Richard escorted Diana through Kingsmere the next morning with a maid walking several steps behind them.
For propriety.
Any other man could walk through his own town with a young woman and no one would raise an eyebrow, provided they were not caught alone with half their clothes missing. But Richard Montague, Duke of Kingsmere, had the reputation that entered rooms ten minutes before he did.
Kingsmere was not as grand as the city. Narrow lanes curved between stone cottages and timbered shops.
As they walked, Livia noticed the people were free with him. Richard listened. He asked questions. He crouched to speak to kids.
Livia watched him, surprised. He even gave tax rebates to a struggling farmer. She looked at Richard then and saw, perhaps for the first time, why Kingsmere loved him. She also noticed something else.
