Page 41 of Her Beastly Duke
“I owe you, brother. Send him up.”
Baxter left, and Julius knew that this was the time. Everything that he wanted rested on this moment, and he could not cock it up. There would be no second chance.
Otis let Palmer into the room and he stood silent.
“I know you have cause to be angry with me, Palmer, but hear me out. Please have a seat.”
Duncan hesitated and then sat in the armchair. “I am short of time, Fenton.”
“I will get straight to it. I owe Briar and your family an apology. I never intended to cause her pain, and I know she would have been upset by the gossip rags. That night, when I came to see Briar, I was actually going to ask her if she would have me.”
“And you thought that would be the best way to go about it?”
“It was impulsive and foolish. I am not proud of it. I truly love Briar, and I want her to be my wife. I started falling in love with her at Berkely Estate, and I closed my mind to it to fulfill some useless tradition that would not make me happy. Briar makes me happy, and I want her in my life. Lord Carter has made an offer for her, and all that I am suggesting is that you ask Briar who she will have. I was the one who caused this scandal, but she will be under my protection when she becomes my wife.”
Duncan’s eyes bored into him. “Are you certain that Briar shares your affection?”
“We have not had a chance to discuss it. I believe she is fond of me, and if she does not love me, she will grow to.”
“I cannot make any promises. I will discuss it with Briar and my mother and let you know the outcome.”
“Thank you.”
Lord Carter would not need to continue with a duel if Briar accepted his proposal. What was he to do if she did not?
Briar walkedaround the townhouse garden, wishing she could return to Walcot Hall. Lord Carter sent her roses this morning,but she did not care for them. With a sigh of resignation, she sat on a bench in the shade of the tall hedge. She would have been quite happy if the roses had come from Julius. She heard the footsteps on the pathway before Duncan appeared and sat on the bench opposite her.
“Good morning, Briar. We missed you at breakfast.”
“Good morning, Duncan. I was not hungry.”
“I have some news.”
“I hope it will be good news for a change.”
“I have had a change of heart about allowing you to see the duke. He has been persistent, and Mama and I agreed we should pay him a visit.”
Briar jumped up from the bench and kissed Duncan on his cheeks. “Thank you, brother.”
“We will be accompanying you and have dinner there.”
“Well, in that case, I need to prepare myself.” Briar stood, and they both returned to the house.
She never got the chance to tell Julius what he meant to her and Briar knew this would be her chance. As she climbed the stairs to her bedchamber, she felt a bit of fear and anxiety. What if she was wrong about what Julius meant to talk to her about that night? Did he still believe she was not good enough to be his duchess? What if he truly did not want to marry her, but the scandal forced his hand?
Marrying for family advantage was the norm in society. Julius’s family had always had duchesses from the right families with the right connections. It was fair to say that marrying for love was considered frivolous, selfish, and outright dangerous. Aristocratic families did not believe that mere physical attraction or infatuation was a strong foundation for a successful marriage. No. It was better to marry first and come to love one another afterward. And if love did not come, then a mancould find it elsewhere, with a mistress or a lover. Love was not something she had ever heard her parents speak about.
Briar was shocked to learn Lord Carter was still interested in marrying her when she had given herself to Julius, yet he was earnest in his devotion. Men did not choose to be with women whose affection was diverted elsewhere. She was in the hallway approaching her door when the maid called after her.
“You have a visitor, Miss Walcot.”
“A visitor? I was not expecting anyone.”
“It is Lord Carter, Miss Walcot.”
Good heavens!Why was he here today of all the days? Briar searched her memory and she did not recall any plans to see Lord Carter today.
“Very well.” Briar descended the stairs and followed the maid into the drawing room. The maid took a seat in the far corner of the room.
