Page 17 of The Penitent Duke
“I see.” Her lips flattened for just a second and then she looked away. “So you require a wife so that your family line can be continued, I presume.”
“Yes.”
“And you have no interest in being a dutiful, considerate and caring husband?”
The question surprised him. “I thought, Lady Rosalind, that you would not care about such things. Do not young ladies seek out the highest titled gentleman they can find to marry? I did not think that what sort of husband the gentleman would be like ever came into your thoughts!”
Lady Rosalind smiled but it was somewhat sad, making Lucian’s brows furrow. “Your Grace, I was here last Season and my father and mother gave me the time simply to make my way through society so I might see which gentlemen were present and so I might also know their character. It is of greatest importance to me to wed someone who has a kind, considerate and generous heart. That choice, however, has been taken away from me given my brother’s terrible behaviour and foolish decisions.” Her smile faded and a glimmer came into her eyes, making Lucian’s brows drop even lower. “If I consent to our marriage, then I will have a high title and the greatest standing aside from the King but I may, also, be rather miserable.”
“More miserable than you are at present?” Lucian had not meant those words to come from his lips with such force, had not meant to cause such a sting but the way she recoiled from him, the way she pushed herself back in her chair with the color draining from her cheeks told him that he had injured her significantly.
“I – I did not mean –”
“You are quite right, Your Grace.” Lady Rosalind smiled again but this time, she blinked quickly to push away the tears dancing in her eyes. “I am sorrowful at this present moment. However, I have dear friends and considerate parents and a regretful brother. If I was to wed you, then what I have in them would be taken from me. So indeed, I might consider that my misery would be all the greater if I consented to marry you.”
This made Lucian tremble, though he could not explain why. Was he angry at her explanation? Frustrated with what she believed about him? Considering this, Lucian recognized that part of him wanted to prove her wrong, to not only demand that they wed but, thereafter, show her that what she feared would not come about. That she wouldnotbe as miserable as she feared, though quite why he should care about that, Lucian did not know.
“I think we understand each other well enough, Lady Rosalind,” he found himself saying, rising to his feet so that the conversation would, finally, come to an end. “I do not think that you would fulfill every one of my requirements but you would certainly fulfill enough of them for me to propose marriage. You seem to feel as though I have no endearing qualities and that is something I cannot change.”
“I do not think that is true.”
Lucian’s jaw jutted forward as Lady Rosalind too rose to her feet, her eyes searching.
“I think you could alter your character well enough, Your Grace, should you choose to. It seems to me as though the gentleman you are now was not always the gentleman you have been. Lord Radcliffe expressed as much to Lady Eleanor and myself last evening. Therefore, I am certain youcanchange such things, had you any desire to but it is that, I think, that is the true issue.” She lifted one eyebrow as Lucian opened his mouth and then closed it again, choosingnotto respond verbally, at least.
Or was it because he knew that she spoke the truth?
“You are proposing to me because you are also aware that my current standing means I will not have any other offers of marriage,” she continued, looking at him with a slight flicker in her green eyes, her red curls swinging gently from the back of her head. “And yet, I shall take my time to consider, Your Grace. I will not answer you immediately.”
For the first time since she had entered the room, Lucian sensed a flicker of respect within him for the lady. She was speaking honestly again, indeed, and with a determination that he still disliked but all the same, there was a calmness within that assertiveness which he could not help but respect. “Very well.” He bowed, a sense of quietness now filling the room, replacing the fury and the upset which he had felt for so long. “Might I ask how long it will take for you to consider?”
She lifted her shoulders a little. “A fortnight, Your Grace, I should think.”
This did not please Lucian for it meant that he would have to linger in London for a little longer than he had intended. His cousin’s wedding was about to take place but he would then have to wait for another twoweeks thereafter before Lady Rosalind would give him her answer – and even then, she might refuse him! In which case, it would have been a waste of his time. He opened his mouth to refuse, to tell her that it was much too long for him to wait, only to snap it closed again. He was not about to start an argument, recognizing that coercing her to do ashewished would, no doubt, encourage her to stick to what she desired all the more.
He sighed. “Very well.”
The look of surprise on Lady Rosalind’s face was immediate and Lucian could not help the rueful smile which touched his lips. Clearly, she had expected him to argue with her and now, he felt himself rather proud that he had not.
“We should probably seek to spend a little time in each other’s company on occasion,” he continued, making her eyebrows lift all the higher. “We are not going to get to know each other if we stay at a distance. Surely, you may think that you know me well enough and have no desire to further acquaint yourself with me but nevertheless, I think it would be wise.”
Lady Rosalind looked away, her hands clasping in front of her, fingers white. “Very well, Your Grace.”
Lucian nodded and then stepped away, leaving Lady Rosalind alone. He walked purposefully out of the house, a sense of satisfaction settling on him. Indeed, she had not consented immediately but there was still a hope that she might. Then, Lucian considered, he would finally be able to retreat back to his estate, wife beside him, and never have to return to society again.
And I shall have to make certain that she never strays from my commands, regardless of what she might think or seek to do,he told himself, recalling the moment he had agreed to let Lady Pearl ride beside him back to the estate.I cannot let Lady Rosalind suffer the same fate as Lady Pearl. That strength within her, that force of will must be broken, whether she wishes it or not.
Chapter Eight
“I have something I must tell you.” Rosalind searched Lady Eleanor’s face as they stood together in the bookshop, practically alone aside from one or two others who were much too far away to overhear their conversation. “But you must promise me that you will not exclaim aloud.”
Lady Eleanor’s eyebrows lifted. “Exclaim aloud? Why should I do such a thing?”
“Because it is rather shocking,” Rosalind whispered, hoping that her friend would lower her voice. “I have been quite overwhelmed by it and I must tell someone.”
At this, Lady Eleanor set aside the book she was holding and instead, turned to face Rosalind directly. Her eyes were a little wider now, searching Rosalind’s face though she did not say anything.
Rosalind took in a long, slow breath, steadying the quaking she felt inside. “The Duke of Strathmore wishes to marry me.”
