Page 84 of Without Pride and Prejudice

“I can’t wait for you totalk duchessto me,” he groaned.

“Well then, let’s go make me a duchess, because you areexactly the man who, in disposition and talents, most suits me.”

“You had to throw a littlePride and Prejudicein there,” he teased.

If it weren’t forPride and Prejudice, I didn’t know if we would be here.

Valentine’s Day

“You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”

MONROE

I TIPTOED PAST MUM B.’s suite, only because I didn’t have time today for our usual tête-à- tête—more like verbal sparring matches that Beatrix apparently lived for. She wasn’t exactly the warmest mother-in-law.

It was Valentine’s Day, and I’d been planning a romantic night at home in front of the fireplace with Fitz’s favorite meal, and me in something sexy. Colette had just finished helping me make an Indian curry dish and decorate his library in cutesy Valentine’s decorations I knew he would think were ridiculous, but that’s how we rolled in this relationship. I just needed to change and grab my gift for him before he came home.

I’d given the staff, including Kingston, the rest of the night off. I’d hinted to Kingston that he should take Anna out, but they were so stubborn. Kingston’s newest excuse was that Anna was too young for him. A twelve-year age gap didn’t seem like a lot to me. He didn’t want anyone to think that he was being untoward, but Fitz and I would never think such a thing. I could still understand his caution, even though it was heartbreaking to watch them fight their feelings. And I think some things had happened between them that they were keeping secret.

I barely made it past Beatrix’s door when her pups, Alfie and Oscar, came running out, giving me away.

“Is thatyou?” Beatrix called.

That’s basically how she addressed me:you.

“Yes, it’s me, the duchess,” I responded, knowing she loathed that I’d received her title. It’s not like I loved it, other than it meaning I was married to Fitz. So far, I had done nothing too embarrassing in the public eye. Other than at Viscount Phillips’s Christmas party—the same viscount who had beat Fitz for hottest eligible bachelor in the UK. Still didn’t agree with that assessment. Anyway, in my haste to help one of the waitstaff steady a tray of hors d’oeuvres she was about to drop, I tripped over my own feet and went hurtling into her and, well ... It was a mess. It was a good thing Viscount Phillips has such a good sense of humor.

“Enter,” she said tersely. Why she thought I wished to come into her room, I had no idea, but I knew it was best to just get it over with.

With the pooches by my side, I walked into her elegantly decorated sitting area, which was larger than most of the bedrooms in the mansion. Intricately carved tables and plush velvet furniture adorned the room. She spent most of her time holed up in here with her harp and shelves full of books. I’d heard her play it a few times, but she didn’t appreciate when I mentioned how much I enjoyed it. Heaven forbid she did anything I liked.

“Can I get you anything?” I asked as soon as I walked in to find her sitting on the couch, going through a box of what looked like old letters. Mr. Darcy, my cat, was curled up next to her. Beatrix would never admit it but she loved my cat, and for some reason, Mr. Darcy loved her. It was kind of cute. I didn’t draw attention to it or she would have told me to keep better watch of my cat. Little did she know, I’d seen her on more than oneoccasion lure my kitty into her room with a can of tuna. In fact, her room faintly smelled of tuna now.

Her head snapped up, her brow scrunching. “I wish to speak to you.”

I leaned against the doorframe, hoping this wouldn’t take long. “What about?”

She set the box aside and sat up tall in her silk pajamas and robe. It surprised me she was wearing pajamas so early in the evening.

“Don’t think I’m not aware of everyone’s opinion of me. I know you and my children believe I am a cold-hearted old woman.”

That about summed it up, but I didn’t argue the point. I mean, she’d refused to attend our wedding. And though it had been Fitz’s grandmother’s wish for him to gift his wife her wedding ring, Beatrix wouldn’t hear of me wearing it. Not that I didn’t love the sparkler he’d given me, but Fitz’s grandmother had meant a lot to him. According to Fitz, she was much warmer than his mother. The ring would have had sentimental value, and I love sentimentality.

I said nothing. This felt like a trap, and I just wanted to get ready for my husband.

When I didn’t respond, Beatrix continued with a huff. “You don’t think that I used to be happy and have dreams of my own? Well, I did.”

This was definitely news to me. “What dreams?” I asked.

She adjusted herself and swallowed hard. “I was in love once, too.”

“I’m sure you loved Reginald.” That was Fitz’s father.

“Yes,” she admitted. “At one time I was very much in love with him, but ...”

“But what?” I stepped farther into the room, more than curious now.

“Things change. Love doesn’t always last,” she said, like she was warning me.

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