Page 5 of Duchess Needed
Desperation started to sink into Phoebe’s veins. She knew she would encounter an obstacle or two on this quest, but she had not expected it to emerge so soon.
“I swear on my life that I mean him no harm. I am here to ask for his help and I simply do not wish to endanger my family’s reputation, if I was seen.” she begged, praying within her.
“You could come tomorrow, in the day time –”
“It is far too important sir, and any delay could make the situation much more perilous. Please, sir. I need to speak with him immediately.”
Perhaps her voice sounded more trustworthy than her appearance, because the butler relented, stepping aside so she could walk into the foyer of the estate.
“Follow me, Miss,” he prompted, leading her down a hallway.
They walked in silence, making a single turn right before he opened a door on the left and shifted away from the entrance.
“Wait here, Miss. I shall inform the duke of your presence and your intent to speak to him. It is ultimately up to His Grace, whether he wishes to grant you the privilege or not,” he told her.
Phoebe walked into the room, trying not to panic as the door closed behind her. She had gotten into the estate, which wasfurther than she had expected to, and so, she could not fail now. Not when the future of her family was on the line.
Waiting was difficult, but she forced herself to remain still, not wanting to seem even more suspicious than she undoubtedly did, by the time they returned to her with a verdict. After what felt like ages, the door opened and in walked in a man different from the one she had met earlier.
“Is this she?” he asked, regarding her with a dull expression.
Phoebe’s spine stiffened and she forced herself to stand still, realizing only a second after she had opened her mouth that he was not speaking to her.
“Yes, Your Grace,” the butler replied as he stepped in.
The duke was silent for a moment, then he nodded. “Well, I suppose the least I could do is listen to her plight, given the fact that it seems to have warranted quite a bit of mystery. Leave us, Arnold.”
The butler bowed and exited the room, which suddenly struck Phoebe with a hint of worry, as she was now alone with a man she did not know – a flaw in her plan she had clearly failed to think through.
“You are being far too bold, Miss. It is one thing to have come without a chaperone, but to arrive in the middle of the night at the house of an unmarried man? You could have gotten us bothinto a scandal. Whatever you wish to say had better be worth the risk you have taken on both our behalf,” he remarked, looking unimpressed.
“My apologies for... everything, Your Grace. For showing up unannounced, at such an hour as well. I am a spinster, and as such, I have not found myself in need of a chaperone for quite some time,” she explained hastily, hoping he would understand.
“I see,” he nodded curtly. “Well, it’s just us two, now. Surely it is safe to lower your hood. It would not benefit me in anyway to expose the fact that this meeting took place anyway.”
Phoebe knew he was right, so she did as he requested, gently pulling back the hood of her cloak, her body tensing in mild anticipation for the usual reaction she received from strangers upon their first look at her face.
But he did not give her the satisfaction she expected as a result of her preparedness. He simply stared directly at her, his heavy gaze unflinching as it gave her a single, curious glance from her head to her toes.
“That’s better. You may continue,” the duke prompted, gesturing to her.
She hesitated, a little surprised at his calm reaction. Still, she refused to be deterred, raising her chin as she told him,
“I would like to apologize once more, for the sudden visit. It simply could not wait. You see, Your Grace... I am here because of the advertisement of your need for a wife. I believe I have the perfect candidate for you.”
Edward could not help but feel intrigued by her words.
Everything about the current circumstance was quite strange – from the hour the woman had shown up, to her nervous demeanour. He had expected her to confess that she had heard assassination plans against his life or something as dire as that.
To think that the matter was about his advertisement... Edward had not even realized it had been published yet. He had only told his aunt about it in an effort to warn her ahead and Mr Lambert had told him to expect the news to be publicized in about two days during meeting yesterday.
Even if it had come out already, he had not expected to receive such an immediate response.
“Is that so?” he mused out of curiosity.
The young woman before him nodded vigorously, clearly of the belief that she held the only thing that could satisfy his desires.
“Yes, Your Grace. I believe my sister; Anna Danvers would be an ideal match for you. She is kind, obedient, and quite smart, aswell. She is the youngest of our household, so she understands the value of family greatly, as our elder brother and I have ensured that we instilled familial ideals in her. I personally saw to it that she was given a basic education the etiquette and she is very dependable, as she is respectful, Your Grace.” She told him earnestly.
