Page 13 of Sincerely, the Duke
“You said your sisters were older than you, so they are content with you doing this for them?”
She hesitated and cleared her throat. She hoped not telling all the truth wasn’t the same thing as an outright lie. “They are a little older, and yes, they are content with things as they are. You also need to know that the viscount expects my husband to take complete responsibility for my two sisters. Sadly, now that Papa is gone and he expects we will soon be someone else’s responsibility, he’s decided to close the house in York where we’ve lived all our lives.”
His Grace shrugged. “I don’t see marriage for them as a problem, Miss Fine. I’ll find gentlemen your sisters will approve of.”
“That might be harder than you think.”
“You really don’t know how easy this will be for me, do you?” He shook his head in frustration. “I can arrange to have them meet more than a dozen gentlementomorrow who would be more than happy to marry them. Surely, they will find one to their liking over the course of the Season.”
Edwina pursed her lips for a moment. “One would think, but it’s not always the case.”
He seemed to study that with deep interest. “Is there anything pertinent about the virtue of either you or your sisters I should know about that would make an acceptable, interested man reconsider?”
The duke could get her back up quicker than anyone she’d ever met. “What are you suggesting, Your Grace?”
His thick brows knitted together in a scowl. “I’m not suggesting anything, Miss Fine.Youare the one who said it might not be easy to find your sisters husbands. Not me. I’ve always thought it a woman’s nature to want a husband so I was merely inquiring as to reasons why it might be difficult.”
Without effort her shoulders stiffened and lifted. “I will stake my life on the fact that we are all untouched.”
“Yourlife?”
The duke folded his arms across his chest, took a comfortable stance, and then had the nerve to smile at her in the most charming way. Edwina felt as if heated water was pouring over her with soothing warmth and all she wanted to do was bask in it. She had no idea a smile from a man could make a lady feel that way.
“Well then, Miss Fine, I will not argue with a lady who would do so. Don’t let me stop you. Go on.”
The warmth she was feeling disappeared quickly. He could have said he believed her. She would have liked to hear that. But for now, she’d let that pass.
“My sisters each have valid reasons for wanting to remain unmarried. Eleonora fell desperately in love with ayoung man more than a year ago. He never had a strong constitution and, as misfortune goes, he caught a chill and passed away before they could discuss marriage. She’s vowed never to consider another.”
“Perhaps it’s been enough time, and she’ll now reflect on the possibility of another.”
“That is my hope. Eileen could contemplate making a match if she could get her head out of the clouds long enough to do so. Our father, a learned man himself, educated all three of his daughters quite well, but Eileen’s thirst for knowledge has far exceeded mine and Eleonora’s. She’s especially fond of staying up most of the night and searching the dark heavens for every falling star that streaks across the sky. After only a few hours of sleep, she’s combing through the gardens for new plants, bees, bugs, or something new to discover.”
“I’ll find her a gentleman who desires the same lustful pleasures of looking at the heavens as she does.”
Edwina took a step back, staring at him with an air of disapproval. “I don’t think that description is an appropriate one to use for a lady and certainly not my sister, Your Grace.”
He frowned and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “What—Which description are you taking exception to?”
Wondering if she wanted to repeat it, she cleared her throat. “Lustful pleasureswas out of line, sir. Perhaps you meant someone who has the same knowledgeable interests as Eileen.”
One of his shoulders tweaked. “Yes, of course, that’s what I meant,” he agreed with a quick nod, though Edwina could see by his frown that he didn’t agree at all.
“She enjoys charting the movements of things in the sky such as how many shooting stars she can see anddocuments the days and times. She faithfully writes to an astronomer named Mr. Herschel each month, wanting him to invite her for a visit, and hoping she might offer her services as an assistant to his sister, who is also an accomplished astronomer.”
“I’ll find someone for her who appreciates what the man has accomplished. What else?” he asked impatiently, resting his hands on his hips once again.
Carefully watching him, she worried again about how much she should tell him. “Well, that’s it, except…”
“What?” He cocked his head back in irritation. “There’s no need to dribble out information a little at a time, Miss Fine. Just tell me what you want me to know or do and let’s get on with this matter.”
With a feeling of dread, she said, “They both look much like me and have red hair and green eyes,” she stated as irritably as he had spoken.
He looked at her in disbelief. “That’s the second time you mentioned your hair color. Does it bother you?”
“Me?” Why would he say that? “No, of course not.”
He looked unconvinced. “Then what makes you think it concerns me?”
