Page 16 of Married to the Icy Duke
Charlotte shook her head. “You’re kind, brother, but it’s high time that I took my destiny into my own hands. So, I shall marry the duke.”
“Excellent,” the duke said, sounding amused. “Although if we are engaged, you had better call me Isaac. Well, I can think of nothing else to discuss, so I shall take my leave. My steward will be in touch to iron out the details. Good day to you all, and I daresay I’ll see you at the wedding.”
He bowed at Thalia, grinned at Gabriel, and nodded at Charlotte. Then, just like that, he strode out of the room and down the hallway, leaving the three of them in bewildered silence.
Charlotte didn’t know what made her run after him. She only knew that an instant after he had left, she found herself scurrying along the echoing hallway, doing her best to avoid tripping on her skirts.
He’d already reached the door and was receiving his hat and cane from the footman.
“Wait!” Charlotte cried. “You can’t possibly expect to simply walk away and not see me at all until ourwedding day.”
He paused, turning to face her, and grinned. “Can’t I? I wasn’t aware you were so keen to get to know me better, my dear.”
She flushed. “It’s notthat. But if we are going to get married, even if it’s a matter of convenience, then we ought to learn a little more about each other, don’t you think?”
She could hear quiet footsteps following her along the hallway. They were too soft to be Gabriel’s, so she imagined that Thalia had come out after her. She was glad that it wasn’t Gabriel.Hewould have a great deal to say.
The duke—Isaac—stared down at her with curiosity, never once dragging his gaze away from her face. Charlotte felt herself begin to redden at his scrutiny.
“Very well,” he said bluntly, placing his hat squarely on his head. Rough black curls jutted out from underneath the brim. “The wedding will take place in one week. I shall take care of the preparations. In the meantime, if you truly do wish to get to know me better—and my nephew—then I shall invite you to Arkley Hall. Bring a chaperone, and I shall be your host. What do you say to that?”
The footsteps continued approaching, but nobody spoke. It was certainly Thalia, then. Gabriel would not have been able to stay quiet for so long.
“I accept,” Charlotte said at last.
What am I doing? What am I accepting?
Have I made a very great mistake?
Once the engagement was publicly known, she would not be able to withdraw from it without ruining her reputation further.
What have I to lose, then?
“Very good. Come when you like, then,” Isaac said shortly. He flashed a quick grin, which made Charlotte feel decidedly strange inside, and turned to leave. Seconds later, he was gone. Through the open door, Charlotte caught a glimpse of him shooting past on horseback. It was odd to see a gentleman choose horseback instead of a more fashionable carriage.
Footsteps approached, and Thalia came to stand beside her sister-in-law.
“This isn’t ordinary, is it?” Charlotte found herself saying.
Thalia shook her head. “No, I think not. Well, you had better start packing, hadn’t you?”
Charlotte clenched her jaw, lifting her chin. “I suppose so. If he wishes to be my host, I’ll be his guest. If I am going to be his wife, I cannot act like a scandalized child, can I?”
Thalia gave a wry smile, placing a hand on Charlotte’s shoulder.
“You should be careful not to underestimate him, my dear.”
Charlotte sniffed. “Well,heshould not underestimateme.”
CHAPTER 6
It seemed proper to check in on the nursery before leaving, so Isaac did just that.
He had informed the butler and the housekeeper that they would soon be entertaining an illustrious female guest—a Lady, he’d warned them severely—and so they should prepare accordingly.
He hadn’t failed to notice the looks of dubious surprise flitting between Perling and Mrs. Ribb. No doubt they imagined that the ‘lady’ they were to host was nothing of the sort. An opera-dancer, perhaps, or some Parisian courtesan who Isaac had had shipped across the sea.
That was ridiculous, of course. He’d never sheltered a mistress in his house, certainly not with Thomas living here with him. It wasn’t proper for a child to be exposed to such things.
