Val nodded, his heart thumping wildly. He could not remember ever feeling so nervous before. It was just an arranged marriage, and he had been forthcoming about that fact. So, why did he feel so jittery?
“Very well,” he said.
The Earl bent to kiss his daughter’s cheek. Then, he turned away from her, moving past Val and toward the door.
“Cecily wishes to have a word with you in private,” he said. He looked past Val to his daughter once more and smiled. “I shall be just outside, should you need me.”
Lady Cecily nodded, giving her father a fond gaze.
“Thank you, Father,” she said.
Once the Earl exited, Lady Cecily began making her way toward Val. He froze, wondering if he should take her hands or offer her his arm to help her. But he found himself mesmerized by the grace with which she moved, despite her diminished vision. He was also enthralled with her pale skin, her strawberry blond hair and her sparkling eyes.
“Please, relax,” she said as she reached him. “I can sense your tension, and I confess that it is making me nervous.”
Val’s mouth fell open, but he forced it closed again. She was intuitive and honest, as well as lovely and kind. He gave her a sheepish smile, wondering if she could see it.
“I apologize,” he said sincerely. “Thank you for personally responding to my proposal.”
She nodded, seeming to study him, even though he could see that her eyes were not focused. Was she trying to see him? Or was she trying to read him?
“Why do you want to marry me, Your Grace?” she asked.
Val gaped once again, floundering for what to say. Had her father not spoken with her about it being a marriage of convenience? He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying his best to relax. He did not want her to think that he had ill intentions. But nor did he want to be the first to tell her that he was asking for an arranged marriage.
“That is a fair question, my lady,” he said, vying for time. “I feel that you… that is, I think that I…” he paused, cursing himself viciously for stumbling over his words. He was a refined gentleman, yet he was babbling like a madman. “I believe that you and I have much in common.”
He waited to see if Lady Cecily would laugh at him for sounding like such a fool. She did not, however. Instead, she raised her eyebrows and looked at him with curiosity.
“Do you have difficulty with your sight, too?” she asked.
For the first time in his life, Val felt his palms become sweaty. Even when he tried interacting with high society after the accident, he had not felt so nervous. It occurred to him that some part of him cared what Lady Cecily thought of him. He knew he should be completely honest with her. She deserved it. But he didn’t know if he could bring himself to do that.
“No,” he said. “My sight is fine.” He paused, thinking it over once more. “However, I understand how it feels to be shunned by society. I share the same burden of the scorn inflicted by the ton that you do.”
Lady Cecily flinched at his mention of theton. Clearly, he was correct. Thetonhad been just as cruel and hurtful to her as they had to him.He felt a surprising surge of anger. She did not deserve to suffer the pain he had suffered. It floored him that society could be cruel to someone who was so beautiful, even if she did have a disability.
“Do not worry,” he said gently. “I promise that I will always take good care of you. You will never have to attend any events unless you are comfortable. And I will gladly allow you certain freedoms. You need only ask if there is ever anything you want or need. I give you my word, Lady Cecily. I will provide for you, as a husband should.”
She looked at his face. Despite the fact that her eyes never focused, he felt sure that she was trying her best to search for his expression. Even though she could not see him, he gazed at her with genuine eyes and a warm smile.
Strangely, the look she gave him in return was almost as if she had seen his face, after all. The previous tension melted from her expression, and she returned his smile. She extended her hand to him. It was a formal gesture, but it made Val’s heart skip a beat.
“Very well, Your Grace,” she said matter-of-factly. “We have a deal.”
Val took her hand in his and he was instantly breathless. Though Lady Cecily wore gloves, the touch of her hand sent thrills of awareness all throughout him. He was surprised at how relieved and glad he was that she had accepted. He became more determined than ever to keep his promises to her.
He also thought again that they could indeed become good friends. Perhaps, when she did find out about his scars, she would understand why he didn’t tell her. He hoped that would be the case. He was acutely aware that he would never want to do something to make her dislike him. He liked her way too much to take that risk.
He studied her face as they shook hands. She truly was the definition of beauty. Though she was blind, there was no cloudiness in her azure blue eyes. There was a wisp of her strawberry-blond hair dangling beside her mouth, and he had to fight the urge to brush it away. He could stare at her forever. And now, he would get to do precisely that.
Chapter Fourteen
Cecily felt heat penetrate through her glove as she shook the Duke’s hand. She noticed tingles at the base of her spine and marveled at the sensation. She also wondered at the disappointment she felt when His Grace released her hand. She gave him an uncertain smile as her mind tried to make sense of what had just happened. Had she just become engaged? To a duke, no less?
“I would like to return to the countryside after our wedding,” the Duke said. “And, if you agree, I can arrange for us to be married by special license. That would mean that we would be married and living in my country seat in three days’ time. I do not wish to make you feel pressured, so please, let me know if you object.”
Cecily thought about what the Duke had just said. She understood well that marriages granted by special license were usually perceived as scandalous. But then, a marriage between a blind earl’s daughter and a duke with physical blemishes would be gossip enough already. Obtaining a special license to marry would hardly be the pinnacle of theton’sgossip.
