Page 30 of The Uncouth Duke of Longford
The Duke let out a slow breath and then, much to Rachel’s surprise, smiled broadly. “Even hearing those words from your lips has given me a great encouragement,” he told her, making Rachel smile back at him. “It has been difficult these last few years, knowing what I do about my father though they are only suspicions, I admit. Lord Wrexham has known of it but now… now it seems a good deal weightier.”
“That is because itisweightier,” she answered, gently. “You may be in danger. In truth, Your Grace, I believe that this confirms your concerns over your father.”
“You do?”
Rachel nodded, pulling herself a little closer to him. “I believe that if this person is attempting to injure you, then there is every reason to believe that this same person did as you suspect as regards your father. There must be some correlation.”
With another look towards her, the Duke blew out a long, slow breath and then nodded. “I find that I agree with you in that, Miss Grifford. Though… ” Frowning, he looked away fromher and then looked back again. “I think I must ask you for another favour, however. I must ask you if you are able to accept my courtship.”
Shock rifled up Rachel’s spine as she turned her head and gazed up into the Duke’s eyes, seeing his steady gaze. She took in a long breath, holding it tight in her chest for a moment before releasing it. “You desire to court me?”
“Yes.”
Her heart glowed.
“But only because we will not be able to talk in this manner unless we present ourselves to thetonas a courting couple,” he continued, shattering the heat which had built up in her heart. “It will be difficult, I understand, but Lord Wrexham has made it quite clear to me that this is the only way that such a thing can take place. We will not be able to talk together otherwise.”
Rachel swallowed hard and then nodded slowly. “I see what you mean,” she answered, even though her warm happiness had been quickly replaced with a cold disappointment. “Though you must see that other gentlemen will no longer be able to consider me if that should happen. You are asking a great deal of me, Your Grace. I presume the courtship will have to come to an end once certain things are discovered or revealed?”
The Duke nodded. “Though I shall permit you to decide whether you are the one who ends our courtship or
I should do so,” he said, smiling as though he were offering her a great and valuable gift. “I think that would be fair.”
Rachel wanted to say yes, the words were on the very tip of her tongue but she could not bring herself to do so. Though she understood why the Duke was suggesting this, though she agreed that it was the only way that society would permit them to be a little closer in company, she found herself hesitating for the sake of her own heart. To agree, to accept would mean that she would be pulled away from any potential happiness withany other gentleman and the ending of their courtship would be another difficulty also.
“Might I think on it?”
The Duke’s eyebrows lifted in evident surprise at her request but, clearing his throat, he nodded. “Yes, of course. I understand that it is something of a consideration.”
“It is,” Rachel admitted, quietly. “You understand that it is not because I do not wish to be of aid to you or that I desire to step back from what I offered. Rather, it is because I must consider my own standing in society.”
“Of course.” The Duke managed a smile but it did not light his eyes. “I quite understand, Miss Grifford. Whatever you decide, I will be happy to accept.”
Rachel smiled back at him and then looked away again, an uneasy silence growing between them. She was not certain what else to say, wondering if the Duke of Longford had expected her to agree without hesitation. There was much for her to consider and, truth be told, Rachel was entirely unsure as to what the right decision would be.
Her heart was crying out for her to say yes, to permit the Duke of Longford to court her but her mind was fighting back, reminding her that she would be ill considered by thetonshould she do so and their courtship came to an end. To have feelings for the Duke of Longford was entirely unsuitable and yet, her heart would not pretend otherwise. She wanted to be closer to the Duke of Longford, wanted to draw near to him and to have his full attention… but at what cost?
***
“Good evening, Miss Grifford.”
Rachel turned her head and smiled as Lord Wrexham came towards her. “Good evening, Lord Wrexham. I do hope you are enjoying the soiree?”
He nodded. “I am. Though I am disappointed there is no dancing this evening.”
Rachel smiled gently. “Lord Chiddick expressed the very same thing,” she replied, making Lord Wrexham’s eyebrows lift. “He was speaking with me only a short while ago.”
“Then he and I feel the very same way,” Lord Wrexham replied, with a smile. “I prefer a ball rather than a soiree, I must admit. But soirees do give greater opportunity for conversation, I suppose.”
“That is true,” Rachel smiled, only for Lord Wrexham to glance to one side and then to the next before stepping closer and then much to Rachel’s surprise, taking a small step closer. Her mother, father and sister were already stepped away from her – her mother and Bettina only a few steps away, however – but Lord Wrexham was clearly eager to talk to her privately.
“I hear you spoke with the Duke yesterday.”
Rachel nodded, surprise catching her as she did so.
“Please do not think me forward, but I wanted very much to speak with you about the matter myself,” Lord Wrexham continued, his voice a little lower now as she looked back at him. “As you may be aware, the Duke of Longford has brought me into his confidence as regards the matter with his father and also as regards the note he received of late.”
Rachel nodded. “Yes, he informed of that.”
