Page 25 of Three Nights with the Beastly Duke

Agnes’s smile widened, and she nodded her head excitedly. “Yes, very much so. I love their colors and the beautiful scents they give off.”

“Well then, you must be sure to visit us in Whitekin as soon as possible,” he replied, giving her a kind smile. “My mother and sister share your love for colorful blooms. I swear their garden is the biggest and brightest in all of England.”

“Oh, I would love that!” Agnes exclaimed, looking pleadingly up at her father. “Can we please visit soon, Papa?”

“Most assuredly,” Kenneth promised her, giving her a kind look. “Within the month, to be certain.”

The united family continued giving their well wishes until there was nothing left to do but for Lavinia and Arthur to take their leave. Arthur watched as bittersweet hugs were exchanged between Lavinia and her two sisters, and for a moment, he felt a sweeping emotion of guilt.

He pictured Rebecca in Lavinia’s place, and it didn’t sit right with him. Even if Lavinia had betrayed him. But either way, he would have taken one of the sisters away from the two others.

Arthur then shook Kenneth’s hand and assured him that he would be informed of their safe journey as soon as they arrived. His mother was next. She hugged him tightly, and then assured him that she would be arriving in the morning. Agnes, in her flurry of loving energy, wrapped her arms around him and gave him a tight hug.

As he looked at Rebecca, her blue eyes shining with tears, he gave her a simple nod, which she returned with the faintest of smiles.

“Shall we?” he asked Lavinia, holding his hand out to her. Lavinia smiled at him graciously as she took it and nodded. Dutifully, he helped her into the carriage and waited until she was situated. “All in hand?” he asked when she turned back to him expectedly.

“Yes, Your Grace,” she replied, patting the seat beside her. “Please, come join me.”

“Another time,” he replied numbly. “It is a beautiful day. I shall ride with the driver a bit.”

As he watched Lavinia’s look of happiness crumble in despair, he almost took back his words and got in. Instead, he closed the door with care and then climbed up to the open seat beside the driver.

* * *

Lavinia wasn’t sure why, but when she realized that Arthur was not going to ride with her inside the carriage, she felt tears start to prick at her eyes. She had hoped that sometime within the last two weeks, she could speak to her new husband, to clear the air and let him know that their marriage was more than just a trick to her. But the moment had never come.

Then, today, as they were wed, she had been filled with hope that they would have a three-hour carriage ride back to Whitekin to finally talk. She had been sure that he’d have no choice but to listen to her then. And now, here he was, riding beside the driver and leaving her alone, once more, with all of her thoughts.

She spent the first hour trying to distract herself by the changing scenery outside of her window. She’d never traveled north that much and found the roads and pathways beautiful. But soon, even the pretty landscape bored her, and she pulled out a small book from her reticule. After a half hour, though, she tossed it unceremoniously onto the vacant seat beside her and abandoned it.

Lavinia was starting to fear that she wouldn’t have the opportunity to speak with her husband at all—perhaps even ever again—when the carriage slowed to a stop about an hour away from Whitekin. She sat up in her seat expectantly, wondering what was happening, and felt relief when the carriage door opened and Arthur appeared.

“Insects are dreadful things,” he declared as he climbed in, wiping some sort of dark matter from his cheeks. “I had no idea they appear in droves on roads.”

Insects?That is why you are finally riding with me? Insects?

“Dreadful creatures, to be sure,” she agreed.

A moment of silence enveloped them as the carriage began to move again, and Lavinia gathered her strength to finally speak to her new husband.

“Your Grace, please,” she implored. “I beg a moment of your time. I wish to speak of our marital matters.”

“Speaking of such things, there is no need to call me by my title when we are alone,” Arthur replied matter-of-factly. “Arthur is fine. Husband will do as well.”

Thinking this was a good start, Lavinia happily nodded.

“Arthur, then,” she replied. “If I may—”

“Your trick was rather good,” Arthur retorted, suddenly busying himself with his coat buttons. “I am still angry about it, but it was well played. Now, you will no longer bear the title of spinster, but instead Duchess. Your enemies will hate you more now, but they will be forced to respect you due to your rank. Well played. Very well played.”

Arthur’s words stung, but she wasn’t going to waste her time with hurt feelings.

“My only goal was always to get my sister out of harm’s way, and you know it,” Lavinia retorted matter-of-factly. “I’ve never hid that from you.”

Arthur scoffed, “So, youdobelieve the rumors that I am a beast.” He laughed coldly. “Of course, you do. Even with your pretending, I knew.”

“That is not true at all,” Lavinia replied quickly. “Though your behavior is certainly not gentlemanly at the moment. I meant harm from a broken heart. She is in love with someone else.”

---