“To be worthy of me!” he said, quite thunderstruck. “But I am the most commonplace creature! Indeed, I do not know how you can look twice in my direction when you have known my handsome cousin!”
“Gideon?” she said in surprised accents. “Of course I have a great regard for him, for I am sure he has always been very kind, and you love him, which must recommend him to me, you know. But surely no one in their senses could think of him when you were by, Gilly!”
Preys to their blissful delusions, they walked slowly out of the house to the waiting chaise.
“I was half afraid your grandmama would not let you come with me!” the Duke said foolishly.
“Oh, Gilly, was it very wrong of me? I was obliged to use a little stratagem, for she was so cross, and I could see she meant to say it would be improper for me to go! I—I said I knew Mama would not permit it! Not quite like that, you know, but letting it be seen that that was what I thought. It is very dreadful! She doesn’t like Mama, and I knew very well that I had only to put that into her head, and she would say I might go with you!”
She sounded conscience-stricken, but the Duke laughed delightedly, so that any filial qualms that were troubling her gentle soul were instantly laid to rest. He handed her into the chaise, where Belinda greeted her without the smallest sign of guilt.
“Oh, my lady!” said Belinda. “Mr. Rufford—I mean, the Duke!—has found Mr. Mudgley!”
“Dear Belinda, you must be very happy!” Harriet said, laying a gloved hand on her knee.
“Oh, yes, ma’am!” agreed Belinda blithely. She paused, and added on a more wistful note: “But I wish I might have had that beautiful dress!”
“I am sure you would not wish for it rather than to be established so comfortably,” Harriet suggested gently.