“I have two older sisters. They are both married with their own lives and children.” He grinned. “My oldest nephew is a year older than I am and married last year.”
“Who is he?” She might not have met anyone, but she had practically memorized Debrett’s. And she might have read about the wedding in the paper.
“The Marquis of Quorndon.”
“I read about it. Did he not wed about the same time as Earl Elliott?”
“Yes.” Kendal grinned again. He seemed like a very good-natured gentleman. “As a matter of fact, it was Elliott’s wife who introduced Quorndon to his wife.”
She tried not to feel jealous over the freedom other ladies had. “That was nice of her.”
“My aunt certainly thinks so. She had almost given up hope that he’d find the right match.” Kendal ate the rest of his beef and moved on to the cheese.
Thalia still had more food than she should have on her plate. They had been talking so much, she’d forgotten to eat. They sat in comfortable silence while they devoted themselves to their plates. Then she picked up a strawberry, bit into it, and quickly brought up a finger to stop the juice from running down her chin. Kendal eyes caught hers, making her breath falter.
Goodness. It was much too soon to react this way to a gentleman. Or she thought it was. But what if it was not? Both her sisters had fallen in love in a matter of a few weeks. Could it happen even sooner?
“Thalia.” His voice was a harsh whisper. “Take my serviette.”
Such a simple thing, a napkin, and she had her own. But he’d called her by her name. She should tell him it was too soon, that she had not given him permission. Yet the way her name sounded on his lips made her want him to continue. “Thank you.”
“We should go back the house now.” Her aunt’s voice filled the room, ending Thalia’s discussion with Kendal. “You will all want to rest before this evening’s activities.”
“What is going on tonight?” he asked.
“There is to be dancing in the village, and everyone will stay up until it is dark.” Or that is what she had been told. “I have never been to something like this.”
He took her hand. “Dance with me tonight.”
“Yes.” She had also never been asked to dance. “I would be delighted.”
“Kendal,” the Duchess of Hull said, “you are invited to stay for the festivities.”
Thalia held her breath as she waited for him to answer. Fortunately, it did not take long.
“Thank you, Your Grace. I will take you up on your kind offer. If you do not mind, my lady?” He glanced at her as if truly asking for her permission.
She wanted him to call her by her name again, but the rest of her family was listening. So much was happening at once, Thalia was almost overwhelmed. Yet this was what she wanted. “I have no objection at all.”
Kendal’s silver gaze remained on her. “Thank you.” Then he bowed to Thalia’s aunt.
“Thank you. I’d like that very much.”
“You will have to spend the night here,” the Duchess of Hull. “It is too dangerous to cross the river after dark. As soon as I return, I shall send your valet across with a change of clothing.”
Thalia could feel the movement around them, but it was as if they were in their own space that no one could violate . . . until little Giffard, Meg and Hawksworth’s son, toddled against her leg and grabbed onto it. “What have we here?”
The nine-month-old baby gazed up at her with his mother’s blue eyes.
“I have him.” Meg scooped Giffard up, and wrinkled her nose as she looked at Thalia’s gown. “I’m afraid he got his sticky hands on your gown.”
“I’m sure it is nothing my maid cannot remedy.” The wrinkles his hands had left might be harder to repair. “I would like to spend more time with him before we leave.”
“That can be arranged.” Meg cuddled the boy, who was already bouncing to be put down. “But you might want to wear an apron or an old gown. He always seems to be into something dirty.”
“There are no nursemaids?” Kendal seemed struck by the idea.
“They do have them, and nurses for the babies, but my family all think children benefit from being with their parents. I think it was Meg and Hawksworth who started it.”
Kendal held out his arm, and she tucked her hand in the crook. “When I marry and have children, I shall do the same.”
Kendal could not help but to focus on Thalia . . . Lady Thalia . . . for a few moments. Surprisingly, he could see her holding a baby. Perhaps one with silvery blonde hair and gray eyes or dark hair and turquoise-blue eyes. Some mix between the two of them. Their child. “Yes. I believe that is an excellent idea.”
He escorted her to the waiting coaches, feeling guilty for deserting his hostess. He should go back across the river with the Duchess of Hull and return later. But he’d been given leave to depart with Thalia’s family, and that was what he wished to do. Still, he should make the gesture. “Duchess.” Three heads turned his way, and they laughed as he flushed. “Her Grace of Hull.”
“I think we knew which one of us you meant,” she said. “The reactions were out of habit.”
