Page 41 of A Bargain with the Rakish Duke
Lady Bernmere raised an eyebrow, undeterred by his grim tone. “Oh, come now, dear. I didn’t mean to upset you. It’s just that you two make such a lovely couple. Surely, there must be some joy on the horizon?”
Kenneth felt a flare of irritation but forced himself to remain calm. “Aunt Marjorie, we appreciate your enthusiasm, but we’re taking things one step at a time.”
Lady Bernmere’s eyes sparkled with humor. “I suppose I’ll just have to be patient, then. But do keep in mind, time waits for no one, not even a duke and duchess.”
Kenneth’s jaw clenched, his patience wearing thin. “As I said, we’ve been married for only a few weeks. There will be plenty of time for… happy news.” He stood up abruptly, the sudden movement causing his chair to scrape loudly across the floor. “I have a lot of work to do,” he said, his voice a touch sharper than he intended.
Without waiting for a response, he strode out of the room, feeling the sharp tension forming between his shoulders.
As he made his way down the corridor. The encounter had left him unsettled, the ghosts of his parents’ troubled marriage lingering in his mind.
He reached his study and closed the door behind him, seeking refuge in the solitude of his work. The estate’s ledgers and reports awaited him, offering a welcome distraction from his inner turmoil.
Beatrice watched Kenneth stride out of the room, his tension palpable. She turned to Lady Bernmere, her cheeks tinged with embarrassment. “I apologize for Kenneth’s behavior. He can be quite… brusque.”
Lady Bernmere waved her hand dismissively. “It’s no matter, my dear. I know my nephew well. I shouldn’t have brought up his parents.”
Beatrice hesitated, her curiosity getting the better of her. “If you don’t mind my asking, what happened to his parents? Kenneth never speaks of them.”
Lady Bernmere’s expression softened. “It’s a long and rather tragic story. The late Duchess died when he was only four years old. After Kenneth, she had a difficult pregnancy and suffered astillbirth. The loss was too much for her, and she passed away shortly after.”
Beatrice felt a pang of sympathy. “That must have been devastating for Kenneth.”
“It was.” Lady Bernmere nodded. “The late Duke was never the same after that. He fell into a life of excess—gambling, mistresses, and lavish parties.”
Beatrice’s heart ached for Kenneth. She had glimpsed the pain in his eyes, but hearing about his past made it all the more real. “And after his father’s death?”
Lady Bernmere’s gaze grew distant. “Kenneth inherited the title and the estate. He was determined to restore the family’s honor, but it hasn’t been easy. The estate was in disarray, and he had to deal with the aftermath of his father’s misdeeds.”
Beatrice leaned forward, her curiosity deepening. “What happened then?”
Lady Bernmere paused, a thoughtful look on her face. “There are some things that are best left for Kenneth to tell you himself, my dear. It’s his story to share when he’s ready.”
Beatrice nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. She felt a deeper connection to Kenneth, a desire to understand him better.
That night, the dining hall of Dunford Castle felt unusually tense. Beatrice took her seat next to Kenneth, their first time dining together as a married couple in this grand room.
Lady Bernmere’s presence added an extra layer of formality, yet her demeanor was light and cheerful, contrasting sharply with the undercurrent of tension between the newlyweds.
As the first course was served, Lady Bernmere began to prattle on about children. “You know, you two should start thinking about names for your children. It’s never too early, after all.”
Beatrice tried the polite approach, forcing a smile. “We haven’t really thought about it yet, Lady Bernmere.”
Lady Bernmere, however, was not so easily deterred. “Oh, but you must! Names are so important. For a boy, perhaps something strong like Edward or Henry, and for a girl, something elegant like Isabella or Charlotte.”
Kenneth’s jaw tightened, and he set his fork down with a little too much force. “When my child is born,Iwill pick the names, and there will be no further discussion about that. He will have a strong name like Horatio Fitzwilliam Spencer or perhaps Jonathan Goodfellow?—”
Beatrice interrupted him, her eyes flashing with defiance. “We will pick the names. Together.”
Kenneth’s gaze narrowed. “My heir is my concern.”
“If I have to carry him for nine months and then give birth to him, it very much is my concern too,” Beatrice shot back. “You cannot mean to make all the decisions about our child alone. Besides, I might give birth to a girl first anyway.”
Lady Bernmere looked between them, her expression one of mild concern mixed with amusement.
Kenneth took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure. “I think it’s best we move on to another topic.”
Lady Bernmere, sensing the tension, began discussing the latest gossip from London.
