I was apprehensive about the invitation to promenade with Sir Jacques I received after he returned from his travels. We smiled at each other as we etched further away from the water at St. James's park. I was in awe of his recounting of his latest expedition to Paris, and I found myself perched on the edge of his every word. One thing was sure, I truly admired Sir Jacques, and his adventures. I envied his free will. Perhaps that is what drew me into him. We reached the pond in the center of the park and sadly Sir Jacques' words had come to a halt. As I gazed upon the ducks swimming about the pond, I felt Sir Jacques' movement beside me. I turn to him, and he is smiling at me. I can not help smiling back.

"What is it?" I ask him softly.

"I do not believe I have seen such a beautiful lady such as yourself." He quickly glances away.

My smile widens at his compliment. "Sir Jacques, you flatter me so."

"It is not flattery Ms. Devereux. I assure you. You are a true vision, but..." He rolls his shoulders back and steadies himself.

My smile reverts back to a scowl. He fidgets as he tries to find the words he means to say.

I take a small breath. "Sir Jacques, I understand. I do not feel that way about you either." 

Hurt passes across his face. He feigns a smile and nods. "Right. I hope I do not offend. You are an extraordinary lady. Smart, beautiful, funny and graceful, but I- if I may speak plainly. I have my eyes on another, and I believe you do as well."

My smile returns. "You have eyes for another? My dear Sir Jacques, who is this lady of yours you admire?" I avoid his comments about me, and focus on him.

He turns his gaze to the left, and I follow them as they set upon Lady Ravenna Stuart, Earl Robario Stuart of Cambridge's second eldest daughter. His eyes glossed over as he took in her hair as black as raven feathers. Her hazel eyes found his, and I could feel his breathing turn rigid. My heart warmed at this small intimate moment between them. She quickly looks away and Sir Jacques focuses his attention back on me. I smile brightly at him.

"Lady Ravenna Stuart is very beautiful, and she seems to have taken a liking to you as well." I smile.

"I am very taken by her. You are a lot like her. That is why I am so fond of you." He smiles softly.

"You remind me of the freedom that I will never have. That is why I am fond of you." I nod.

"I really hope we can remain friends." he begins to move again.

"As do I. So will you court lady Ravenna?" he laughs.

"Yes. Soon in fact. And you? Has Elijah asked to court you?" I glanced at him in shock.

"How..." he laughs and glances behind me.

"He has not taken his eyes from you since we parted your family's luncheon tent." 

I turn to meet the Duke's eyes and it is hard to pull away from his gaze. I only look away when Sir Jacques begins to move towards the tent my family is seated under. I fight the smile spreading across my face.

"Interesting. I had not noticed him at all." I lied.

He laughs. "Liar. You have glanced in his direction several times, but do not worry. Your secret's safe with me. So long as you keep mine."

"I shall not speak a word. I could not possibly risk losing my only other friend outside of Eliza and Diane.” I smiled at him.

"That would be awful indeed. I am honored to have earned a friend in you Lady Sabine." He smiles brightly.

"I am also grateful, Sir Anthony." We smile at each other just as we arrive at my family's tent.

"Sir Jacques, would you like to join us for luncheon?" My mother asks him as she bears her heart stopping smile.

"Thank you Lady Devereux, but I shall take my leave. I only wished to speak with Lady Sabine for a few moments. I am afraid I must bid you all a farewell. There is much to be done at my estate." He bows at the waist.

My mother nods and smiles. "Please come and call on us anytime, Sir Jacques." 

"Of course." He turns and leaves the park. 

Elijah and Samuel return from their friendly promenade. Our eyes lock as Elijah moves towards me. I look away to my porcelain teacup and force myself to listen to Aileen and Eliza. I take a sip of the tea and sigh. I missed the taste of the tea from India. I longed for it during the daily teas I had to endure. Eliza taps my hand lightly and I focus on her.

"Sabine, have you not heard a word I've spoken?" She smiles at me knowingly.

"I'm afraid I did not. My mind is occupied it seems." I give her a bright smile and a questioning look.

She leans forward to whisper. "Of whom? Sir Jacques or perhaps a certain brother of mine?”

I look around at my family quickly and back at her. "Please Eliza, I certainly have better things to occupy my mind than a traveler and your brother.”

"Hmm, so you have said. Though I must make you aware that I shan't believe such a lie. I am your best friend." she laughs.

"If you must know, I was only recalling my journey across the world. I miss the tea of India." I sigh. "I still feel weary about finding love before the season is over. Though I would like to think I would need a suitor for that to happen.”

"What? I had thought my brother had expressed in earnest to court you with marriage in mind." she glances at him.

"Indeed he had, but I had not heard a thing from him since then. It has been four days." My body reacts to him the minute he is in close proximity.

"What are you two whispering about?" Samuel asks.

"Sir Jacques of course. We had the most delightful promenade." I speak loudly for my mother's ears.

"He is indeed a wonderful suitor, and he seems quite taken with you darling. A proposal shan't be far away. A few weeks time we shall be planning two grand weddings.” Her smile could rival the sun's light.

Elijah's nose flares and he turns to my parents. "If I am allowed Lady Devereux, your daughter is an extraordinary lady. I myself find our time together the past weeks to be enchanting." His eyes lock onto mine.

My breath hitches in my throat. My mother looks between us and realization passes over her face before excitement settles in. She nudges my father and he nods. They seem to speak to each other without having to actually use words. I found it both fascinating and a great distraction from the Duke's beautiful green eyes. 

"Well, we will have to consider all of Sabine's options, of course. We want to secure the right match. Wouldn't you agree with me Vanessa?” The dowager duchess smiles.

"I should think it is Rosalind. Perhaps my son will stop dragging his feet, and announce his intentions properly?" She stares at him expectantly.

He clears his throat. "Right. Lord Devereux, Lady Devereux, I ask your permission to court Lady Sabine."

My heart pounds against my chest. I did not fully understand my feelings, but I knew this was something I was excited for, and perhaps I was cross with him because I had thought he made a fool of me, but he was nervous too. He had his own reasons for being hesitant, so perhaps this was a hard transition for him. Marriage was a long way off, but courting would do just fine for me. 

There was a pause before my parents conversed with their eyes again before nodding, and finally saying. “You have our blessing.” The women under the tent are beaming. Myself included. 

He nods at my father, and turns to me. “Well then, Miss Devereux, would you grant me the honor of a proper promenade?”

He holds his hand out and I try not to leap from my seat on the ground. “I should love to, Your Grace.” I take his hand and slowly rise from the ground.

Once I am firmly on my feet, I quickly release his hand for the sake of the onlookers. They might think our hand holding is scandalous. We begin our walk about the park slowly, staying close to each other, but not too close. We are silent as we walk, and my fingers won’t stop moving over my gown. We remain silent as we walk, and my fingers won’t stop moving over the peach roses  and crystals embroidered onto my peach gown. My arms brushes over the fabric of his baby blue coat as we walk past the prying eyes of every Lord and Lady of the Ton, and my stomach flutters at the contact. Or perhaps, I am nervous from the constant roaming eyes aimed at me and the Duke. After a few short minutes, he speaks my name.

“Sabine.” He steals a glance at me, urging me to speak.

I attempt to keep my face free from emotion as best as I can before responding. “ You were gone for days without a word.” I lower my voice a hushed whisper as I glance around nervously afraid of being overheard. “You steal a kiss from me, declare you intend to court me with marriage in mind, and disappear without so much as a note or letter or any explanation at all.”

HE pauses to study me completely. “Are you very angry with me?”

I turn to him. “I am not sure how I feel. I feel something, but not anger. Not really. Perhaps I have been anxious that you changed your mind. That I was alone in my …in this. This is new territory. I know nothing of what I am to do or feel.”

He sighs and nods slowly. “I apologize. I was called away to tend to some matters that needed my attention, but I promise to leave notice when business calls me away again. And I shall write while I am away.”

I smile softly. “Apology accepted.” I pause a few minutes to think. “I also apologize. You are a Duke. Important matters would call you away often. I suppose I must come to terms with that fact if we are to court.”

He smiles as we begin to walk the trail again. “I must say I am pleased to hear that you still have interest in courting me.”

“Well, Your Grace, the season has just begun. It is long and treacherous, so we shall see how it goes.” I send a blinding smile in his direction just as the Viscountess taught me.

“That it is Miss Devereux. I look forward to what lies ahead. Now that it is settled that we are courting. Shall we go for ice cream?” He inquires playfully.

“I should love to, Your Grace.” I smile as the fluttering in my stomach turns into flip flops.

We walked the short distance to the ice cream parlor across from the park. When we enter I take a seat at the white French style table for two by the window. I study the people passing by while Elijah heads to the counter to order. After a few short minutes he returns with two cups of strawberry ice cream, my favorite.  I happily accept the cup and spoon.

I shoot him a side glance. “How did you know strawberry was my favorite?”

A sweet smile spreads across his face. “I did not know. I simply picked the superior flavor. IT is my favorite as well.”

“It seems we have something in common, Elijah.” I take the small spoon and pile as much ice cream as I can before hurting into my mouth.

“Indeed it seems we do, Sabine. Tell me, how do you feel about horses?” He raises a curious brow in my direction as he watches my movements intently.

“I love them. They are beautiful creatures. In fact I have a beautiful stallion named Shadow.” I focus on him as he smiles. “I assume you have a horse or two?” I take another spoonful as I wait for him to answer.

“I have several, but my favorite one is a mare named Strawberry. His smile brightens at the thought of her. “We should go for a ride in the morrow to see the sunrise.”

“I should like that.” We finish our ice cream, and decide to rejoin our families in the park for luncheon and tea.

As we reach the tent I notice Eliza is sitting with Lord Bumble, who surprisingly looks a lot less crooked than I last saw him, and they seemed to be having quite the meaningful conversation. I turned slightly to my right, and Diane and her family had joined us while the Duke and I were away. She herself was immersed in conversation with the very handsome Lord Lewis Malcolm. A smile formed on my face at the sight of my best friends well on their way to love. Perhaps in time we would all be married, but only time would tell. For now a simple lunch would suffice for now.