Page 13 of Yours Truly, the Duke
“But not a duke,” she added with quiet resolve. “Especially one with your reputation.”
“Even with my faults, you are still better off in your court pursuits married to me. A certain amount of power and privilege comes with my title and, because of my questionable character, I have no misgivings about using it to aid you if it becomes necessary.”
That reminder gave her pause. What he said was undeniable. She wavered and quickly tried to bolster her weakening feelings by saying, “I was looking to marry someone more suited to me and the kind of life I want for myself and the children. Why would you even want to marry me? We’re strangers. Surely there are many ladies who would be more suited to your life and the way you live it.”
“That’s probably true,” he said without a trace of arrogance. “But you have exactly what I want, Miss Hale.”
His quiet statement shortened her breaths and made her stomach quiver. A comfortable edge to his voice sent a shivery feeling up her spine that chilled her and then washed over her like warm, soapy water filled with bubbles.
Instead of giving in to the wonderful feeling, she pushed it aside and asked, “How can you say that? You don’t know me.”
“I know enough,” he continued with his bid to winover an affirmative answer from her. “We will suit perfectly.”
“Perfectly?” she admonished with more angst than she wanted to convey to him.
He shrugged. “It’s true.” His tone was matter-of-fact.
“We won’t suit at all,” she insisted, refusing to surrender to the unexpected feelings going on inside her or even the possibility what he just declared might be true. “Your arrogance is proof. No matter your title, you are still an undisciplined, restless, and irresponsible bachelor who spends all his time gambling, fencing, and doing other things for a group called the Brass Deck.”
“My sporting club is active and important to all of us. Many wagers are placed on each game and we always play to win. I make no apologies for it.”
“Obviously not. I’ve heard card parties go on for days at your house and your dinner parties are quite loud, lavish, and last until sunup. I am an uncomplicated, modest miss who has no desire to put up with your foolish behavior.”
An endearing smile spread his masculine lips and she sensed a sudden change in him; a softness that intrigued and frustrated her. He was far more competitive than she and it showed in every word and movement.
“And a very prim and proper miss you are, Miss Hale, but you are far from simple. You have taken me to task at every turn.”
She accepted what he said as a compliment and appreciated it. If only she could find joy in it. “Your sudden entrance into my life distresses me,” she admitted honestly, as it made her realize the true sharp point of her dilemma. How realistic, really, was it that she would find a suitable man to marry her when she would insist three children come with her into the marriage?
“For what reason?” he asked, evidently not understanding her continued reservations. “I’m offering you exactly what you need. A husband.”
“But I never expected a duke,” she answered defiantly, as she was forced to consider the possibility that Mr. Maywaring was not going to be a possibility since he hadn’t bothered to keep their appointment. “I don’t even want a duke. An unassuming poet would do.”
His brow tightened. “I doubt that, Miss Hale, but who I am doesn’t matter. What I’m prepared to do does. I’m told you are happy living here on Paddleton with the children, which I know is held in trust for Charles. I am most at home in London, where I have my own pursuits. There’s no need for either of us to change our lives for the other in any way except for the fact we’ll be married. I have no reason to rush to have a son, and you have plenty of children to occupy you for years to come. There’s no cause why we can’t continue to live our lives separately well into the foreseeable future.”
Separate lives?
Was he serious?
“You mean we wouldn’t have to live together? As husband and wife?”
A hint of amusement laced his tone. “Not even a wedding night, unless you’d rather we—”
“No, no,” she interrupted him while trying to quell her jumping stomach and racing heartbeat. He was making it clear he didn’t want her. A wave of old, stinging hurts of not being wanted flushed through her. She would be in his way if she were in London with him. That was simple enough to understand. Fredericka thought she was past those childhood fears of rejection and being in the way. The duke had revived them. She quickly banished the unwanted feelings from her mind. “I’m only trying to make sure I understand your intentions.”
He indicated he understood by a slight nod. “Eventually we would have to live together, but not for some time.”
“And my sister’s children?”
“Will stay here with you in their home as they do now. I see no reason to upset any of you by moving into one of my homes unless that’s what you prefer. If this is where they are happy, this is where they belong. But of course, I would insist on assuming all of your financial obligations.”
She felt another apple trying to go down her throat. “All of them?”
“It’s only right I do. On that, there could be no persuasion otherwise. That includes all the responsibilities for this house, as it would be considered your home for now.”
To be taken care of in such an elaborate way as a duchess would be, yet free to live her own life? She had to give this more serious consideration, but she needed time. Her breaths came shorter as her mind whirled with possibilities. With no monetary worries she could get a tutor to help Charles with his speech and hire another, younger governess to assist Miss Litchfield, and they all needed new clothing.
Fredericka’s mind churned with all the things she could do for the children if she didn’t have financial restrictions. Things that Jane had declared only she could do because Fredericka couldn’t afford the extras that came with giving the children a proper childhood.
