Page 20 of Sincerely, the Duke
His mother’s lips twitched in a near celebratory smile. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“And outspoken,” he added.
Her smile faded and she brought her hands around front and held them together at her waist. “That doesn’t exactly reassure me of her suitability for you, Stonerick. You need a wife who always knows her place in all situations.”
The muscles around his eyes tightened. “I thought you had great respect for women who are outspoken.”
“Oh, I do. For mothers. Not wives,” she answered with sincerity. “However, if her deportment doesn’t change, I’m sure one of your solicitors can easily get you out of this offer for her hand any time you wish. They’ll know how to explain to her this was an unfortunate mistake. If her family insists on restitution, you can arrange an appropriate settlement, which I’m sure they will be happy to accept.”
Her words made Rick’s back twitch as thoughts of the fevers returned. No, he was not letting Miss Fine get away. He needed a wife, and she was the one he wanted.
“I’m going to marry her.”
Confusion settled in his mother’s features. He knew she wanted to feel relief that he was finally going to marry but wasn’t certain he’d picked the right bride—the right way. He understood all her worries. He had wrestled with them too.
“All right,” she said, braving a smile. “After you’ve gone through the Season with her, you’ll know if her outspokenness continues or if there are other unflattering traits.”
“It’s done, Maman. We will wed within the next few days.”
Alberta’s eyes went wide again as a gust of wind blew the ribbons of her hat across her cheek. “That soon, Stonerick?”
“I’d rather she attend the Season as my wife.”
“Why? There’s no reason when the Season is so close and you still have so many young ladies to meet.”
That’s what the ravaging fevers had him thinking too until he met Miss Fine, but all he said to his mother was, “Did you forget Shubert and his newborn son?”
Her lips pressed together again in a distraught line for a few seconds. “I suppose I did. It’s disconcerting that all this time I’ve longed for the day I’d hear you were to wed, and now that you are, the feeling isn’t the joyful one I’d always expected.”
Rick understood her meaning. There was always a bit of sadness when a long-sought goal was reached. Especially the unusual way this one had come about.
“I may be an ill-tempered brute most of the time, Maman, but I’m a man of honor as well. I wrote the letter. I will honor it.”
“You are a duke,” she said with pride beaming in her voice and countenance. “You don’t have to marry anyone you don’t want to.”
“I asked. She accepted. Be happy knowing I will marry soon. You’ve been waiting to hear this news since the day my father died.”
“Of course I have,” she said without pretense. “I’ve never denied that. But the truth is, I don’t think I meant it when I said it didn’t matter who you married. It does.”
Rick gave her an understanding smile but remained silent. He wasn’t going to change his mind.
“I never dreamed your betrothal would be conducted in such a haphazard manner, and though I agree with the necessary haste because of Shubert’s good fortune, it makes me worried for you. I do want you to be happy. Your father and I had a short marriage but we were happy when we were together.”
Now that he knew what had happened concerning the letter, Rick resolved that he may never have another bout of high fevers but was no longer willing to take the chance. He needed an heir and wasfinewith Miss Fine. With all the qualities he liked about her, there lingered an air of mystery surrounding her and it was intoxicating. He could wait to find out everything about her. A little mystery about a lady was good.
Fate had directed him to stop on her name that night. Fate had caused him to throw the wrong piece of paper into the fire, and for his mother’s inept secretary to have mailed it was all the proof he needed that she was the one for him.
“I appreciate her candor. She’ll do nicely, Maman.”
“Very well, I will do my best to trust your decision on that. When will I meet her?”
Rick’s mind swirled with possibilities. Dinner at his house or his mother’s would probably work. But then his gaze landed on the chair with the book about superstitions. He didn’t want his bride to see that kind of book or be subjected to prattle about his mother’s recent leanings into what he considered hocus-pocus nonsense. If she had to hear it, better it be after Miss Fine said “I do.”
“At the wedding, Maman.”
“What?” She let out a soft laugh. “You can’t mean that, Stonerick.”
“I do,” he answered quietly. “It will be easier for all of us to keep everything simple. We’ll have the wedding at my house as soon as all the plans can be made. I’ll keep you apprised of how quickly the negotiations for the contracts can be settled and properly signed.”
