A Portrait of Love (The Academy of Love #3) - Minerva Spencer Page 0,20

losing so many children.

The dowager’s eyes flickered to her elder son, as if she’d suddenly realized the subject she’d inadvertently introduced.

But the duke didn’t appear to have heard, his gaze still fixed on his younger brother.

Simon was methodically consuming the contents of his plate and appeared uninterested in either the subject of infant mortality or large families.

In fact, he did not speak another word for the duration of the meal.

Not until the women rose to leave did the marquess open his mouth again.

He stood and went to his niece, dropping a kiss on her cheek. “Have a jolly evening, Becks.” He walked past Raymond, ignoring his cousin entirely, and then paused beside his brother, his smile sliding off his face like ice shearing from an iceberg. “I’ll leave you to your port, Wyndham. I’m for town.” He kissed his mother’s hand and gave Honey a mocking bow before leaving.

The duchess turned to Honey once the door had slammed shut behind her son. “You must be tired from your journey, Miss Keyes. Perhaps you care to retire?”

“Thank you, your grace. I am somewhat fatigued.” Honey didn’t tell the older woman that the tense dinner had been far more tiring than the long journey.

Chapter Six

The following morning a maid delivered a terse message to Honey along with her hot water.

It was from the duchess: her grace would see Miss Keyes at three o’clock.

But what about Lady Rebecca?

Honey commenced to wash and dress; she would seek out Lady Rebecca after breakfast and ask her when they might have a sitting.

Once she was ready to face the day, she rang for a servant to take her down to the breakfast room, where she found the duke just finishing his meal.

He rose when she entered the airy room, which had French doors open to allow in fresh air from the warm, sunny morning.

“How was your first night at Whitcombe?” the duke asked after she’d served herself from the array of chaffing dishes.

“I fell asleep before my head even hit the pillow.” She nodded at the footman who offered her coffee.

“I am pleased to hear it.” The duke took more coffee, himself, even though his plate was nearly empty. “Do you ride, Miss Keyes?”

“I do, although it has been quite some time.”

“I’m sure you will find something in the stables to suit your level of comfort. You are welcome to take the gig, of course, but the loveliest parts of the area are not accessible by cart or carriage.” He closed the newspaper that had been open beside his plate. “I know you will do the painting in London, but I have instructed Philips, my house steward, to show you several rooms which I believe have suitable exposure, if you would like to use them for anything.”

“Thank you, your grace, I look forward to seeing them.” Honey couldn’t help being amazed by how different he was from his brother. Not just different looking, but different acting. She could only suppose his position mediated a certain amount of dignity and steadiness not necessary in a younger sibling. In truth, he quite reminded her of herself—at least when it came to presenting an unflappable appearance to the world.

In the daylight she realized he looked older and far more drawn than he’d appeared yesterday evening. Whatever was ailing him, seemed to be taking its toll. His brown hair was liberally dusted with gray at the temples and there were deep grooves bracketing his mouth. The lines radiating out from his eyes did not look like smile lines. In fact, she could hardly imagine such a cool, remote man smiling.

But then she remembered the loving look he’d given his daughter at dinner last night and decided he must have hidden depths.

He looked up, meeting her scrutiny. “I understand you will be seeing my wife this afternoon.”

“Yes, I will meet her at three o’clock. I was wondering where I might find Lady Rebecca—perhaps we might have a sitting this morning?”

“My daughter has gone to a function with her grandmother today, but she will be ready for you after breakfast tomorrow morning.”

So, that meant Honey would have the first part of today to herself.

The duke stood. “I must meet with my bailiff for most of the day but if you have need of me you can always ring for a servant.”

“Thank you, your grace.”

The duke rose to leave just as the door opened.

Mr. Fairchild stepped into the room, a smile on his face, his gaze on Honey. He opened his mouth, as