Page 53 of Three Rules to Wed a Duke

“Yes, I heard you,” she clarified, “but what does that even mean? Why are you happy? What is it that makes you feel that way?”

“I’m happy because…” Anthony stopped to search his thoughts. Frances felt her heartbeat quicken with hope, though she braced herself for disappointment. “Because you’re here.”

“You have to say that,” she said, her shoulders dropping with resignation.

“No, I don’t.”

“It’s expected, I mean. What is it about my being here that makes you happy? It’s not as though you enjoy hours spent in conversation, and it’s certainly not because I’ve attended meals with you,” she said sheepishly.

“I’m happy because… you chose me,” he finally said, “even if it was only because I was the slightly better option.”

“Anthony,” Frances whispered, blinking back tears once more. “I’m sorry I made you feel that way.”

“Why? Isn’t it true?” he asked plainly.

“Well, perhaps there’s some measure of truth to it. But it still wasn’t very thoughtful of me to inform you of it. People deserve to be chosen… wanted.”

“I wanted you, you know. You were the most beautiful young lady I’d ever seen, but more than that, you seemed so confident and self-assured. You seemed to care not if anyone chose you for you knew your own worth. You did not require anyone to validate you.”

“That is the highest compliment anyone has ever given me. Thank you,” she replied in earnest.

“But I’ve made you unhappy.”

“No, these circumstances have diminished my happiness somewhat. But you haven’t thrust me into unhappiness. Far from it.”

Anthony smiled at her, a genuine look of true joy, and Frances feared her heart might actually stop from the sight of him. His already handsome features shone like polished brass when he let himself feel elated. She was drawn to him, more grateful than ever for having accepted his peculiar offer of marriage. All else could wait for another time to consume her thoughts, for at the moment, she simply wanted to be happy with him.

The air seemed to grow thin around her, robbing her of breath, when Anthony stepped closer to her. He’d kept to the other side of the doorway while they’d talked, as though her chambers were a private sanctuary of her own. As he placed a tentative stepinside, Frances slid back, allowing him to enter. The feeling of his hand grasping hers and holding it tightly sent sparks through her limbs, reminding her that she longed to be close to him. Her breath caught in her throat when he leaned closer, watching her warily, then placed a feather-soft kiss on her lips.

Before she even realized it, it was over. Anthony straightened once more, his attention stolen by the sight of Frances’ cold cup of tea. A sad sort of smile crossed his face before he spoke.

“I promise you that I have no other woman in my life. Come, you must be starving. Let’s have that dinner now, hmm?”

CHAPTER 20

True to his word, Anthony led her downstairs to the dining room and seated her himself. Instead of his usual seat, he asked for his plate to be placed beside her.

“You don’t have to do that,” she said shyly, though inwardly, she was thrilled.

“I want to. I want to converse with you.”

“What shall we talk about?” Frances asked, playing along.

“I don’t know. I’m not very practiced at this.”

Frances laughed at his cringing expression. “Well, you are welcome to all the practice you require. I shall go easy on you, as you are a beginner.”

“Thank you, my dear,” he answered with a thin smile.

My dear, Frances thought, the warmth of his sentiment spreading inside her.

“Why don’t you tell me about your family?” she asked lightly as she plucked up her napkin and unfolded it.

Anthony stiffened. He didn’t say anything for several moments, long enough for Frances to look over at him and see that he appeared stricken.

“We don’t have to talk about them,” she offered quietly, but he shook his head.

“No, it’s quite all right.” Anthony cleared his throat and took a sip of his water, then said, “As you can surmise, my father was the Duke of Preston before me. He was a very good man, unequalled in fact. He was everything I’ve ever tried to become.”

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