Page 86 of Lady for a Season
She nodded. “I look forward to meeting your bride, although I think I can guess who she might be.”
He looked down at her. “Thank you. I hope to welcome you as a guest here again, when you have secured your own love match.”
She took his arm. “I will hold you to that, Edward.”
He escorted her back to her parents with a bow, while they immediately dragged her to a private room to be told everything that had occurred.
It was time to go to Maggie. Edward called for Joseph while he opened the drawer of his desk and took out a small leather box. While Joseph helped him out of his boots and into shoes, Edward twitched with impatience. In only a few moments, his happiness would be secured.
There was a sharp knock at the door.
“Enter,” called Edward, but the door was already open, his mother framed in the doorway.
“I need to speak with you. Joseph, you may leave.”
“Please do not command my servants when I am in the room,” said Edward. “I will dismiss my valet when I see fit.”
The Duchess’ eyes opened wide in shock.
Joseph looked at Edward.
“Thank you, Joseph, you may leave us,” said Edward with exaggerated courtesy.
As soon as the door closed the Duchess made her way across the room. “You need to propose.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Do not play the fool with me, Edward. You know full well that tomorrow’s ball is planned as an engagement celebration. Therefore, you need to propose. Now. All our guests are expecting it. Lord and Lady Godwin are expecting it.”
“I cannot propose to Miss Belmont.”
“What on earth are you talking about?”
“I do not love her.”
“Love is not necessary.”
“Perhaps not to you. It is to me.”
The Duchess fixed him with an icy glare. Edward met her gaze squarely. To his surprise, the conversation he had been dreading was turning out to be almost a thrill. The relief of speaking his mind, ofknowinghis mind and being certain of it, of feeling confident in the choices he was making, was like sunshine streaming in through him, the warmth of it deep within him. “Iabsolutely will not live my future life without love. Too much of my past has been spent without it to forgo it any longer.”
“And whom do you propose to marry?”
Edward smiled. “That is none of your business.”
“It is most certainly my business, I –”
Edward held up one hand and the Duchess, shocked, fell silent. “I am the Duke of Buckingham. I am of age. My choice of wife is not your business, Mama. I have done you the courtesy of informing you that I will not be marrying Miss Belmont and I have explained this to her also. I will inform you of my bride-to-be’s name when she has accepted me.”
He made to leave the room, but she spoke. “It had better not be Margaret.”
He turned and surveyed her with a cold expression. “And why is that, Mama? Be careful how you respond.”
“She has already gone.”
“Gone? Gone where?”
“I do not know.”
