“Why have you never approached him?”
“I…I don’t know. He always seems upset when he’s at the gatherings.”
Her father nodded. “He has been rejected and spit upon by both ladies and gentlemen for some time now. Because of the scar. Do you not find that unattractive?”
“I feel it brings certain character to his face that he would not otherwise have.”
“The blade came dangerously close to taking his eye, did you know that?”
“I did not.” Marie lifted her hands to put over her mouth in surprise. “He was blessed to keep his eyes then!”
“Yes, he was. All right, dear, he will be here any minute. I will go out and greet him and see if he is willing to do the swap.” He smiled, and she grinned back.
“Thank you, Papa.”
As they pulled away from the house, Marie’s heart was thumping in her chest so hard she thought it might come out somehow. She looked up to the second floor and saw Jenny standing in the corner of her window, watching them. She lifted one hand slightly and waved. Jenny waved back.
“So your sister has taken ill, has she?” Phillip asked, looking down at her. She felt herself being analyzed and wondered what he thought of her.
“Yes, she has a migraine.”
“Oh, that’s very unfortunate then. My good wishes go to her.”
She smiled, scanning his face the way he was with her.
“I have not danced with you, have I?” Phillip asked.
She tilted her head slightly to the side and responded, “Only last Season, sir. Not this one.”
“Please dispense of the ‘sir.' I would ask that you call me Phillip.”
She blushed. “Thank you, Phillip.”
“And I’ll call you Marie.”
“Yes, si..Yes, Phillip.”
He chuckled. “You are always behind the piano, aren’t you?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“You play well. The music is lovely every time.”
“Thank you so much.” Her cheeks were on fire, and she had to hide her smile behind her hands for fear it might look silly for her to be smiling so big.
Phillip was secretly glad that Jenny had not been able to come on the carriage ride. As soon as he had left the Downing mansion, he’d known he’d made a mistake. There was no reason to choose so soon and so abruptly, especially when he didn’t know the young woman, Jenny, very well. She was pretty, delicate and young. He knew that she was not abrasive or the kind of woman who would shame him in public. Even if they never found love, at least, he would retain his dignity, and her beauty was outstanding.
But the longer he looked at Marie, the more he realized that she held a special kind of beauty he hadn’t seen before. At the balls and dances, she always seemed like a part of the furniture…or the musical instruments anyway. She blended in with her piano. He didn’t know any of the other key players in the orchestra either. But this one…his interest was growing by the moment. When she looked at him, it wasn’t with hard eyes, curious eyes that always landed on his scar or a look of mindless obedience. Her eyes screamed that she cared about him, even though she barely knew him.
Marie wasn’t used to be scrutinized in such a manner. She was aching to know what he was thinking about her. She didn’t have to wait very long.
“Did you send Cornelius over to talk to me at the ball, Marie?” he asked. She blushed furiously, and he knew what the answer was.
“I did. I hope that wasn’t too forward of me.”
“Not at all, Marie, not at all. Have you been thinking about doing that for a while?”
Marie hesitated. “All…all season.”
“Well.” He didn’t continue, and she was forced to look up and see how his face looked. She didn’t see his scar anymore. She saw a pair of soft brown eyes, wavy brown hair and a trim beard and mustache. She saw a handsome, kind-looking man and hoped he was seeing what he desired in her.
He held out his hand, and she rested hers in it. He lifted it and gave her hand a soft kiss. “You are a very sweet young lady.”
“I admire you, too, my lord.”
He shook his head. “Phillip, my dear. If we are to court, you will need to call me Phillip. I cannot have a future wife calling me “my lord.”
His words sent a shockwave of excitement and warm pleasure through her whole body. Her smile beamed out at him. He couldn’t help smiling back.
“You are lovely, Marie.”
“Oh, Phillip.” She giggled.
“Were you hoping I would feel this way?”
“I was, yes.”
He nodded. “Good. I see you are an honest woman, unafraid to speak the truth. I like that. I think we will get along well.”
He took her hand and kissed it again, sending chills up Marie’s arm. She felt weak in the knees and was glad they were taking a ride instead of going for a walk.
“I believe we will, Phillip,” Marie sighed. “I believe we will.”
*****
THE END
CLEAN REGENCY Romance - A Deal with A Duke