Page 30 of An Arranged Betrothal with an Icy Duke
“It sounds as though you have the most wonderful aunt and uncle,” the Duke murmured, as they drew near to the front of the manor house. “They have clearly encouraged you in that regard.”
“Yes, and I am very grateful for that – and I am glad that my parents did not ever refuse me when I asked to go with my aunt. In fact, they encouraged it. I am glad for that.”
“That is good.” The Duke’s voice grew quiet. “My father was always very generous. It was he who taught me all that a Duke’s responsibilities ought to be. It is not only caring for the title, the estate and the family but also those who live around the estate. I do what I can for them though sometimes, it does seem very little.”
“I am sure that even the smallest thing you do for such people is greatly received and very much appreciated,” Edith answered, seeing the slight frown on the Duke’s face fade. “I know that even reading a story to the children brings them a great deal of happiness even though for myself, it is only a very small thing.”
“I suppose that is true.” He smiled and then reached across to pat her hand with his free one. The touch sent sparks straightthrough her, stealing her breath as she fought to keep her composure. “You are most encouraging, Edith. I thank you for that.”
Edith looked up at him as they came close to the manor house front door. “For myself, Your Grace, you cannot imagine my joy in knowing that you also feel the same way as I do about the orphanage, about those who are a good deal less fortunate. To see that this is something we share has truly overwhelmed me.”
He paused for a moment, looking down at her. “I must say that I feel the same,” he said, softly. “We have certainly begun to know each other a little better and I find myself grateful for that… even though I did not ever intend for us to be so.”
Turning to face him, her hand still on his arm, Edith looked up into his face, holding his gaze steadily. “Youcantrust me, Your Grace.”
The Duke blinked as though he had been a little surprised at her statement.
“I know that there has been a great pain caused in the past,” Edith continued, speaking a good deal more bluntly than she had first anticipated. “I understand that the burden which that caused you was great indeed and that is why you now look at me with such suspicion. However, I want to assure you now, as I have tried to do before, that I have no loyalty to anyone else. I have nointerestin anyone else and I can promise you that even though this match was made without even a word to me, I will keep my promises, make my vows and hold fast to them. I am not the sort of young lady who has no intention of turning away without consideration or thought so in that regard, Your Grace, youcantrust me.” She smiled softly, though a rush of sadness came into her heart as she saw how he frowned. “You may not believe me now, you may not even trust me in the near future but I hope, in time, that you will see that my words are true.”
The Duke let out a slow breath and then nodded, turning away from her and then beginning to walk up to the door. “I understand what you are trying to say to me, Edith,” he admitted, his gaze pulling away from hers, “but I cannot simply give my trust so easily. It is growing, slowly, but – ”
The door to the manor house opened for both the Duke and Edith to step inside and, as they did so, the words the Duke spoke were broken apart completely. He stopped short, his eyes flaring wide as he came to a dead stop, Edith standing beside him. She did not understand what the surprise could be, seeing only the Duchess and a gentleman and a lady she did not recognize standing together in the hallway.
The three of them turned as one to face the Duke and Edith sucked in a breath, seeing how the gentleman’s eyebrows knotted, his expression darkening.
“Brother,” he said, as the Duke tensed, his arm stiffening under Edith’s hand. “It has been some time but finally, I have returned to the family estate.”
“And why you have you done so?” the Duke asked, dropping Edith’s hand from his arm and taking a few steps closer, his hands now curling into fists by his side. “Whatever makes you think that you would be welcome here?”
Edith watched as the Duke’s brother, a gentleman whose title she did not yet know, turned to look at the Duchess and then, after a moment, shook his head.
“Mother wrote to me and insisted that we would be welcome at your house gathering,” he said, looking back at the Duke. “It appears now that she wrote without speaking directly to you and for that, I am sorry.”
“I did it because youbothneed to reconcile,” the Duchess stated firmly, coming closer to both of her sons as though she intended to step in between them, should the argument come to blows. “This is a foolishness which has gone on long enough!”
Edith made to turn away, thinking that this was a situation best left for the family to deal with alone, only for the Duke to call her name. Flushing hot, she turned back, coming close to him again as the Duke reached out to catch her hand in his.
“Miss Tidemore,” he grated, his tone dark and heavy. “Might I introduce to you my brother, the Marquess of Frankton, and to his wife, the Marchioness of Frankton?” He gestured to one after the other, his expression still angry, his brows so low over his eyes, there was nothing but shadow there. “They will not be staying long. In fact, I think it is probably best to bring the carriage around at once.” He looked to her, one eyebrow lifted. “Do you not think that would be best?”
Edith did not know what to say. How could she respond to such a question? Her face hot, she dropped her gaze and clasped her hands in front of her, refusing to give the Duke an answer. She could not. Not when she was entirely unaware of the relationship between the Duke and his brother… though from this interaction alone, she presumed it was a very tense relationship.
“You ought not to put your betrothed in such a position, brother.” The Marquess of Frankton folded his arms across his chest. “As I said, Mother wrote and invited us and I presumed that you yourself were eager to mend our relationship. After all, it has been many years since – ”
“I think this conversation ought to be continued in your study, away from the other guests.” The Duchess, taking a hold of the situation, spread out her hands. “It is unseemly to have it here in the hallway. Now come, Miss Tidemore, and you also, Lady Frankton. Let me show you to your room, Lady Frankton, and I am sure that you will also require a little rest, Miss Tidemore?”
Edith nodded, though much to her surprise, Lady Frankton did not look in the least bit pleased. The lady did not smile andnor did she step away from her husband. Rather, she shared a look with him; a look which Edith could not make out.
“I think that would be for the best, my dear.” Lord Frankton reached out and took his wife’s hand, as though it was an encouragement to her. “I will come to speak with you as soon as I can.”
“But do not think to unpack your things,” the Duke interrupted, harshly. “Neither of you will be staying.”
Edith turned away abruptly, her heart aching with both sorrow for the situation that had been thrust upon the Duke and, at the same time, sympathy for Lord and Lady Frankton. Her steps took her back to her own bedchamber, away from the difficulties that this family presented while worrying solely about what this might do to the Duke of Fairglen and his connection to herself.
Chapter Eighteen
“You are not staying.”
“Please, Fairglen.” Much to Henry’s irritation, his brother did not seem to listen to a word which he was saying. He threw out his hands, seemingly desperate for Henry to listen to him. “There is so much that needs to be said. I have tried to write to you many a time, have sent letters explaining what happened but you have never once responded.”
