She took a sip of Madeira. ‘While we are waiting for them to stop pretending they are interested in the view, I was wondering if you might offer some assistance in a matter that has been troubling me.’
A look of concern crossed his face. ‘Of course.’
‘Recently I received a substantial bouquet of thistle and ragwort. Unfortunately the sender was remiss in signing the card. I don’t suppose you would have any idea who in London might send such a thing?’
His brow creased, but he had a hint of a smile. ‘Someone sent you weeds? How unusual. Does that happen often?’
‘Never. I found the colour combination quite striking, and I wish to show my appreciation to the sender for their thoughtfulness. But, alas, I don’t know who to thank.’ She smiled innocently.
His gaze dropped to her lips. ‘And how would you show that appreciation?’
‘I don’t believe it would be proper to divulge that to anyone but the sender. A pity, that...’
‘Yes, a pity.’ He shifted slightly. ‘You can give me an idea, though?’
‘No. I don’t believe I can.’ Katrina averted her eyes as she tried not to smile.
He leaned towards her. ‘Not even a hint?’
She shook her head and took another sip of Madeira.
Julian swallowed hard.
She bit back a smile. Perhaps he did want to kiss her again. There had to be something they could talk about that did not conjure up thoughts of his lips on her skin. Her breasts began to tingle and she almost spilled her wine.
‘Do you ride here often?’ she asked, all in one breath.
It took him a moment to answer, as if his thoughts had been far from where they were. ‘I haven’t in an age. Although Hart and I have enjoyed racing up this mound for many years.’
‘I assume from the familiar way you refer to him that you are great friends?’
He nodded. ‘We are. I have known him all my life. Our family estates border one another, and we attended Cambridge together. And you and Miss Forrester—are you great friends?’
‘I feel we are becoming so. I was introduced to her years ago in Washington, and now we share a similar circumstance in a foreign land. She has a good heart, and we have similar tastes in amusement.’
‘Is Washington your home?’
‘While I’ve spent considerable time there, my home is in New York. We have a residence not far from New York Harbour, where my father owns a shipyard, but we also own a home further north in Tarrytown, along the Hudson River, away from the hustle and bustle of town.’
It appeared as if he wanted to say something, but he wasn’t sure how to put it into words.
Katrina tilted her head and studied his uncomfortable expression. ‘Is there something you want to ask me?’
‘I understand he is a widower. I was wondering... That is to say...’
‘Do you wish to know about my mother?’
He nodded. ‘Forgive me, I am certain it is a subject you do not wish to discuss.’
‘There is no need to apologise for your interest. My mother died long ago.’
An unsettled expression crossed his face as he turned away. ‘You have my condolences.’
‘Thank you.’
She had never known her mother. From what she could tell from her father, her parents had loved each other deeply. That was what she wanted in a marriage.
She studied Julian’s chiselled profile. He was an honourable man. He was easy to speak with and he made her laugh. Would she find a man like him when she returned to America? Her heart grew heavy, and she reached for more wine.
‘You mentioned you have known Lord Hartwick since you were children. I cannot imagine you so young. What were you like?’
He appeared to consider her question thoroughly. Then his lips curved and his eyes sparkled. ‘I wanted to be a pirate.’
That was an unexpected revelation. ‘If I promise to keep your secret, will you tell me if you were successful?’
He smiled. ‘I did have a swordfight in a boat. Do you suppose that counts?’
‘I suppose. Did it have a crew?’
‘I presided over a crew of one. My first mate attempted a mutiny, hence the swordfight. Apparently he was tired of rowing.’
‘Your first mate didn’t happen to be Lord Hartwick?’
Julian laughed and shook his head. ‘Actually, it was my brother, Edward.’
That was a new revelation. Why had she never seen his brother at any of the social engagements she had attended?
‘I was unaware you had a brother.’
‘I did. He was killed in a riding accident nine years ago—a month before my father died.’ Pain and loss were reflected in his eyes.
She held out her hand to offer some comfort. He threaded his fingers through hers and then stared at their intertwined hands as if he had never seen his hand placed with another.
‘Were you very close?’
A sad smile crossed his lips. ‘We were born only ten months apart and were inseparable.’
‘You are very fortunate to have had him in your life, even for a short while. I always wanted a brother or a sister to share in my amusements. And I have a sneaking suspicion the two of you might have enjoyed a bit of mischief together.’
His eyes crinkled at the corners as a full smile brightened his previously melancholy demeanour and he let go of her hand. ‘We might have found ourselves in trouble a time or two. I recall one autumn we decided to hide in piles of leaves and startle the gardeners as they worked on tidying up the gardens around our estate. I don’t believe they found it as amusing as we did.’
‘Did you receive a scolding or did news of your antics never reach your parents?’
‘My parents were unaware. However, my grandmother informed us that if the gardeners refused to clean up the leaves Edward and I would be forced to do it ourselves.’ He rubbed his hands on his thighs, as if he was eager to recount another amusing tale. ‘There was also one summer when a vast number of frogs were mysteriously finding their way into my mother’s bedchamber.’ He let out an uncharacteristically loud bark of laughter. ‘To this day I can still recall the sound of her screeches each time she discovered one.’
How was it possible that this reputable duke was more mischievous as a child than she had ever been? The very thought of his very dour mother jumping around her bedchamber made Katrina laugh.
* * *
It surprised Julian that there wasn’t any hollowness in his chest as he discussed Edward. In fact, in an odd way, he felt closer to his brother now than he had in a long time.
A dragonfly landed on his sleeve and fluttered its wings for a few moments before it flew away.
His brow furrowed. ‘Are you eager to head back to America?’
‘It’s not easy to be away so long from what is comfortable and familiar.’
‘I suppose it isn’t,’ he agreed, out of politeness. All his life everything around Julian had been familiar—everything except the way he felt being with this woman. Being around Katrina made him feel somehow different, somehow more alive.
‘I