Page 27 of Forbidden Duke
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Donna’s stomach was full and her belly was slightly sore from laughing. Martina Oberlin was a one-woman comedian with her witty comments and overly dramatic reactions all while providing intelligent insight to Blackwell and Woodbridge Hall. She’d never had so much fun overlunch.
Blackwell led her toward the garden as his mother went in the other direction after they said goodbye. Once she was gone from sight, Donna told him, “Your mother is delightful. How did you, the man who rarely laughs, come from such an amusingwoman?”
He shook his head. “I had a father who straightened me out. Would you like to walk the grounds and get some exercise afterlunch?”
They’d eaten a gourmet meal of mushrooms, chicken and creamy pasta. “Sounds lovely.” She looped her arm in the crook of his elbow and gazed all around her. The green lawn went as far as the eyes could see with a clear path surrounded by trimmed trees. “Can you point out the dowager house your mother livesin?”
He motioned with his shoulder that it was in the other direction. “If that’s how you want to come back, we can. I wanted to show you the pond, which is probably my favorite spot besides thestables.”
She had no idea how nobility worked, not really. All she knew was in the historical books she’d read but none of that was very modern and she doubted there was a book that would tell her what marrying Blackwell might entail. She stayed beside him on the smooth dirt trail and focused on what he’d just said. Right, stables. He wanted to show her his horses. She patted her backside. “I can’t wait for my firstlesson.”
His brow lifted. “Really?”
“Maybe.” She imagined him mounted on a huge brown horse with muscular thighs as he showed her how to ride. He was already larger than life, and on a horse, he’d be thatcowboy.
They made it to the section where the trail split, and he motioned for them to go right. “This way. We’ll take the frontpath.”
Flowers surrounded every tree in a circle and the emerald lawn was cut perfectly even. “The gardens are beautiful. Miami is so hot that the only time you can go for a walk is in the evening, but where I live, I pass condo complexes, nottrees.”
He shrugged and kept his gaze straight ahead. “On our farm, we grew fields of wheat so I miss the smell of freshly turned soil. Here everything is designed for visual stimulation instead of foodharvesting.”
The large gardens had definitely been designed but the results were relaxing and peaceful. “I wouldn’t know what to do with myself on a farm. In the city, there are always people around, even when you don’t wantthem.”
He slowed his pace. “It is just a short drive from here to any shopping or entertainment you mightneed.”
Blackwell wanted to show her that she’d fit into his world. She patted his shoulder. “The village I stayed in that first night was very close to town. I’m not worried about being lonelyhere.”
“Good.”
They made it to the pond, which was much larger than she’d anticipated. It even had a small boathouse and a pier. Blackwell stopped near the path. “Let me talk to the boat master to get us a row boat. Give me twominutes.”
She looked around and saw a black metal bench situated beneath a shady tree where someone might read for hours without being disturbed. She smiled. “I’ll wait on thisbench.”
“I’ll be right back.” He strode toward the boat house. She took a seat, closed her eyes and visualized sitting here with a book in her hand while she smelled a pinkpeony.
If she married Blackwell, she could read here everyday.
A twig broke on the path and Donna opened her eyes. It was too soon for Blackwell to return. A young blonde with an elaborate updo, in a pale peach swing skirt with matching shirt and cardigan, complete with a string of pearls, walkedcloser.
Donna tugged on her t-shirt and tucked it in behind her as the woman approached. “Hello?”
“Oh, hello. Are you a guest of Oberlin’s?” The woman stopped in front of her and her bright confident smile told Donna that she’d been born into thisworld.
She held out her hand, nails classic with a French manicure, and offered to shake. Donna did and said, “I am. I’m DonnaSmith.”
The handshake ended but the sheer brilliance of the woman surrounded them. “Lovely to meet you, Donna. I’m Chelsea Bright, possibly the next Duchess ofOakley.”
Donna’s heart nearly stopped. Blackwell had clearly chosen a woman far more suitable than Donna. Chelsea would know how his life was supposed to work here and could be a reliable partner. Donna could hardly breathe. “Possibly?”
Chelsea’s cheeks had a slight blush. “Yes, Oberlin has asked for myhand.”
There was no way Donna would ever be so gracious and Blackwell had a better option in the classy blonde. It would be better for both of them if she just disappeared and left. Right now. Her stomach twisted and her heart felt cold. Why had he lied? She swallowed and wondered if he’d gone around asking every woman he met to marry him before he turned thirty. How many potential brides were there? Her heart sped up at the thought and she held her hand to her throat. “Hedid?”
Chelsea’s eyes widened and she stepped backwards onto the path. “One of the maids said he was taking a walk toward the pond and I was hoping to catch up with him. I won’t take up any more of your time, Miss Smith. I hope you enjoy your stay here. I’ll send you an invitation to join our women’s group if your stay will be longer than a fewdays.”
“Thanks.” Donna had no intention of stickingaround.
