Page 20 of From Duke Till Dawn
Ellingsworth’s eyes were round with shock. “It’s not an insult,” he managed to gasp. “It’s realism.”
“She’d never sell herself that way.”
His friend struggled to pry Alex’s fingers from the silk around his neck. “Have a care. My valet will pillory me if I return to him with a destroyed neckcloth.”
Alex released Ellingsworth with a shove. The younger man stumbled back before regaining his balance.
“Women have few ways of making their way in this awful world,” Ellingsworth said, trying to smooth out the mass of wrinkles at his throat. “We don’t let them use their brains, so the only resource they have is their bodies. It’s a bloody shame, but it’s the way of things.”
“There are other ways to help her besides paying for her bed,” Alex muttered.
“Like what?” Ellingsworth pressed. “The only other option you have is marriage, and that’s an utter impossibility.”
The word itself—marriage—struck Alex like cannon fire hitting a fortification. He steadied himself.
It was absurd. Impossible, as Ellingsworth said.
But was it...?
Ellingsworth stared at him. “You can’t possibly be thinking of taking Mrs. Blair as yourwife.”
Almost at once, Alex wanted to deny it. Yet the thought kept returning to him again and again like a bee revisiting a flower. What if he did marry Cassandra? She would have his protection, histrueprotection. She would be elevated in the eyes of Society and never want for anything again. No more work as a lady’s companion, no more smoke-filled gaming hells. They would fall asleep together at night and rise together in the morning. And they would never have to be apart. They could be seen in public without scandal.
She could give him children. Perhaps even love. Alex and Cassandra would live out their lives, side by side.
He felt something strange and shining unfolding within him. Happiness. Genuine joy.
Hell,he thought.I’ve gone wild.
Ellingsworth gaped at him. “If you want to permanently tie your name to someone, her breeding has to be impeccable. Society expects nothing less.” He shook his head. “Precisely the reason why Iwon’tbe taking a wife. I’m a third son. Nobody cares who I marry, no family name relies on me.”
“But you can dole out advice to me like a costermonger selling me a pear,” Alex answered drily. “You can’t even keep a mistress for more than a few months without losing interest in her.”
His friend dismissed the idea with a sniff. “That signifies nothing. You, my dearest Greyland, are a different kettle of sheep.”
“Don’t you mean kettle of fish? Or sheep of a different fold?”
Ellingsworth shooed the thought aside. “What matters is that you’re in a very different position from me. From the rest of the country. You’re a pillar of England, et cetera. You haveobligations.”
Alex’s anger renewed itself in an acidic wave. “Whyshouldn’tI marry someone I have feelings for, regardless of who her father is? She has feelings forme.” He drew himself up, heedless of the towels in his hand. “I’m a bloody duke. I can do whatever the hell I please.”
Color drained from Ellingsworth’s face. “So you’re actually thinking of marrying the widow from Cheltenham.” He sputtered. “She brings nothing to the table. No alliances, no money. Nothing.”
“She brings herself,” Alex angrily corrected.
Everything within him blazed to life. The thought was absurd, preposterous. And yet marrying Cassandra felt right. They cared about each other. They had mutual desire and passion. And she was from a good family, even if they weren’t listed in the Domesday Book. He’d have a greater chance of happiness with Cassandra than Lady Emmeline. And he would make it his life’s work to ensure Cassandra was very, very happy.
There was a prospect of love. He had to seize that possibility while he could, for it might never come his way again.
To hell with what his father had decreed. The late duke couldn’t rule Alex from beyond the grave. This was Alex’slife.
“All my years,” he ground out, “I’ve played by the rules. Done exactly what was expected of me. Acted the dutiful heir, listening to everything my father told me. What did I get for my troubles? Jilted by Lady Emmeline. But this time... this time, I’m going to go after whatIdesire.”
“I... I...” Ellingsworth blinked. He fell silent. Then, “If this is what you truly want—”
“It is.” He’d never felt more certain of anything.
“And what of Lady Emmeline?”
