She smiled happily at him, and for some reason his eyes saw only her lips. What did he want most? Other than her? With an effort, he dragged his gaze to the food. “I am quite partial to beef and cheddar.”
He held out a chair for her, and once she had taken her seat, she busied herself piling slices of rare beef and two huge chunks of cheddar cheese on a plate, then added bread and strawberries before handing it to him. “There.”
Kendal doubted any gentleman had ever served her, and that was a great pity. He took a plate. “What would you like?”
Her turquoise eyes widened, and a look of wonder appeared on her face. “Me?”
He nodded. “I did tell you that I am yours to command.”
“So you did.” For a moment, she looked at him as if he were the strangest creature she had ever met, then her eyes twinkled enchantingly. And his breath caught in his chest. “I would like some ham, cheddar cheese, and strawberries.” She lowered her thick lashes. “I am very partial to strawberries.”
He’d never given the fruit much thought. His gardener forced them, and, therefore, they were available whenever Kendal liked. “As am I. I especially like them in tarts.”
“Mmmm.” She sighed. “Strawberry tarts are lovely. I used to think our cook made the best ones, but my aunt’s cook does something special to them, and I like her tarts even better.”
He wished he could take her to his estate in Kent and let her eat all the berries she wanted. But now he needed to work out a way to be invited to dinner at her aunt’s house. They must have a property in the area. He had to spend more time with her. “I would love to taste them sometime.”
She daintily cut a bit of ham and ate it. “I shall ask her to invite you.”
Kendal made a sandwich of some of his beef and cheddar. “Do you see any mustard?”
“Oh, yes.” She plucked a small earthenware container from her other side. “Here it is.”
Taking the jar, he dipped in a spoon and spread the mustard on his beef. “How long will you be here?”
“At least until the beginning of July.” Her forehead creased, and Kendal wanted to smooth the lines away. “Then I do not know what will happen.” She took another piece of meat and chewed thoughtfully, then shook her head. “What do you think of the birth of Princess Alexandrina?”
“I hope she lives.” The royal family had had a great deal of bad luck when it came to legitimate children.
Lady Thalia’s brows puckered. “I do as well. I hope there are others.”
“That would be a good thing for all of us.” He cut a piece of beef. “I am concerned about the unrest around the country.”
“I agree.” She eyed the strawberries, but stabbed another piece of ham with her fork. She was very disciplined for a younger lady. “The accounts are not comforting. There is too much poverty and hunger. The Corn Laws were a mistake. Reform must be passed or there is going to be a lot of trouble.”
That she knew about the plight of the poor was surprising. That she supported reform pleased him to no end. “You are well informed.”
She gave him a small smile. “Despite how close I have been kept, I am allowed to read. Once my father is done with the papers, they are sent to my mother’s rooms. She and I review them, and we discuss the events. I have a great deal of time to think as well.”
“What does your father think of that?” Kendal could not imagine her father would approve.
“I do not believe he knows. Or is interested in knowing. His apartments are on the other side of the castle.”
The noise of the others in the parlor became a low drone, like the buzzing of bees, as Kendal gazed at Lady Thalia and decided he had to get to know her much, much better indeed.
CHAPTER 3
THALIA WAS happy and terrified at the same time. She and Kendal were in the middle of her family talking as if they were the only two people in the room, and everyone had been letting let them do it. Her mother was in a deep conversation with the duchess, and her brother and sisters and their spouses were playing with the children. No one was paying any attention to her and Kendal at all.
“Do you ever dream of traveling?” he asked.
She dreamed of everything, and right now this man was making her want to dream of even more. “I dream of being able to visit my other brothers and their wives . . . well, except that I do not know if I would like to cross the ocean. Frank, my second-eldest brother, lives in America with his wife and her family.”
Kendal leaned forward excitedly. “Did you know a steamship is crossing the ocean as we speak? It might even have made port by now.” His eyes gazed off into the distance. “Someday ships will cross in a matter of days as opposed to weeks.”
That would be wonderful. “If that happens, I shall visit.” One of the servants brought tea, and she poured him a cup. “Milk and sugar?”
“A bit of both, please.” She handed him the cup, and he took a drink. “Excellent. Thank you.”
“Do you have brothers and sisters?” Suddenly it was important to know everything about him.
