Page 12 of Yours Truly, the Duke
They were too close. But she couldn’t complain when she hadn’t bothered to step away. Keeping a man in his proper place was a lady’s responsibility. She couldn’t allow him to make her forget that.
She slowly backed up a step and asked, “How did you hear I was considering marriage?”
“Nothing is private or even sacred in London, Miss Hale. Not the streets, the parks, the drawing rooms, nor the bedchambers.”
From what she read in the scandal sheets, she believed that to be true. But here in the country where social standards were more relaxed and houses were much farther apart, she thought she could entertain a gentleman or two with afternoon tea and polite conversation and no one would notice.
“It had to be my barrister,” she mused. “No one else knew. I wanted it kept quiet because of the children.”
He pursed his lips and remained silent, letting her know he wasn’t going to admit to anyone telling him.
“I didn’t realize it had gotten out that I—” She looked away, unable to finish her sentence. It really didn’t matter how he found out. She was determined to manage this as she had everything else since she became the children’s unofficial guardian.
The significance of her situation suddenly felt heavier than it ever had. It was one thing for her to be privately considering gentlemen as prospects for the position of husband; to have one actually offer for her hand was most unexpected. What was she going to do?
“It’s not public knowledge from what I understand,” he added in a soft tone.
A swift measure of relief shivered through her. It wasgood to know she wasn’t being talked about in polite circles.
His expression gentled. “I know you have a cousin who wants to take guardianship of the children from you and, because of circumstances, her chances of winning in Chancery Court are good.”
Fredericka’s heart pounded at hearing him speak the cold, hard truth of her situation even though he did so with a measure of understanding. Only natural instinct kept her calm on the outside while inside she felt the turmoil of what losing the children would do to her.
“You will be in a better position to keep them if you are wed,” he continued. “Especially to me.”
“You?” She exhaled unevenly, feeling overcome by the unfairness of it all. No, she would be better with Mr. Maywaring, who was obviously now late for their afternoon visit. “How canyoubenefit me, Your Grace? You have the worst reputation in London. You’ve renounced two engagements already and had to pay enormous sums of money because of them.”
“It was only one broken betrothal, and it was the young lady who rescinded her acceptance.” The wrinkle returned to his brow, but his tone remained level. “Believe me, the lady was far better off without me, and I did the right thing and made a settlement with her father even though it wasn’t necessary or expected. In the end, everything turned out for the best and she is now happily married.”
“The broken engagement isn’t even the half of it,” she added, as more of the things she’d read about him through the years came to her mind. “You shot a man in a duel, and he almost died. You were forced to leave London for a while because of it.”
“I can’t refute that.…” He paused and cursed softlyunder his breath. “Not that it matters now, but he challenged me. I had no choice in the matter if I was going to save his honor and my own. He’s damned lucky I’m a good marksman and didn’t kill him.”
She huffed at his brusque language. “You’ve been seen throughout London with all manner of disreputable people. Men and women. And just recently you and your equally wild friends, the Duke of Stonerick and Duke of Hurstbourne, had a mad, reckless curricle race through town that caused several accidents before you finally stopped your rigs. Everyone was surprised no one was seriously injured in the incident. Not to mention the string of broken hearts you’ve left behind at the end of every Season. If a man could be ruined, you’d be ruined! How could you possibly make a good husband?”
“Perhaps much of what is written about me is true, but not all.” A small muscle worked in his jaw. “Surely you know that the gossipmongers excel at making up stories about the people whose names help sell their newsprints. Hurst and Rick included. I won’t answer every ridiculous charge, Miss Hale.”
“Why would the scandal sheets make up something when you give them fresh stories every week?”
“I admit my reputation is far from exemplary and I have been ungovernable and reckless for most of my life.…” He paused and suddenly a touch of an attractive grin settled softly around his mouth, making her unbearably aware of her interest in him. “I’m glad to hear youdoread the scandal sheets. You seem rather decorous about all things; I was beginning to wonder if you ever did anything that would be considered even slightly improper.”
His inviting demeanor and casual comment, which she felt was meant to take some of the steam off her exasperation, had done exactly that. She relaxed a little. Her muscles were beginning to cramp from holding herself so rigid.
“I would think everyone reads them from time to time,” she answered, hoping that would absolve her of any seemingly wrongdoing. “And it’s certainly not inappropriate to read tittle-tattle. The gossip sheets are very informative. That’s how I know you’ve been a rakish, boisterous man-about-town given to drinking bouts, excessive gambling, and—” Her mind struggled to find more offenses.
Far from being upset by her charges, he smiled and nodded again. His face eased into an expression of amusement and his look caused her to feel those decidedly feminine sensations once more.
“I don’t think you missed one of my faults. You covered them all.”
“No, there are others,” she said before she could stop herself.
“What can I say?” He held up his hands in a gesture of surrender and chuckled attractively, making it clear he wasn’t taking umbrage. “I am without excuse. Please continue with more. I’ve forgotten a lot of the things I’ve done.” He shrugged good-naturedly. “Too many bad things to remember.”
Fredericka almost smiled at the charming remark. She took a deep, solid breath, bound and determined not to let this man get the best of her, though she felt she was failing miserably. It was difficult to be upset with someone who agreed with you. Along with how he made her feel, he had an answer for every accusation put forth. What would be the use in adding to the list?
“As it happens, I do need a husband,” she admitted with more than a little grudging sound to her voice, asshe wondered whether Mr. Maywaring was going to show. Until recently she’d shunned thoughts of marriage, thinking it would be an impediment to taking care of the children.
The duke relaxed his arms and shoulders. “I’m glad you finally admitted that. You had me worried for a moment or two.”
