Page 58 of A Bride for the Beastly Duke
William nodded. “Exactly so.” He picked up his teacup and resumed reading the paper. Edward watched him for a few more minutes, not knowing what to expect next, but then Notley put down his plate of food, and Edward began to dig into it.
He needed sustenance before he could think of a good excuse to give Ava for why he needed to go to London immediately. He hoped to be able to resolve this issue before too long so that he did not have to worry her with the details.
The Marquess of Pemberton was not at all what Ava had been expecting. For one thing, he was much older than Margaret or herself, somewhere in his late forties. He was as clean-shaven as Margaret claimed, and his eyes twinkled with a mischief that worried Ava. A man so much older and yet previously unmarried left her with many questions.
“Would you like some more milk in your tea?” his aunt asked, the kettle poised above Ava’s cup. Ava shook her head with a smile, “No thank you; I am fine.”
“I will take some more milk,” Margaret said, eager to please. Ava frowned even more. It was clear to her how much Margaret liked the Marquess. His feelings, however, were a lot murkier.
“So, My Lord, what was it that you were doing in the Continent?” Ava asked him pointedly.
He smirked, “I have property in the South of Spain where I like to spend my time. It truly is a beautiful place. I would like to invite you to come and spend the summer there when you are able.”
“That sounds lovely,” Margaret replied, starry-eyed. “Perhaps we can visit next summer with Mama and Papa.”
Ava narrowed her eyes at Margaret. “Maggie dearest, can I speak with you in private briefly?”
Margaret frowned at her, “Of course, Ava.” She turned to the Marquess with a smile. “If you would excuse us a moment?”
The Marquess put down his cup, “No, no. No need for that, my aunt and I will give you the room. Just ring the bell when you are done.” With that, he stood up, took his aunt’s arm, and walked out of the parlor.
Margaret rounded on Ava. “Ava! What are you doing?” she demanded.
“I am trying to stop you from walking into the lion’s den. Stop being so eager for his approval. He will take advantage of you.”
“Ava, stop it. Not every man is that beastly Aaron!” Her eyes widened, and she slapped her hand over her mouth. “I am sorry, I did not mean to say that.”
Ava felt as if she had been slapped. Her hands trembled, and she put down her teacup. “It is quite all right,” she said and was proud that her voice did not shake. She clasped her hands together, staring out the window, trying to compose herself.
“Ava? Do you forgive me?” Margaret asked in a small voice.
Ava shook her head. “There is nothing to forgive. Maybe you are right, and I am assuming that every man means ill. In any case, if you have chosen this man, I have no right to stand in your way.”
“No, no, no, please Ava, that is not what I meant. I know you are just trying to take care of me, and I want you to. You are right, I-I like him. I want him to like me, and maybe, I am overeager. You are right to pull me back from the edge. Thank you.” Margaret looked earnestly at her sister, and Ava knew that she was doing her very best to soothe any hard feelings she might have aroused in Ava. She was touched by the effort.
She smiled wryly, “One of the reasons why I wanted to get married was to giveyoua chance at finding love without the constraints of shame that hung over our family. But now, you have found someone you could love, and I amstillstanding in your way.”
“No, you are not. You are taking care of me, and I thank you for it.”
Ava gave a big sigh. “Let us ring the bell and call him back. But let us both promise to be more circumspect. No more over-eagerness on your part, less rudeness on mine. Let us have a pleasant afternoon.”
Margaret smiled. “Yes, please. Let’s do that.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Ihave to go to London,” Edward said to Ava once she had finished regaling him on her disastrous afternoon as a chaperone.
“What? Again? Why?” She gave him a delightful pout, and he had to kiss it away.
“I must submit my report to the Home Office. They will want to know what happened got the ball.”
Her eyes widened. “Surely you will not tell them about Mr. Winchester?”
“Of course, I will not. But all the more reason why I have to submit some kind of report. I cannot have them be suspicious of me.”
She let out an explosive breath. “I am afraid, Edward. What if, somehow, they know? What if they detain you?”
“They cannot do that. A war hero such as myself, a Duke no less, detained for what reason?”
