Viscount Straffan had not been at luncheon, just as he had hadn’t appeared at breakfast. Certainly, he must need to eat more than the evening meal. Was he taking his meals in his chamber? As Tabitha walked toward the lake with her sisters and other guests, she glanced back at the castle, hoping to see him appear.
Where was he? Was he avoiding her? Was he inside courting someone?
The very idea was physically painful to contemplate. Tabitha had longed to meet Straffan last spring, but now that she was coming to know him, she wanted him all the more. Why couldn’t her great-uncle see that Tabitha and Straffan could be more than riding instructor and student?
A moment later her pulse lurched as he stepped outside.
“Isn’t that the gentleman Mother wants you to avoid?” Deborah asked.
Straffan was walking directly toward them and it was all she could do to control her giddy excitement.
“He is very handsome,” Sarah admired quietly as he drew near and Tabitha nudged her sister to hopefully quiet her.
“Good afternoon, Ladies,” Straffan said as he stopped beside Tabitha.
“Good afternoon, Lord Straffan,” Tabitha greeted. “Have you met my sisters, Ladies Deborah and Sarah?”
“I’ve not had the pleasure,” he offered a slight bow.
“It’s an honor, Lord Straffan,” Deborah murmured.
“Mine as well,” Sarah added.
“Do you skate, Lord Straffan, or is your interest limited to the equestrian?” Lady Tabitha asked with a teasing girn.
“I’ve skated, Lady Tabitha,” he assured her. “However, I did not have the foresight to bring any blades.”
“Not to worry. There are a number of pairs by the lake,” Lady Sarah offered. “One of the servants can help you find a pair.”
Andrew raised an eyebrow and offered his arm to Tabitha. “Only if you agree to be my partner.”
Her pulse skipped and she slipped her gloved hand into the crook of his arm. “I’d be delighted.” And so much more.
“And I promise not to take you down with me if I land on my bum,” he assured her as he led her away from her sisters.
Tabitha laughed. “And I promise not to do the same to you.”
“Ah, but if you start to slip, I can easily keep you upright. I would not expect someone as delicate as you to do the same for me.”
Goodness, she’d not been called delicate since she was a child. Nobody in her family considered her as such and it warmed her a bit that Straffan may view her as such. “I’m not so delicate,” she whispered as if making a confession.
“Then I’ll expect you to hold me upright as well,” he teased with a wink. “But let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
Thank God they were among dozens of people or Andrew might have given into the temptation to kiss Lady Tabitha again. She looked absolutely lovely in her dark green coat with white fur and dark curls framing her lovely face.
The two chose blades and then settled onto a bench and strapped them on with the help of some of Danby’s servants. Once they were secured, Andrew stood and got his footing before assisting Lady Tabitha to her feet and then they made their way to the ice. There were already several people skating about, and a number of them falling. Andrew just prayed he wasn’t among them. It had been years since he’d skated and he didn’t want to make a fool of himself.
As Lady Tabitha pushed off, he joined her and soon they were skating, side by side, evenly matched as if they’d partnered each several times before. It was a slow skate, very slow, almost as if they were strolling, but just because they were on blades did not mean they needed to hurry.
“You never did tell me about your family,” Andrew said and glanced around. “How many are relations and how many are guests?”
Lady Tabitha scanned the groups and pairs. “Out here, today, I’m related to probably seventy-percent either by blood or marriage.”
Andrew blinked, though he shouldn’t be surprised. He and Patrick had poured over Debretts, and the Whitton relations extended for pages, all leading back to the Duke of Danby. In fact, if one was to consider the various titles connected to the duke, there was a good deal of power at this one castle.
“What of your family? Do you have siblings?”
I have a brother who sees ghosts, but Andrew would not tell her that. “I have a younger brother, Patrick, who is married and three younger sisters, Brianna, Caitlin and Rowena.”
“Do they come to London?” Lady Tabitha asked excitedly.
“Brianna and Caitlin have enjoyed a few Seasons, but Rowena has not as of yet, though I suspect Mother and Father will bring them to London in the spring.”
“I do hope I get to meet them.”
It was unlikely, unless they happened to attend the same functions. As Lady Tabitha hadn’t met them yet, Andrew doubted she ever would. Being the great-niece of the Duke of Danby opened many doors. Few of the same were opened to the Irish, even those with titles.
The familiar ache that Lady Tabitha would never be his began deep in Andrew’s belly. He’d like nothing better than to take her home, to Ireland, and introduce her to his family. But, as it was not to be, Andrew wouldn’t spend any more thought of what couldn’t be and instead enjoy what time he had at Danby Castle with Lady Tabitha.