Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

S leep eluded Johnthan during the night so the moment the sun began poking its head above the horizon, he made his way to his study to get some work done before breakfast. He was tempted to simply eat breakfast at his desk like he was wont to do before his guests arrived, but he still had a task at hand. Even if Miss Caroline and Miss Agnes had learned of his motivations, it didn't mean anything had changed. He should still play the proper host and the attentive betrothed.

He found some reprieve from this never-ending thoughts in his ledgers when there was a knock on the door. Johnathan frowned, glancing out the window. It was hardly past dawn. Mrs. Adams rarely bothered him at a time like this.

"Come," he called.

The door opened and Miss Agnes slipped in.

Johnathan went utterly still, not allowing himself to breathe. He stared at her as if he was seeing a ghost and honestly, as tired as he was, he did not rule out the possibility that she was a figment of his imagination. God knew he'd been thinking about her far more than was deemed proper.

Miss Agnes lingered by the door with her hand still on the handle as if she was prepared to leave at any moment. She seemed to be struggling with an internal battle and Johnathan saw the second she came to her conclusion. She released the door handle and came further into the room, raising her chin.

"I know that it is early," she began.

Johnathan nodded. "Yes," he breathed.

"And that it would be deemed quite improper for us to be alone together like this if we were caught."

"I reckon it is rather improper without being caught," he pointed out, still trying to restart his heart.

"Yes, that is true," she said. Even though she met his eyes unflinchingly, the way she played with her fingers told him that she was just as nervous as he was. "I understand all of that but I decided to take the risk because what I am about to say to you is quite important."

Johnathan leaned back in his chair and gestured to the armchair on the other side of his desk. She took the offer and claimed the chair, taking a deep breath.

"What is it, Miss Agnes?" he broached gently.

"Caroline and your brother are in love," she blurted out before he'd gotten the question out fully. "And while I know how scandalous this might seem, I am well aware that only a select few are certain of your courtship with Caroline so it may not be as scandalous as we are assuming. And even if it were, I hope that you love your brother as much as I love Caroline and wish for him to be happy with the person he loves, rather than any mark on his reputation. So I only ask that you do not oppose their union."

She had looked down halfway through her words but when she looked back up at him, she blinked, seemingly surprised. Johnathan didn't blame her. As she spoke, he felt a wave of relief come over him, and then happiness. He was sure it was evident on his face.

It seemed his fear that Miss Agnes and Miss Caroline had found out about his reason for wanting him and his brother to marry them had been ill-placed. And to learn that his brother had gone and fallen in love! Who would have thought? He'd certainly done a good job of hiding it. That would explain his disinterest in Miss Agnes. Any smart gentleman would be happy to court a lady like her and yet he'd been doing so as if a blade was pointed at his back. Now Johnathan knew it had to be because of his love for another woman.

"You do not seem unhappy," Miss Agnes pointed out.

"That is because I am not. Why would I be when I have just learned of the direction of my brother's heart? I want to do whatever I can to make him happy."

"Even if that means breaking your engagement with Caroline?" she asked with a frown.

"I have no qualms with doing such a thing. It is clear that we hold no romantic affection for each other after all. If they would be happier together, then by all means."

Miss Agnes blinked at him, coming to terms with what he was saying.

"Is it so hard to believe?" he asked her.

"No," she admitted. "I was only prepared for more of a fight. I came ready to argue with you."

"Somehow that does not surprise me," he said with an easy chuckle.

She didn't share in his amusement, her brows dipping. "What do you propose to mean by that?"

"Only that you are rather opinionated, Miss Agnes," he told her without qualms. "Nothing more than that."

"Hm."

He wasn't bothered by her wariness. In fact, it endeared him. His breath caught in his throat when she began to approach, sinking into the armchair across his desk. Despite the distance, her scent wafted over to him and brought gooseflesh to his skin.

"It is good that you share the same opinion on this as I do, Your Grace," Miss Agnes said, folding her hands in her lap. "It will make the next step far easier to manage."

"The next step?" he probed, raising his brow.

"Well, Caroline is very…hesitant. She seems intent on keeping her love a secret and judging from the fact that you knew nothing of this yourself, I presume your brother does as well. And we cannot forget that the four of us are not the only ones involved in these arrangements. My parents and Caroline's aunt and uncle will have much to say if any changes are made."

"You have given this much thought, haven't you?"

"I have," she confirmed with a nod, leveling her gaze on him. "I could not stop thinking about it all of last night into this morning."

"Ah, I see. So that is why you seemed that way."

She frowned again. Johnathan instantly regretted the words. "And what do you mean by that way ?"

"It is nothing to be offended by, Miss?—"

"I think I should be the judge of that."

He sighed. "I only meant that I noticed how absentminded you appeared during dinner last night."

Miss Agnes' frown did not lift, as if she didn't dare to give him the impression that he was constantly being judged. However, her eyes did lighten to curiosity as she tilted her head to the side. "How odd that you noticed such a thing, Your Grace."

All of a sudden, Johnathan was having a hard time meeting her eyes. He stood, walking over to the sideboard though he had no intention of drinking so early in the morning. He simply needed something to do with his hands. "I am an observant man."

"As am I," she hummed thoughtfully. He could feel her gaze boring into him.

Johnathan didn't dare turn to face her. He busied himself by pouring a glass of wine, having every intention of letting the wine sit untouched. He didn't know what it was about Miss Agnes that turned him into a bumbling fool who constantly put his foot in his mouth. She was a beautiful, intelligent and well-spoken lady, that was certain. Perhaps a tad intimidating. But he was a duke, for God's sake. He'd gone up against men twice her size with scowls far more terrifying.

Yet his heart continued to do somersaults in his chest as he made his way back to his desk and sat.

"Oh, forgive me," he said suddenly. "I must have forgotten my manners. Would you like a glass of wine?"

Miss Agnes blinked at him, saying nothing. And then she giggled. The sound brought equal waves of pleasure and embarrassment washing over him.

"Wine?" she breathed between her laughter. "Surely you did not just offer me a glass of wine when it is barely dawn, Your Grace?"

"Not very astute of me, is it?" he asked sheepishly.

"I cannot tell if I should be touched by your eagerness to mind your manners or horrified by your thoughtlessness."

"Charmed by my kindness?" he offered and was thrilled when she laughed again.

"A manageable compromise, if I have ever heard any." Then she sobered and he tensed again. "But back to the matter at hand, Your Grace. We do not have much time."

Johnathan quelled his disappointment, nodding. "Yes, go ahead."

"I believe our biggest obstacle will be Lord and Lady Reeds. They are very set on the marriage."

"Of that, I have no doubt," he agreed with a grim nod. "They will be difficult to convince. I am not particularly sure how I will manage such a task since I have all but assured them that I shall be marrying their niece."

"Everyone can be convinced if the right things are said," she said with such easy confidence that Johnathan's admiration of her went through the roof.

"Do you have a plan in mind?" he asked.

"A plan?" She shook her head. "Not yet. Not with regards to Lord and Lady Reeds, that is. Regarding Caroline and Lord Christopher? Perhaps. But I will need your help."

"What do you need me to do?"

"We shall put them in each other's company as often as we can. And we can start this afternoon! After breakfast, I shall suggest that we all go for a walk, but this time, you should offer to show me something and take me away, forcing them to walk together. Perhaps we may go to the lake Her Grace said was nearby." She nodded, eyes adopting that faraway look of determination. "It will be far easier if neither Lord Reeds nor Lady Reeds chaperones so it may be best to have Mrs. Adams or a maid chaperone us instead. That way, we won't feel the pressure they will inevitably place on us if we are not paired to their liking."

"A simple plan," Johnathan said, nodding as he took it all in. "But rather effective for the short term. I shall have to deal with Lord Reeds myself, I reckon?"

"Wise man, you are," she said. Her light, teasing tone should have made him roll his eyes and yet he preened quietly, his heart skipping a beat. Johnathan didn't dare let his face betray his emotions.

"I will have to give this much thought, then. He is not an easily deterred man."

"I am certain you will be able to handle it. You are a wealthy, influential duke, after all."

He looked away, suddenly filled with the urge to down his glass of wine. Instead, he tried changing the topic from his apparent wealth. "You must care deeply for Miss Caroline to go to this length."

"She is like a sister to me. I would do anything for her. And I am sure she would do the same for me."

"That is rather admirable. She is lucky to have a friend like you."

"I am sure Lord Christopher shares the same sentiment for you, Your Grace."

Johnathan shrugged, eyes straying away from the curtains to her deep brown eyes that felt as if they were seeing right through him. "I think he is rather tired of me and my overbearing tendencies."

"Overbearing? You, Your Grace?" Miss Agnes tilted her head to the side, eyes wide. "I find that rather hard to believe."

His lips twitched. "Is that sarcasm I detect in your tone?"

"Of course not, Your Grace. I would never."

"Your lips are twitching. You are most certainly poking fun at me."

"Am I?" she sang, giving him an innocent look. "That would be quite bold of me to do to your face."

"And yet I do not doubt that you would for a second."

"I shall take that as a compliment then."

"I assure you that it was not meant as such."

Now she shrugged. "It matters not to me."

This time, Johnathan couldn't hold back her chuckle. She joined in with her own soft laughter, the sound like the sweet song of birds in the morning.

He opened his mouth to speak, to continue the lovely banter they had fallen into. A knock on the door disrupted his thoughts.

Both their heads turned to the noise. And then to each other, eyes wide. Miss Agnes broke eye contact first, looking to the window, and then Johnathan followed suit.

The sun was already high in the sky. He hadn't noticed so much time had passed.

"Your Grace?" came an unfamiliar male voice from the other side of the door. "May I?"

Miss Agnes was already on her feet, panic in her eyes. Johnathan shot up as well. They couldn't get caught in here together, not even by a servant. The rumors that would spark, the scandal that would cause…

He could tell the same thoughts were racing through her head as the person on the other side of the door knocked again. "Your Grace?"

Miss Agnes looked around frantically. Johnathan rounded the desk, taking her gently yet quickly by the arm. When she looked up at him, mouth parting in surprise, he nearly forgot what he'd intended to say.

His mind came back a moment later and he raised a finger to his lips then pointed to the window. She looked where he pointed with understanding dawning in her eyes. Miss Agnes nodded.

Johnathan crossed over to the door, keeping a hand on the knob in case the footman—because he assumed it had to be one—lost his mind and entered without permission. He waited until Miss Agnes had tucked herself behind the thick curtains and was safely out of sight before he opened it.

"Yes?" he answered, sounding a little irritated.

The footman's eyes widened. "F-forgive the intrusion, Your Grace. Your guests are almost finished with breakfast."

"Very well, thank you."

The footman bowed and hurried away. Johnathan watched him walk away for a few seconds before he closed the door, letting out a pent-up breath of relief.

His eyes instantly fell on the brown-haired lady peeking out behind the curtains. They caught each other's gazes for a second and then burst out laughing.

"All that commotion for a conversation that lasted less than five seconds," she laughed with a shake of her head. She emerged from the curtains, making her way towards him.

"It is better to be safe than sorry," he told her, approaching as well.

They met in the center of the room, far closer than he'd intended them to be. His smile slid away. Hers did as well. Johnathan was suddenly struck with the urge to look away, unnerved by the bold manner she looked at him. This was not a lady with demure tendencies and blushing cheeks. One heavy-lidded gaze from her and he was the one with flip-flopping insides.

"I should leave," she murmured, taking a step back. She was blinking rapidly. Johnathan could suddenly breathe again. "Or else someone is going to notice that I am missing."

"Yes, that may be best. But we shall commence your plan this afternoon, as you suggested."

Miss Agnes nodded. She did not meet his eyes again this time, oddly enough. Instead, she pointed at his desk, lips twitching.

"Your wine is growing tepid."

With that she left, slipping through the door as quietly as she came, leaving him speechless. Johnathan found himself staring at the door for a long while, a stupid smile fixed on his face.

Something told him that conspiring with Miss Agnes might not be a good idea. And yet he couldn't remember the last time he'd ever felt this excited about anything.