Reynolds returned with the flowers in a small gilded vase, and the Dowager signalled to him to place it on the table closest to her.
‘Have you had the opportunity to see more of London since we last spoke?’ she asked, stirring her four lumps of sugar into her tea.
‘I went with the Forresters to see the new exhibition at the Royal Academy yesterday. The paintings were lovely. I especially enjoyed one of fairies by a Mr Henry Howard.’
‘Are you fond of art?’
‘Yes, very much so.’
‘Then I must introduce you to the Duchess of Winterbourne. Olivia is a lovely woman, and I believe the two of you might share some interests.’
There was something unidentifiable about the Dowager that continued to remind Katrina of her great-aunt. Both women had the ability to fill her with a sense of comfort.
She was about to respond when the sound of heavy footfalls drifted in from the entrance hall. Both she and the Dowager turned towards the doorway and found Lyonsdale standing on the threshold. He was dressed in a bottle-green tail coat, brown waistcoat, and buckskin breeches. And he appeared to be just as startled as Katrina to find themselves staring at one another.
‘Do come in, my boy,’ the Dowager said with a bright smile. ‘I believe you’re acquainted with Miss Vandenberg?’
There was a slight hesitation in his stride, and he narrowed his gaze at his grandmother. ‘Of course. Good day, Miss Vandenberg,’ he said, executing a perfect bow.
The sound of his voice left her with flutters low in her abdomen. ‘Good day, Your Grace.’
The Dowager motioned to the chair next to Katrina. ‘Would you care to join us? A nice cup of tea might be just the thing after your long committee meeting.’
Katrina found it difficult to determine if she wanted him to stay or if it would be better for him to leave them.
‘I would not wish to interrupt your discussion.’
Horrid, fickle man!
‘Nonsense. Miss Vandenberg and I were just beginning our visit. There is nothing to interrupt.’
He inclined his head and took the seat next to Katrina. Her heart turned over unexpectedly.
‘You are back early today,’ the Dowager continued.
‘No, I return home at exactly this time each Monday when the committee is in session.’
So this was one of the ways a duke occupied himself during the day. ‘Is this a Parliamentary committee?’ Katrina asked.
He accepted the tea and shifted his gaze to her. ‘It is.’
‘What does your committee meet about?’
‘We are investigating the effects of working conditions on child labourers.’
‘You are?’
He lifted his chin, as if he was anticipating derision. ‘I assure you it is a valid issue, and one that needs to be addressed.’
It wasn’t necessary to point that out to her. She was simply surprised that a man of his substantial wealth had any interest in the children of the poor.
‘I agree. It’s commendable that your committee has taken up the cause for those who are frequently neglected.’
‘We have just begun our interviews. Our aim is to ensure these children are neither exploited nor harmed.’ His gaze drifted to the flowers. ‘I see the violets are multiplying,’ he commented to his grandmother. ‘This is the first time you have seen fit to display them outside your rooms.’
The Dowager gave Katrina a warm smile. ‘These are from Miss Vandenberg. She was kind enough to bring them to me.’
He did nothing to hide his surprise. ‘You have brought my grandmother flowers?’
‘I have. I found them beautiful and wished to share them with her,’ she stated, annoyed with herself for feeling the need to explain her actions to him.
‘I would have assumed you would favour orchids or some other rare, exotic bloom.’
‘I am partial to simpler things. I do not need the world to confirm a pedigree for me to appreciate beauty.’
He studied her over his teacup, and she found the room was growing rather warm.
‘They match your eyes.’
‘I beg your pardon?’
‘The violets—they are the same colour as your eyes.’
It was impossible to pull her gaze from his—that was until the Dowager gave a discreet cough.
‘Miss Vandenberg, would you care to see our library?’ she asked. ‘With your fondness for books, I am certain you will find something of interest to borrow.’ She turned to Lyonsdale. ‘With your permission, of course.’
‘That is a fine idea. Please, by all means, Miss Vandenberg. My library is at your disposal.’ He sat back in his chair and took a sip of his tea.
Katrina now had an excuse to remove herself from his presence. Maybe it would relieve her of the restless feeling that hadn’t gone away since the moment she’d laid eyes on him.
‘That’s very kind of you.’
‘Capital,’ the Dowager replied with a broad smile. ‘I shall wait here while you escort her.’
‘Me?’ he spluttered, and appeared to be thinking up an excuse as to why he wasn’t available.
‘It is your library,’ his grandmother explained. ‘You know it far better than anyone else in this house. Besides, I’ve had a dull ache in my legs all day. I do not expect you will take long.’
If Katrina hadn’t been paying such close attention to him she might have missed his hesitation before he turned back to her.
‘Shall we, Miss Vandenberg?’
They entered the hallway in silence, walking side by side. After a few moments she turned to him. ‘You do not need to remain with me while I make my selection. I am certain I will be able to find my way back to the drawing room.’
‘Are you attempting to remove yourself from my company?’
‘Not at all. I simply assume you have pressing matters that require your attention.’
‘I find I can think of nothing at the moment that is more pressing than helping you obtain something for your enjoyment.’
This time when he spoke his voice was warm and friendly.
She had provided him with an excuse. If he chose not to take it, it was no longer her concern.
‘Your grandmother called on me recently,’ she said, as a way to explain her presence in his home.
‘I assumed she must have.’
‘She is a lovely woman.’
‘That’s debatable.’
‘Come, now—she is quite affable.’
He shook his head. ‘That is one word to describe her. I can think of others.’
‘You are very fortunate to have her.’
Their arms inadvertently brushed against one another, and he placed some distance between them. After a few more steps he moved his hands behind his back as they continued down the long hall.
‘If you had a grandmother like mine you might have a different opinion on the matter.’
‘I did not know either of my grandmothers. They passed away before I was born.’