Page 57 of Enslaved to the Seduction of a Lady
“Well, I…” the Duchess was flustered, her bejeweled hand reaching up and rubbing at her forehead, “he is… do you know, I’m not sure I entirely know all that well.”
“I think you do know,” Alison muttered, looking down at her half-eaten toast with a heavy heart. “I understand your reasoning for wanting us married, I really do. But it is me who will have to spend my life with him. Sitting next to him at dinner every night!
“He is perfectly pleasant to talk to,” the Duchess said finally, seeming to have regained her powers of thought. “And he seems kind enough. I do believe he will make a fine husband for you.”
“He has the means to look after you, Alison,” the Duke said, interrupting, “and that is extremely important.”
“I understand that,” she said, “but what of happiness?”
“Not this again,” the Duchess said, tutting and turning away, but Alison could see her cheeks flushing, even under the rouge.
“Happiness comes with time and hard work,” the Duke said. “It is not something you seek out, but something you create, together, in a marriage.”
“Do you believe that, too, Mama?” She did not take her eyes from her wavering mother.
“Of course I do,” the Duchess said, still looking to the ceiling. “Now enough of this nonsense.”
“And you, Papa? You truly believe that?”
The Duke bowed his head in agreeance, his chin creased as he nodded.
“I am certain of it, My Darling Girl.”
Alison didn’t agree. She didn’t agree even the slightest bit. She had already found happiness and love, and she knew without a doubt that it was that which formed the basis of a good marriage. Marriage doesn’t build love, but love builds marriage.
“All right,” she said, her voice cracking with the lie. “As you are so certain, and you are my guardians in everything I do, I shall trust your judgment. I will make an effort with the Earl this afternoon, and I will f… forget my f… folly.”
She stammered at the last words, her untruths not wanting to come out of her mouth, but she took a deep breath and willed herself to convince her parents otherwise. Alison knew she could do nothing that would risk losing Luke—even if that meant, for the time being, playing a game with the Earl of Belmont.
