Page 30 of Duke of Myste
What was clear was that tomorrow would bring the true beginning of their new life together—a prospect that, surprisingly, no longer filled her with the dread it once had.
CHAPTER 10
“Itrust you slept well,?” Richard inquired as Jane entered the breakfast room, his tone formal yet carrying a hint of genuine interest.
Jane paused briefly in the doorway, taking in the sight of her new husband already seated at the table, correspondence laid out neatly beside his plate. The morning light streaming through tall windows illuminated the peaceful yellow walls of the breakfast room, creating an atmosphere that belied the tension she felt.
“Well enough, thank you,” she replied, moving toward the sideboard, where various dishes had been arranged with meticulous care.
She scooped up a modest portion of eggs and toast, conscious of his gaze following her movements.
“You look remarkably composed for someone whose life has changed drastically in such a short amount of time,” Richard observed, setting aside a letter he had been reading.
Jane arranged her skirts with practiced precision. “Composure is often a matter of necessity rather than choice, Your Grace.”
“Richard,” he reminded her gently. “As we agreed.”
“Richard,” she acknowledged, the single word hanging between them like a fragile bridge.
The gentle clink of silverware against china and the distant bustle of the servants were the only sounds that filled the silence between them.
Jane found herself studying her husband’s profile as he returned to his correspondence—the stern line of his jaw, the control evident in his every movement.
“I imagine we should discuss how we are to proceed,” she said finally, setting down her teacup with deliberate care.
Richard nodded, giving her his full attention. “Indeed. This is not how either of us envisioned our futures unfolding, I suspect.”
“You mean to say that not all little girls dream of finding themselves hastily married to men they barely know, for duty rather than affection?” Jane couldn’t keep the irony from her voice.
“A marriage of convenience, indeed,” Richard acknowledged. “Though perhaps not entirely lacking advantages to both parties.”
“Advantages?” Jane raised an eyebrow. “Do elaborate.”
Richard studied her for a moment, his hazel eyes assessing. “Beyond the obvious benefits of rank and protection that we both understand, you gain considerable access to resources most women can only dream of. Libraries, scholarly connections, the means to pursue your intellectual interests on a scale impossible for a viscount’s daughter.”
“And you?” Jane asked. “What do you gain from this arrangement?”
Richard considered her question for a moment, his expression guarded. “A partnership that serves both our interests,” he said carefully. “You require the protection of my name and position. I require…” he paused, seeming to weigh his words. “A wife who can navigate society as my duchess and fulfill the expectations that come with the role.”Jane felt the color rise to her cheeks, though whether from anger or embarrassment, she couldn’t be certain. “How efficiently summarized. A beneficial transaction, neatly packaged in wedding vows and legalities.”
“Is that not precisely what this is?” Richard countered.
“What of the mutual respect you spoke of in the carriage?” Jane asked, remembering his words from the previous day.
A flicker of something—perhaps surprise that she recalled his exact words—crossed Richard’s features.
“Respect remains essential,” he relented. “But it must exist within certain boundaries. For our marriage to function properly, there are expectations that must be met.”
“By me, I presume,” Jane said coolly.
“By us both,” Richard corrected, though with less conviction than she might have hoped.
“And what might these expectations entail?”
Richard straightened slightly, his posture shifting to one of authority. “You should be diligent in your duties as the Duchess of Myste—overseeing the household, managing our social calendar, and representing our family with appropriate dignity. You should endeavor to pursue suitable activities —charitable endeavors, perhaps, or artistic accomplishments that reflect well on our position. You are not to engage with anything or anyone that could bring scandal upon the house of Myste.”
Jane watched him, her expression carefully neutral despite the growing frustration she felt. “And what of your duties in this arrangement? Beyond providing material advantages, what might I expect from you as a husband?”
The question seemed to catch Richard off guard. He paused, clearly searching for a response that had not been part of his rehearsed speech.
