turned her so they were both looking toward the path. A woman in a very proper dark blue frock was cautiously making her way down it. “I don’t know. I don’t think she’s anyone from the village. We should probably let her know this is a private affair.”
Holding on to Griff’s arm as he escorted her, she strolled over to the woman who appeared to be only slightly older than herself. “Hello. May we help you?”
The stranger gave her a very serious study from her bare feet—she’d removed her shoes as soon as she reached the sand—to the top of her head. “Mrs. Griffith Stanwick?”
Kathryn smiled. “What gave me away?”
“The white silk and lace gown and the veil brushed back from your face,” she responded with such seriousness that Kathryn wondered if she should bother to explain the question had been rhetorical. But before she could say anything else—
“I’m Miss Pettypeace, secretary to the Duke of Kingsland. He asked that I have this delivered to you on your wedding day, and as it seemed incredibly important to him, I decided to see to the responsibility of placing it into your hands myself.”
Kathryn took the envelope she’d extended toward her. “What is it?”
“Something he wished you to have.”
It seemed Miss Pettypeace took everything quite literally. “I do hope the duke is well.”
“Why would he not be?”
Well, obviously he wasn’t suffering from a broken heart, which made her feel somewhat better.
“Good day to you, Mrs. Stanwick.” She turned to go.
“Miss Pettypeace?”
The young woman glanced back at her.
“Would you care for some refreshments before you leave?”
“Thank you, but I haven’t time for such frivolities. I must away to London and tend to some other important business for the duke.”
“Safe travels, then.”
With a quick nod, the duke’s secretary headed back toward the path.
“Well, she’s certainly an efficient sort,” Kathryn mused.
“Are you going to open the letter?”
She tucked it inside Griff’s jacket. “I think I’ll read it later. At the moment, I have a waltz to finish.”
And another and another. As the sun arced through the sky and the champagne flowed. As her friends and family shared in her happiness.
When the sun began sinking into the horizon, before they took their leave, the revelers gave them one last round of well-wishes. While Griff accompanied Althea and her husband to their coach for a few final words, Kathryn stood at the edge of the cliff and read the letter Kingsland had sent her.
My dear Mrs. Stanwick,
I debated the wisdom of sending you the enclosed and decided it was something that belonged with you.
I would wish you every happiness, but I find it pointless to wish for what one already possesses.
Yours,
Kingsland
She wasn’t surprised his missive was short and to the point, rather suspected marriage to him would have been as exacting. Although, perhaps he’d known nothing that he could say would compare with the additional letter he’d enclosed.
My Lord Duke,
You have asked the ladies to explain why you should honor them by making them your duchess.
I would argue that you do not want a woman who believes it an honor to have your attention. Rather, you should seek out a lady who makes you realize it is an honor to have her attentiveness directed your way.
To that end, I suggest you select Lady Kathryn Lambert, sole daughter, only child, to the Earl of Ridgeway. Unfortunately, the lady does not have a tendency to recognize her own attributes that make her so stunningly appealing to a man, and I have little doubt her letter will put you to sleep before you have finished reading the first paragraph. Therefore, I have taken it upon myself to champion her cause for becoming the next Duchess of Kingsland.
As you no doubt noticed during our encounter at the park, she has a quick wit, a biting tongue, and a sharp mind. She is a keen conversationalist, and while you want quiet in a woman, I believe you would find it a mistake not to seek out her opinion on all matters, whether they relate to your home or your myriad businesses or the management of your various estates. Her thoughts are not muddled but are concise, and she can offer a viewpoint you might not have otherwise considered. I have never known her to be capricious or irritatingly insipid.
Her mere presence will cause a man to yearn to know the intimacy of her thoughts, her secret desires, her touch. Like the finest of wines, she is bold, full-bodied, and tantalizing. Never disappointing.