Page 18 of A Game with the Rakish Duke
“I am not acquainted with the current Viscount nor his sister,” the Dowager Duchess continued in a pensive tone. “However, it is an old, noble family. What is she like?”
“Clever,” Thomas replied, smiling slightly. “Spirited. Very beautiful.”
“Beauty fades,” his grandmother snapped, leaning on her walking stick, eying him intently. “However, cleverness and spirit last the distance. I am pleased that you have finally laid down the mantle of your bachelorhood, Thomas, but displeased that you never breathed a word about your intentions until now. I could have vetted the young lady more thoroughly. She will be the next Duchess of Newden, after all. She must be exceptional.”
“She is,” Thomas insisted, his heart skipping a beat. “I have never met a young lady like her. She runs rings around all the ladiesyouhave been parading in front of me, Grandmother.”
The Dowager Duchess pursed her lips. “It is slim pickings at the moment, Thomas!” She paused. “However, I have heard mention of Miss Audley’s independent spirit and charm as well as her great beauty. I have high expectations.” She narrowed her eyes. “Shall I receive an invitation to this wedding at all since I was the last to know about it?”
Thomas let out a bark of laughter. “Stop being so dramatic, Grandmother. Of course, you will receive an invitation.” He sighed.
The Dowager Duchess raised pained eyebrows. “She is not with child, is she? You have not been forced into this because you cannot control yourself?”
Thomas laughed again. “She is not compromised, Grandmother. We are both entering into this marriage freely.” He shifted on his feet. “I just thought I would act swiftly after our discussion yesterday. You convinced me that I needed to find a wife. You should be happy. This is what you have always wanted!”
“Of course, it is what I want,” the Dowager Duchess snapped, looking irritable. “The duchy needs an heir, and you are the only one who can provide one, my boy.” She exhaled. “But your bride must be suitable for the position and for you as well. Marriage is for life. An unhappy marriage can be the bane of one’s existence. Believe me, I know.” She snorted.
Thomas laughed. “You and Grandfather were crazy about each other. Do not tell me otherwise.”
“We respected each other,” the Dowager Duchess admitted, growing a bit misty-eyed. “And we did have much desire for one another when we were young, even if hediddrive me to distraction in his later years, the silly old fool.” She stared at him hard. “Do you love Miss Audley, then? This is a love match?”
Thomas squirmed uncomfortably. “You know my views on love,” he replied slowly. “Marriage does not require love. In fact, it is probably better if there is not much of it. Look what happened to Father.”
The Dowager Duchess looked pained. “Just because that happened to your father does not mean it will happen to you, Thomas. You should not reject the possibility entirely. I keep telling you…”
Thomas sighed. “You should just be happy that I am marrying at all, Grandmother. I am doing what you want for the sake of the duchy.” He felt a flash of irritation. “What more do you want from me?”
The Dowager Duchess sighed, but thankfully, she dropped the subject. He didn’t know how long he could stand her haranguing him that history wouldn’t repeat itself. He never liked talking about what happened with his parents at the best of times.
“Miss Audley and I have an understanding,” he continued slowly. “It is an arrangement that suits both of us, and neither of us is seeking love or romance. So do not worry, Grandmother, I am in no danger of breaking her heart.”
His grandmother looked a little sad, but then she nodded in a brisk manner. “Very good,” she said. “I am eager to meet her. And for the wedding day to arrive, of course.” Her eyes shone with pride. “You are doing the right thing, Thomas. You are doing your duty. Your father would be proud of you.”
Thomas turned away abruptly. He knew his father wouldn’t be proud of him at all. In fact, his father would be disappointed that he had finally succumbed to the pressure.
His heart clenched. He had promised his father that he would never marry and make himself vulnerable to history repeating itself.
I am sorry, Father. But this is different. It is a marriage of convenience. If my wife abandons me like your wife did, it will not break me like it broke you, for I shall never care so strongly. I vow it to you.
Chapter Nine
“Aweek?” Beatrice squeaked. “You are to be married within aweek?”
Catherine couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s reaction to the haste of her upcoming nuptials, even though she shared Beatrice’s reservations that it was all happening too quickly.
They were sitting in the parlor at Afferton House, her friend’s London residence, chatting over scones and tea. She had promised to update her friend about everything after the shock announcement this morning, after all.
“Yes, it is true,” Catherine replied, before popping a corner of a scone into her mouth. “I can barely believe it myself.”
“You only met him last night,” Beatrice breathed, staring at Catherine and shaking her head. “You always vowed that you would never marry. It is hard to take it all in, Cathy.”
“I never intended to marry,” Catherine agreed, her heart lurching. “And you know the reason why.” She exhaled slowly. “But these are extenuating circumstances, Bea. I already told you, the Duke has agreed to pay off the remainder of Oliver’s gambling debts. I did not win enough last night at the gambling hell to cover it all.”
“Oh, Cathy,” Beatrice sighed, biting her lip. “If only Oliver knew about the sacrifice you are making for him. It hardly seems fair.” She took a deep breath. “But I must say, the Duke of Newden isverycommanding and handsome. I can see now why you let him kiss you.”
“It will not happen again,” Catherine barked, a determined look in her eyes. “I will not allow it…”
Beatrice’s jaw dropped. “You will not allow him to kiss you again? But… you will bemarried, Cathy!”
