Page 29 of The Duke's Gamble
Florentina’s heart softened despite the warnings ringing through her mind. “Your father was thought of poorly? I am sorry to hear it.”
“He brought it upon himself.” The Duke’s lips twisted, a sharp glint in his eyes now. “He was a little like your brother, I am afraid. Often far too willing to indulge in liquor and, thereafter, gamble with the wealth that our family possessed. I swore that, once I took on the title, I would do all that I could to not only restore my family’s wealth but also to gain more. And that is what I have done.”
The sympathy in Florentina’s heart grew, urging her to understand and see why the Duke behaved as he did.
She did not want to listen.
“I want thetonto think highly of me, despite the ruination my father brought to the family name and to our standing,” he continued, looking away from her now, his voice soft and even a little wistful. “That is what I strive for, what I focus on.”
“What you obsess over in both your thoughts and actions?”
The words were out of her mouth before she could prevent them but, much to her relief, the Duke did not appear to be the least bit angry or upset with her. Yes, his eyes flashed back to hers but he did not instantly speak nor berate her for what she had astutely noted about him. Instead, he ran a hand over his mouth, clearly thinking about what she had said before, after some moments of silence, he finally nodded.
“Perhaps you are correct, Lady Florentina. Perhaps it has become something of an obsession. In truth, I do not know what it is, and what I have become. The reason I was delighted to take the house from your brother is because it would spell the achievement of what I have longed for, what I have been pushing towards for so many years.”
“And what is that?”
The Duke took in a long breath, his shoulders lifting as he sat back in his chair. “To be all the greater.” His eyes closed, his lips flattening. “To be the very best gentleman in all of society—but not in character, however. To have thetonknow that save for the King,Ihave the greatest wealth,Ipossess the largest number of properties, thatIhave the very best of everything.”
Florentina’s heart twisted. “And then, do you think that you will be satisfied? Do you believe that once society views you as you wish it to, all will be well? That your character will alter with it, that you will no longer be as you are now?”
The Duke’s eyes glinted. “By that, you mean nothing but selfish and inconsiderate, yes?”
There came a slight hesitation in Florentina’s heart, an urge to say no, to soften the words a little so that he did not feel the sting of them but, after a moment, she simply nodded. Seeing it, the Duke smiled but it was not one that held any joy or mirth. Instead, it was a trifle sad, a shadow passing across his face.
“I have much thinking to do.” Rising to his feet, he stood before her and Florentina, knowing what was expected of her, also stood. The Duke held out one hand to her and, a little cautious still, Florentina offered hers. The clasping of his fingers upon hers sent such a jolt through her, she snatched in an audible breath, flushing hot as the Duke’s eyes caught hers.
Then, he bowed over her hand, the heat of his breath whispering across her skin and her body heated all the more.
“I do not know if I ought to apologise or not, for I am not quite certain that I have done anything wrong as yet. Though I can see now that my behavior has brought you pain, both you and your family and that was never my intention. I will confess that I have been thinking only of myself and mayhap, seeing that now two of my companions no longer wish for my company, I ought to consider that.”
Florentina tried to speak but the sudden thumping of her heart prevented her. Something about the Duke holding her hand in the way he was seemed to steal her breath from her but, much to her relief, he did not appear to notice.
“I shall take my leave of you now but, be assured, should I realise that I ought to offer you an apology, then I shall not hesitate.”
“And might you reconsider your present ownership of my brother’s house?” Florentina blurted out, pulling her hand out of his. “What would you say to that?”
Much to her surprise, the Duke instantly shook his head. “No, I think not. The agreement has been made and I will not go back upon it. After all,” he finished, a slight quirk about his lips, “I won the house and if I am to give it up, then I must have something else in its place. That would not be at all fair otherwise.”
Florentina did not know what to say at this. Was the Duke comparing her to his possession of the Haddington house, asthough somehow she was to beownedby him? The gentle lift of his lips and the softness about his eyes, however, made it appear as though he was speaking a little in jest and, somewhat tentatively, she smiled.
“Do you think…?” The Duke ended his question midway through, dropping his head and running one hand over his eyes, his expression growing into one of uncertainty. Florentina bit her lip, worrying about what it was that he wanted to ask. Thus far, he had expressed concern as to how his friends might view him, had informed her that he was rather upset over his present state of character and, thereafter, had stated unequivocally that he would not end their betrothal and now had something more to ask her? Florentina already had much to ponder from what he had revealed to her. What more did he wish to say?
“I am being foolish to ask you such a thing after the dreadful manner I have gone about things.” Wincing, the Duke threw her a quick look and then turned his head away. “Do you think there is a chance that we might become friends?”
Florentina’s heart threw itself so hard at her ribs, it was painful. A gasp caught her lips, her eyes rounding and instantly, the Duke dropped his head, rubbing one hand over the back of his neck.
“It was a foolish thing to ask you, I can see that.” With a shake of his head, he made to go to the door. “I am sorry. I—”
“Wait!” Without thinking, Florentina hurried forward just as the Duke turned away, catching his hand in hers. Fire shot up her arm, dulling her senses as she gazed up into the Duke’s face, seeing the surprise leaping into his eyes.
She dropped his hand, face flushing. “Your Grace. I did not… that is to say, I do not know what your motivations are to ask me such a thing but neither do I want you to think that I reject such a question.”
He nodded just as she glanced up at him again. “I quite understand, Florentina. You have no reason to trust me, and I know why that is. It will take time but I should like to try to improve our connection, truly.” A wry smile touched his lips. “And even in saying that, I can see that I am being foolish in my thinking. For you will not be able to trust me in this either!”
“You are right.” Florentina did not hold back the truth from the Duke, choosing to be just as honest as he. “I do not think that Icantrust you but the desire you speak of is something that I can understand for it is within my own heart also. I should not like to go into a marriage where neither of us can even remain in conversation for more than a moment given our dislike. But if you are truly saying you believe there can be an improvement in our connection then that is something I would welcome.”
The Duke held her gaze for another long moment and then, much to Florentina’s surprise, smiled so warmly, it was as though, in some way, she had fulfilled everything that he had ever hoped for.
