Page 15 of Duke of Myste
“Indeed,” Jane agreed. “Though I cannot help but wonder whether constant opposition truly serves either of our interests at present.”
Richard arched an eyebrow. “Are you proposing a truce, Miss Brandon?”
“Perhaps a strategic alliance,” Jane corrected. “At least for the duration of our public appearances.”
“That is a rather fascinating prospect,” Richard remarked, studying her with unexpected intensity. “And what would the terms of this alliance entail?”
Jane considered the question as they continued walking, acutely aware of the watchful eyes that followed their progress through the park.
The ton’s fascination with their unexpected courtship showed no signs of diminishing. If anything, their appearance together today had only intensified the curious stares and hushed whispers that tracked their movements.
“I propose we each select three topics of conversation where disagreement is prohibited,” she finally suggested. “Three neutral territories where we might engage without arguing.”
Richard’s expression registered surprise before returning to its usual composed state. “An intriguing suggestion. And these territories would be of our own choosing?”
“With mutual approval,” Jane stipulated. “I have no desire to spend the remainder of our courtship discussing hunting or horse breeding simply because you declare them conflict-free zones.”
“And I have equal reservations about extended discourses on radical political philosophy,” Richard countered, though without the usual disapproving tone.
A particularly boisterous group of young lords passed nearby, their openly curious stares and poorly disguised whispers reminding Jane of their purpose in undertaking this public parade in the first place.
The entire exercise was meant to present a united front to Society, to transform their scandalous beginning into a conventional courtship that would eventually culminate in a respectable marriage. Their continuous bickering hardly advanced this goal.
“Perhaps we should begin immediately,” Jane suggested. “I propose gardens as my first neutral territory.”
Richard considered this, his expression thoughtful. “An acceptable choice. My sister would certainly approve. Do you know she has strong opinions on landscape design that have transformed several sections of our estate?”
“Harriet gardens?” Jane asked, genuine curiosity momentarily overcoming her defensive stance. “Diana would be delighted to know of another young lady with serious horticultural interests.”
“I would hesitate to call Harriet’s approach ‘serious’ in the scholarly sense your sister might employ,” Richard clarified, fondness creeping into his voice. “Her designs tend toward the… unconventional. Our head gardener has aged considerably since she began implementing her vision.”
Jane found herself smiling at the image this conjured—a female version of Richard wreaking havoc on carefully maintained grounds.
“I should very much like to meet her,” she said without thinking.
Richard glanced down at her, that same unreadable intensity in his gaze. “You will, should our arrangement proceed to its expected conclusion.”
The reminder of their situation fell between them like a stone, disrupting the momentary ease they had achieved. Jane withdrew slightly, though her hand remained properly placed on his arm, the physical connection at odds with the emotional distance that had reasserted itself.
“Yes, of course,” she acknowledged, her tone cooling. “Though I imagine Harriet might not be entirely pleased to find her brother shackled to a woman of such questionable principles.”
Richard’s posture stiffened, the brief rapport they had established evaporating like morning dew before a harsh sun. “On the contrary, Miss Brandon. My sister would likely consider you a welcome ally in her continuous campaign to disrupt my carefully ordered existence.”
The words might have sounded teasing from another man, but Richard’s delivery held an edge that suggested genuine grievance.
Jane bristled in response, her defenses rising once more.
“How fortunate that I might servesomepurpose in your household beyond merely providing an heir to your precious dukedom,” she retorted, her voice sharp despite her attempt to maintain a pleasant expression for the benefit of onlookers.
Richard guided her toward a less populated section of the path, his face set in the stern lines she had come to associate with barely controlled frustration. His voice dropped to ensure privacy, though its intensity remained undiminished.
“Is that truly your understanding of marriage, Miss Brandon? A Transaction where one party exists solely to serve the other’s needs?”
“Is that not precisely how Society structures the institution?” Jane countered, abandoning all pretense of pleasant conversation now that they had achieved temporary seclusion. “Women relinquish independence, property, and legal standing,all in exchange for protection and security. The arrangement seems decidedly one-sided, from my perspective.”
Richard’s expression darkened further. “A cynic’s interpretation that ignores the possibility of mutual respect and shared purpose.”
“Mutual respect requires equality, Your Grace. A condition notably absent from legal and social constructs surrounding matrimony.”
