She didn’t answer right away but rather took a few moments to place her new husband’s paintings back in the leather portfolio. “It still strikes me as such an odd request.”
“As you have taken pains to point out, my actions often defy logic or reason. That I should choose to attend a staid country house party is simply a quirk of fancy.”
Her eyes suddenly narrowed. “A party with European diplomats and noblemen… Has this anything to do with Lord Lynsley?”
“If it did, cara, I should not be at liberty to say so.”
As he had hoped, his cousin did not press the point. Though she had never been officially informed as to the true nature of Lynsley’s work, she suspected there was more to his minor government position than met the eye. On several occasions, the marquess had consulted with the ‘Sinners’ on some very arcane—and lethal—scientific questions.
Alessandra sighed. “I’ve only seen Cluyne from afar, so I cannot offer my own impressions. But Kate says the duke is a bit of a tyrant. He is very regimented in his thinking, and does not take kindly to having his authority questioned.”
“The clash of wills between your fellow ‘Sinner’ and His Grace must put the Battle of Borodino to blush,” quipped Marco. “From what I have witnessed, Miss Woodbridge has very firm opinions of her own, and she is not afraid to voice them.”
“She had to be strong,” said Alessandra somewhat defensively. “Her parents were both free spirits, so someone had to handle the practical details, lest the family finances sink in the River Tick. So yes, she is used to making her own decisions in life, and does not fear to defy convention. Nor does she shrink away from a challenge. But I sense that beneath the hard shell, Kate is not quite so tough as she appears.” Light glinted off her rings as she toyed with the ties of the portfolio. “It is a pity that the duke cannot seem to understand that, and try to reach out just a little.”
Recalling the intriguing depth of Kate’s aquamarine eyes, and the defiant tilt of her chin, Marco felt a strange little tingle in his fingertips. “I will be happy to extend a comforting hand while I am at Cluyne Close,” he teased. “Maybe two.”
“You?” His cousin made a rude noise. “Santa Cielo, I shudder at the thought,” she added. “Do me a great favor and stay away from her. She is not one of your doxies or jaded widows.”
Given his rakehell reputation, he supposed he deserved the scold, and yet Marco found himself nettled by her tone. Flicking a mote of dust from his sleeve, he flashed a wolfish wink. “You’ve just taken great pains to tell me that Miss Woodbridge can look out for herself. So why not let her tell me if my advances are unwelcome?”
“She’s only agreed to attend the party so that she and Charlotte may spend some time studying the exotic plant specimens in Cluyne’s conservatory,” explained Alessandra. “Fending off your flirtations will only be an unwelcome distraction.”
“Most ladies don’t find my attentions so onerous.”
His cousin slapped a palm to the tabletop, signaling an end to the discussion. “Kate isn’t like most ladies—a fact that you would do well to remember unless you want—”
“Want my testicolos fed to the Tower lion,” finished Marco. “Or was it the ravens?”
Alessandra wagged a finger.
“Don’t worry, cara. Your friend has nothing to fear from me during the coming fortnight.”
“What a magnificent vista.” As the entrance drive took a last turn and emerged from a copse of beech trees, Charlotte craned her neck to peer out of the carriage window.
“Isn’t it,” murmured Kate, reluctantly allowing her gaze to take in the view. “Cluyne engaged Capability Brown to redesign this section of the grounds. The woods were opened up, the gardens shifted to create a better symmetry, and a number of evergreen hedges were planted to add texture and color.”
“Your grandfather has excellent taste. Brown’s genius in landscape design is legendary.”
“The duke can afford the very best,” replied Kate, hoping her words didn’t sound too waspish. She drew in a deep breath and tried to dispel the twinge of resentment she felt every time she entered the manicured grounds of Cluyne Close. The money spent on just one of the ornamental statues that graced the lush gardens would have paid for the physicians and medicines needed in Naples…
However, it was hard not to be impressed with the duke’s country estate. Sunlight played