Tall, Duke, and Dangerous (Hazards of Dukes #2) - Megan Frampton Page 0,63

an enormous delivery just the other day.” Fletchfield had curated the flowers so that the ones she liked best were in her bedroom, and the others were in the salon.

“An enormous delivery, hm?” Lord Brunley said, sounding displeased.

Of course. She wished she could smack herself on the head. It sounded as though she were bragging about her popularity, when really she was just reporting what had happened. Not that Lord Brunley couldn’t be taken down a notch, but it felt mean to do it deliberately.

“I suppose some of the flowers came from the Duke of Malvern?”

Ana Maria repressed a snort. “No, Nash isn’t the flower type.” He’d be more likely to send her boxing gloves, or perhaps a poker especially made for thwarting aggressive suitors.

She would not mention that to Lord Brunley.

“Ah.” Lord Brunley sounded pleased, which irked Ana Maria.

She wished she weren’t so easily irked by him, but really, he was so smug it was impossible.

“Speaking of the duke, there he is. With Lady Felicity, if I’m not mistaken.” Oh, now he sounded even more smug.

And there they were. Her eyes went to him first, noting his immaculate cravat, his well-fitted jacket, and how tall he appeared in the carriage seat next to the dainty Lady Felicity.

She was also perfectly garbed, wearing a pale yellow gown and a delightfully festive bonnet strewn with flowers that made Ana Maria both admiring and envious.

Perfect for Lady Oxymoron.

“Good afternoon, Your Grace, my lady,” Lord Brunley said, slowing his horses.

Nash’s lips clamped into a thin line as he saw who was greeting them, and he barely met Ana Maria’s gaze before glaring at Lord Brunley.

“Good afternoon,” Lady Felicity called, taking the opportunity to place her hand on Nash’s arm in what Ana Maria knew was a deliberate show of ownership.

Had he proposed already? Despite what had happened between the two of them so recently?

Her gut churned with jealousy and worry; jealousy for obvious reasons, worry because no matter what happened between them, they were friends, and she just didn’t think he would be happy with someone like Lady Felicity.

But perhaps that was the point? Maybe he didn’t want to be happy?

“The day is splendid, isn’t it? I wanted to show Lady Ana Maria what my new pair could do, and I cannot imagine a better venue for it.”

Lord Brunley even seemed to take credit for the pleasant weather. His former humility was apparently something he’d discarded in the bright light of day.

“It is.” Nash spoke in a curt tone. He still had barely looked at her.

That was not to be tolerated.

“Your Grace,” she said, making his eyes snap to hers, “I wonder if you are planning to visit Miss Ivy’s soon? I understand they are making changes to the interior.”

He looked entirely confused. Of course, since she was asking him about a gambling house and engaging him on the topic of interior design, for goodness’ sake.

“Miss Ivy’s,” Lord Brunley said. “That is the place that anyone can go, is it not?”

Lady Felicity sniffed.

“Yes,” Ana Maria replied. “It is owned by my sister-in-law, actually.”

“Ah, I’d forgotten.” Lord Brunley gave her hand a condescending pat. The snob.

“I have not been there,” Lady Felicity said, turning to Nash. “Perhaps you would take me sometime? I don’t always mind rubbing elbows with just anybody,” she added, with a quick glance toward Ana Maria, as if Ana Maria could possibly misconstrue the barb.

Nash grunted in reply, making Lady Felicity preen as if he’d said yes.

But Ana Maria could have told the lady that that particular grunt was a noncommittal “I don’t think so, but it’s not worth my time to argue” type of response.

Lady Felicity clearly did not speak inarticulate Nash.

“Well, we should be going. I don’t want to make my horses stand around any longer,” Lord Brunley said. He tipped his hat toward Lady Felicity. “We will see you both soon,” he added, making Ana Maria want to smack him. His words made it seem as though he and Ana Maria were a “we,” when they most certainly were not.

And there were no pokers at the ready in a carriage. She should have brought something in case he decided to plead his case again.

“Goodbye,” Lady Felicity said, shooting one more superior look toward Ana Maria.

Ana Maria’s only consolation was that Nash looked as uncomfortable and miserable as she felt.

If he married Lady Felicity, he would continue to be uncomfortable and miserable. She would have to broach that subject with him sometime, warn him about his future, since