer as you did."Cecily looked genuinely surprised. "Your Grace, I assure you that no one has ever successfully obliged me to make a joke.""Then I am relieved. Although I ought to apologize for my answer.""Why? It was rather forward.""It was rather excellent."She looked at him. He met her gaze without embarrassment."I have attended a great many weddings, Miss Bennett. I cannot recall enjoying an introduction quite so much."A warmth rose unexpectedly into her cheeks. "That is very kind of you.""It is entirely selfish. I enjoy being entertained.""Then perhaps you should attend more weddings.""Perhaps." He considered her for a moment. "Although I suspect the quality of the company matters more than the occasion."Cecily looked away before her smile became too obvious. She was not accustomed to gentlemen speaking with such gentle directness, and she was certainly not accustomed to dukes doing so."Tell me," Maximilian said, "do you enjoy your work with your father?""Very much.""Even the old documents?""Especially the old documents.""An unusual preference.""Only to those who have never examined them properly.""I stand corrected.""Every document tells a story, Your Grace. A marriage settlement, a property transfer, an old letter preserved with an estate record. People imagine such things are merely names and dates, but they are pieces of lives."He regarded her with interest. "Have you ever found anything remarkable?""Once. A letter written by a gentleman to his wife 40 years after their wedding. It had been folded inside a property agreement.""What did it say?""Very little. He thanked her for remembering that he disliked pears."Maximilian blinked. "Pears?""She had apparently spent 40 years ensuring he was never served them.""That is devotion.""I thought so.""Or an extraordinary dislike of pears."Cecily laughed. "Possibly both.""And you consider that a romantic letter?""Very romantic.""More romantic than poetry?""Much more. Poetry is easily written when one is in love. Remembering a small kindness for 40 years requires considerably greater effort."Something in Maximilian's expression changed—not dramatically, but enough for Cecily to notice. "I believe," he said, "that you and I may agree on more things than I expected."The music softened toward its conclusion. Around them, the other couples slowed. Maximilian bowed; Cecily curtsied."Thank you for the dance, Miss Bennett.""Thank you, Your Grace."He offered his arm and escorted her to the edge of the room. Florence was waiting nearby, her expression suspiciously pleased."I hope we shall meet again," Maximilian said."I imagine we shall, Your Grace. The county is not so very large."