Page 47 of Three Nights with the Beastly Duke

“Much like you,” Arthur replied, tiring of his mother’s passive-aggressive nature. One minute she was singing Lavinia’s praises, and the next she was nitpicking every small thing.

“Howdareyou!” his mother gasped.

“Oh, come now, Mother, please be off this front,” Arthur urged, rising from the breakfast table. “You like her, and you know it. You’re just still upset that your plan wasn’t followed as you hoped. But don’t you see? This is far better! Susan is no longer being a hellion. The household’s responsibilities are being taken over seamlessly. My wife is not a young girl terrified of her husband, but a woman who cares for and respects him. What is there to complain about?”

Marianne’s mouth opened as she seemed to get ready for another speech, but before she could do so, Susan breezed in, and asked, “Good heavens, why the shouting? Is it not too early for this?”

“Mother is still disappointed that I did not marry Rebecca,” Arthur replied dryly.

Susan let out an unladylike squawk of a laugh. “It is good he did not, Mama, trust me,” she stated as her tea was poured. “Lavinia and I were just going over the final guest list for this evening when a letter arrived from Miss Rebecca. It turns out that her story of a beau was true. A soldier, much like my Joshua. Her family is bringing him along this evening.”

Joshua’s name left Susan’s lips with a soft, love-filled sigh, and Arthur couldn’t help but smile. Now that he was experiencing happiness of his own, he was relieved that his sister had found the same. He was even happy that Rebecca had, despite her poor treatment of him earlier.

“Come, Mother,” Arthur pleaded. “It is time to move on. We are all happy, save for you.”

“Do not talk to me of happiness,” Marianne chastised. “When you were sulking around her for days after your marriage.”

As she said this, Lavinia walked in. Arthur watched as the smile on her face suddenly dropped, and she looked at him with worried eyes. Arthur gave her a reassuring look and walked over to her side.

“I have changed, Mother,” he stated, looking at Marianne as he kissed Lavinia’s temple and put his arm around her waist. “For the better.” He smiled down at Lavinia proudly. “Come, darling, it’s a bit abrasive in here,” he told her. “Let us break our fast on the patio while we still have the summer’s favor.” He gave his mother another look, and in a calm voice stated, “Really, Mother. Let it go.”

“Have I done something wrong?” Lavinia asked him as he led her down the hall.

“Not at all,” he assured her. “Mother is just sour that her plans for me were not carried out. Give her time. She will drop her barbs eventually and embrace you for the wonderful woman that you are.”

“We both know my penchant for patience is strong,” Lavinia replied, leaning into him as they walked.

“Indeed, it is.” Arthur chuckled, escorting her outside.

A footman had followed them outside, and once he received their breakfast order, he scurried away, leaving Arthur and Lavinia alone.

So much had changed in just the last few weeks. Arthur had forgiven Lavinia for her original deceptive plan, and since they’d first made love, he found himself transforming into a completely different man. He had always thought he was a man who did not care for chatter, but he and Lavinia had filled dozens, if not hundreds, of hours with talk.

They had shared their pasts, all of it, and he had learned much. Not just about his wife, but himself. So many things he’d held onto had been shed, and he felt lighter, giddy even. And he was starting to believe that Lavinia was right. That he wasn’t a monster, after all.

“So, I hear your sister’s mystery man is real, after all,” he said, reaching for Lavinia’s hand. “I’m very happy to hear it.”

“As am I,” Lavinia agreed, rolling her eyes. “I look forward to meeting him. Rebecca says that Father is not exactly joyous about the match, but he is allowing it.”

As she mentioned her father, Arthur noted a slight change in Lavinia’s behavior, and he squeezed her fingers gently.

“Are you nervous about seeing your father this evening?” he asked. “He seemed more content with our marriage during his last visit. I believe he has let his disappointments go.”

“No.” Lavinia sighed, giving him a strained smile. “It’s not that. At least not entirely.”

She seemed to struggle with her thoughts for a moment, and she said nothing as a servant brought them their breakfast and tea. Finally, when he left, Lavinia spoke again.

“Rebecca wrote that Father has invited Lord Stonehames as his personal guest,” she confessed at last. “I am sorry, Arthur, but I assure you I had nothing to do with it.”

Arthur knew what she said was true, but he still felt the old stirring of darkness rise within at the mention of Timothy. He had had little research dug up on the man after the incident during Lavinia’s family’s first visit and had received some discomforting information. One piece in particular was about his wife, and how she always seemed to be coming down with some sort of ailment or other. Another piece was that Timothy often visited a chemist in the unsavory parts of London. Something was not right with the man. But he was to be his father-in-law’s guest, and he didn’t want Kenneth to be offended by Arthur turning Timothy out of the party.

“I know you didn’t,” Arthur assured Lavinia, letting go of her hand so she could break her fast. “I shall keep an eye on him, and if a situation arises, I will be sure to handle it with utmost discretion.”

Relief flooded Lavinia’s face as she thanked him, and he allowed her to change the subject.

“What plans have you before the party this evening?” she asked.

“You,” he stated, raising his eyebrow coyly as he smirked. Lavinia’s cheeks blushed as her smile widened, and he leaned in closer. “I know you are busy today with the final arrangements, but tonight will be long, and too many hours will pass before I get to taste that delicious body of yours again. Could you spare your husband an hour or two before our guests arrive?”

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