Page 13 of The Penitent Duke
“I – I think that might be best,” Lady Fairmont managed to say, her voice faint. “Did you say that you wished tomarryour daughter?”
Nodding, Lucian tried to smile, struggling with the tension he now felt. This was not what he had expected, not the reaction he had anticipated and now, he felt very unsure of himself, as if he were standing on uneven ground. “I do. I have only just been introduced to her and –”
“You have only been introduced to her this evening?” Lord Fairmont now sounded incredibly confused, frowning hard at Lucian who nodded. “And somehow, within that short space of time, you have decided that you wish to marry her?”
A tightness came into Lucian’s jaw. “Indeed. I believe that she would suit me very well as she clearly is genteel and quite proper, as you yourself said, Lady Fairmont, and that is all I require.”
Lady Fairmont blinked, her mouth opening and closing though she did not say a word.
“Well, I think that it would be best if you came to call,” Lord Fairmont finally answered, evidently regaining some of his composure. “Might I ask, Your Grace, have you expressed any of this to my daughter herself?”
Recalling just how upset Lady Rosalind had been when they had parted, Lucian shook his head, his throat now a little scratchy as he began to imagine what it would be like when her parents informed her of his request. “I think it would be best coming from you, Lord Fairmont. I would never force a young lady to marry me, of course.”
“I appreciate your consideration.” Lord Fairmont tilted his head, just a fraction, his eyes still sharp. “You are aware, I am sure, that you have a reputation, Your Grace, and it is not a particularly pleasant one. I will not force my daughter into this match, should she have no real desire to marry you.”
A streak of anger rushed up Lucian’s spine but he simply spread out his arms and then let his hands fall to his sides. “Of course, Lord Fairmont. I quite understand that you are concerned for your daughter and that in light of hearing of my reputation.”
“Which you do not deny?”
Lucian shrugged, refusing to let the anger within him burn so hot that it overtook his words. “Ihavespent a long time out of society’s view and my response to those who have written to encourage me to be present back into the ton has not been particularly considerate, so I do not refute that. Nor do I pretend that I am not of a somewhat dark and dismal disposition, as thetonsay, but I have had much in my past to weigh upon me and that has brought me to my present state of mind. I say this all to you so that there is no falseness between us, no pretense. I am just as you see me and, to be frank, just as thetonsee also.” There was no point in hiding anything from the Earl, Lucian considered, for no doubt Lady Rosalind would say the same, if not more, when she came to express her feelings about Lucian and his behavior towards her. He wished to be perfectly clear with Lord and Lady Fairmont, understanding that they had as much to safeguard themselves against as he did. The whispers of thetontouched their family just as it did him and, whether Lady Rosalind liked him or not, Lucian knew he might well be her only choice.
“I understand.” Lord Fairmont glanced at his wife who still remained wide eyed and clearly utterly shocked. “Thank you for your honesty, Your Grace. Might I ask you to call upon me tomorrow afternoon? That will give me enough time to speak with my daughter and with my wife.”
Lucian inclined his head. “That is quite all right. Surely, I can call tomorrow. Good evening, Lord Fairmont, Lady Fairmont.” With a nod, he turned away and walked back through the crowd, ready to seek out a quiet corner for himself where he might hide away.
The deed is done.
Letting out a slow breath, Lucian turned so that he could lean back against the wall, letting his gaze ripple over the crowd. He could not imagine what the conversation would be like when Lord Fairmont told his daughter of Lucian’s request! He wondered if she would be just as shocked, just as stunned as her parents had appeared to be or if she would break down in upset and despair at his request. Certainly, she would not express any sort of happiness or pleasure, he was sure.
“But I shall find out tomorrow,” he murmured to himself, a small, almost contented smile spreading across his face. If she agreed, then they would marry and he would return to his estate with his duty done and the family line taken care of… and if she did not, then he would have to find someone else to wed him, which would be rather irritating and would delay his return to the Strathmore estate.
“Let us hope her father convinces her,” Lucian murmured to himself, his smile beginning to fade away. “I think I should be quitesatisfied with Lady Rosalind as my bride… even if she would never be satisfied with me.”
Chapter Six
Rosalind’s mother smiled at her but Rosalind did not return it, catching what she was sure was a glimmer of tears in her mother’s eyes. “Are you quite all right, Mama?” She took her mother’s hand, choosing not to sit down at the breakfast table. “Are you upset about something?” Her stomach knotted as cold fear rifled through her. “Is it my brother? Has he done something more?”
“It is about last evening.”
Rosalind spun around just as her father walked into the room though, much to Rosalind’s relief, there was a kind smile on his face. “Last evening?”
“You did nothing wrong so you need not look so afraid,” came her father’s reply, gesturing for her to sit down. “Please, take a seat by your mother so we can tell you the… interesting conversation we had last night.”
Doing as her father asked but feeling the tension lingering in her all the same despite his kind smile, Rosalind glanced to her mother, to her father and then back again.
“Have some tea.” Lady Fairmont reached for the teapot rather than permitting the maid to do it, though Rosalind noticed a slight tremble in her mother’s hand as she did so. “I think you will need it.”
“Whatever has happened?” Rosalind could not help the fear in her voice, barely even glancing at the cup of tea her mother pushed towards her. “I do not know what has frightened you so, Mama, but –”
“Oh, nothing has frightened me.” Lady Fairmont caught Rosalind’s hand and smiled again. “It has astonished me, yes, but not frightened me.”
Her chest loosened and Rosalind was able to breathe a little more easily, though she squeezed her mother’s hand back in return. “Then what is it?”
Lady Fairmont’s gaze went to Lord Fairmont and Rosalind turned her head, seeing her father taking a sip of his coffee before he spoke. After a moment, he opened his mouth, only to close it again and press his lips together tightly. With a slight shake of his head, he smiled briefly – albeit a little tightly – and then gestured to Rosalind. “My dear girl, someone wishes to marry you.”
Rosalind froze, her heart pounding, her mouth falling open in astonishment. She could not speak, could not even move but could onlystare at her father, hearing the words ringing around and around her head.
“Do you understand what your father has said to you?”
