Page 6 of The Lady Who Said No to the Duke
‘I am always anxious to assist my godchildren in making the right choices,’ Lady Holme said, adopting a sanctimonious expression that did not deceive him for a moment.She was up to mischief.‘I consider that dear Thea would make an excellent duchess, do you not agree?’
‘She would certainly make an unconventional one,’ Hal said drily.‘One can only hope the duke in question is up to it.’
* * *
Thea found her knees felt decidedly weak by the time she had followed the housekeeper up the stairs and along the corridor to the charming bedchamber she had been given.
The rush of excitement, the feeling of triumph at her escape and the relief at Godmama’s warm welcome ebbed away, leaving her oddly uncertain.
Had she done the right thing?That nice Mr Forrest hadcertainly not seemed shocked.Surprised, perhaps, which was understandable, but not horrified.But then she suspected that he was something of a flirt and was quite happy to enjoy the arrival of a pleasantly titillating scandal into his life.Godmama appeared to trust him completely, so she supposed she need not fear any gossip escaping.
She dragged her scattered thoughts together and replied pleasantly to Jennie’s enquiries about whether she would care to take a bath now, or closer to dinner time.The girl was clearly desperately anxious to do exactly the right thing and reassuring her helped Thea calm her own nerves.
Yes, she rather thought that a bath would be very pleasant.Jennie had already laid out her wrapper and slippers and had shaken out the one evening gown that was all Mama had thought necessary for her life in Harrogate.
Thea sank into the warm water, liberally laced with a fragrant oil, and gave a fleeting thought to what bath time at Cousin Elizabeth’s house would be like.Cold water would feature largely, she was certain—bracing, healthful and economical.
With a barely repressed shudder she turned her thoughts to pleasant, positive, things.She was safe, warm and comfortable, Godmama would be full of useful advice and Mr Forrest should be entertaining company.And she was a safe distance from London.Even if Papa set out the moment he knew where she was, she had sanctuary for at least three days.
Or Mama and Papa might wash their hands of her, she thought optimistically.After all, there was only so long that they could fob off the Duke with excuses about influenza.Besides, although she knew herself to be a very good match, she was not the only titled young lady for him to turn to.He would bestir himself to find someone else, thenshe could return to London, enjoy the Season and make her own choice of husband.If the right person crossed her path, of course.
What would the ideal husband be like?Thea wondered.She had never given it much thought before.She knew what she did not want when she encountered it, of course.The ideal husband would be intelligent, have a sense of humour that was subtle and kind, and would be pleasant to look at—she mistrusted very handsome men, they were usually too fond of themselves, in her experience.
He must be acceptable in good society, because she had no desire to find herself away from London and all its pleasures.Naturally he would be comfortably off, because she did not think she would be happy without her horses or wish to manage without domestic staff.She had no trust in the romantic idea that true love could flourish in a hovel as easily as a palace.At least, not when one of the couple was used to near-palatial surroundings.
For some reason her imagination provided her with a picture of that nice Mr Forrest again.He appeared to be intelligent, she had seen glimmers of amusement in those rather attractive grey eyes and he was certainly no hardship to look at.
His clothing was not quite perfection, she had noticed.Not this season’s and it looked more comfortable than immaculate.Clearly, one of Godmama’s godsons was not going to be anything but goodton, but he had no title—presumably he was the younger son of an earl or a viscount or someone further down the aristocratic tree—and not enough money to indulge in a fashionable new wardrobe for every season.
Papa would not countenance anyone who was not, at thevery least, heir to an earldom, and, with a duke in his sights, probably even a marquess would be considered inferior.
The soap slipped from her fingers and she chased it, splashing water as it slid under her feet.The bath was becoming cool, she realised when she had secured the soap.What she was doing thinking about a man she had only just met, with whom she had exchanged only a few sentences, she could not imagine.
What she should be concentrating on was her letter to her parents, somehow persuading them to let her remain with Godmama while she decided what to do.
Thea climbed out of the bath and was enveloped in large towels by Jennie, almost smothering her in her enthusiasm.‘Thank you, I can manage now.Perhaps you could fetch my wrapper and slippers.I have some letters to write before dinner.’
Dear Mama and Papa,
That was easy enough.It was the rest that was so very difficult.
I write to let you know that I am staying with Godmama at Holme Lacey House.I feel that her advice on my future will be more practical and constructive than that of Cousin Elizabeth as she has a wider knowledge and experience of society.She had invited me to stay for as long as I desire.
I am conscious that myescape change of plansdeviation from your instructions must have caused you anxiety and I sincerely regret it,but not as much as I would have regrbut I hope that this may help me seemore clearly how to plan my future in a way which I hope will meet with your approval.
With my best wishes to my brothers,
Your dutiful
‘Oh, that will not do…’
Your obedient
‘Neither will that!’
Your affectionate daughter,
Thea
