Page 16 of The Penitent Duke
This brought nothing but a seemingly stunned silence as Lady Rosalind first stared at him, only to then narrow her eyes. Lucian looked back without so much as flinching, aware of the creeping embarrassment which continued to spread up through him. He had spoken poorly and he was well aware of that, but he certainly would never either admit to it.
“Let me be quite clear, Your Grace.” Lady Rosalind’s voice had become a little higher pitched, her words snapping out at him. “I fully understand the situation, more thanyouever can, given that you have no knowledge of my family nor have any true awareness of the difficulties that we presently face. I am also well aware that should I consent to marry you, my family’s standing will be elevated and my brother’s foolishness, whilst still a stain on our family reputation, will become nothing more than a dull whisper. My father and mother will regain if not improve their standing and I will be placed in one of the very highest situations in the country, aside from the King.” She took in a breath and Lucian looked away, a little embarrassed now. “My emotions are not something that I consider to be in any way a weakness, Your Grace, for it is quite right to consider how I would feel, should I accept the offer of becoming your bride. It is right for me to consider all that I would be troubled with, all that I would bear. You may consider this in only a practical light, whereas I see it from various angles. Now, might you tell me if you still believe that I do not understand the situation with all of its complexities, or that I have no understanding of what might be best for myself and my family?”
The words that Lucian wanted to speak were caught back in his throat as he glanced to the lady and then looked away again. He began to wonder if she was the right young lady for him to consider, for with such a sharp tongue, she was making it quite plain that she would fight back against whatever he might say, should she feel it unjust. Was that the sort of wife he desired?
“You will not even acknowledge my question?”
“Very well, very well!” Lucian snapped, throwing out one hand towards her. “I should not have spoken as I did, though I have very good reason for stating that young ladies often donotknow what is best for them and will go ahead with what they have decided. And this even when I have stated that it would not be wise for them to proceed!” His words grew more forceful, his voice louder until Lucian stopped sharply, realizing just how ragged his breathing had become. Lady Rosalind said nothing for some minutes, looking back at him with slightly widened eyes but a curiosity flickering there – a curiosity that Lucian had no intention of answering.
His heart quailed, far too aware that the person he spoke of was none other than Lady Pearl.Shewas the reason for his upset, the reason for his rushed words and impassioned speech and yet, in recognizing that, Lucian felt nothing but guilt. Indeed, she had not done as he had asked and had, in fact, chosen to do just as she pleased but Lucian had not been determined enough to prevent her from following him on horseback. He had been too tender, too considerate and, truth be told, too selfish for he had wanted her company with him despite his concerns.
“I do not know of whom or of what you speak, Your Grace, but I can assure you, I have no intention of permitting you to determine what I know or what my reasons might be for following a certain path – either now or in the future, should there be one.”
Lady Rosalind had, it seemed, found her voice, and Lucian scowled darkly.
“Then mayhap this meeting is over before it has even truly begun,” he surmised, arching an eyebrow. “I do not much like a young lady who is so decided in her words. I would have preferred you quieter and much more willing to submit.”
Rather than shrink under his words, Lady Rosalind let out a peal of laughter, though there was scorn in it rather than mirth. Lucian swallowed hard, a tingling rushing through him as he saw her shake her head. Was she laughing at him? That, he did not like in the least.
“I beg your pardon, Your Grace, but might I suggest that stating just how much you dislike me while, at the same time, having a full awareness of how you yourself have behaved of late is a little… ironic?”
Heat poured into Lucian’s face.
“I wouldmuchprefer a gentleman who had good manners,” she continued, lifting her hands and beginning to tick things off on her fingers. “A gentleman who was eager to follow all rules of propriety, who sought to make a good impression, who showed consideration for the feelings and struggles of others. I would prefer a gentleman who did not dictate what I ought to do, who did not tell me that I am, somehow, a lesser creature than he because I do not know what is best for me – this after the fact that my own father has given me leave to have this conversation with you becausehetrusts my judgement.” She shook her head, her hands dropping to her lap. “You are not the only one who does not find everything they have been looking for, Your Grace,” she finished, irony filling her tone still. “Yet somehow, here I am, seeking to find a possible accord because, at present, it is the only future where I might have a little more for my family. And especially for my younger sister.”
Lucian blinked. “Your younger sister? I thought you had only a brother.”
The corners of her mouth caught in a small smile, though it was dashed away just as quickly. “Emilia. She is my younger sister and still at home, in the care of the governess. She will not make her come out for another two or three years. It is because of her that I consider this, Your Grace. Not for my own sake, I can assure you.”
A tension strung itself through Lucian’s limbs, pulling him into himself. “I did not realise that you had a sister.” He sniffed, seeing Lady Rosalind in a new light gifted to him by this revelation. It was not that she would consent to marry him because of her own standing, it seemed, but rather because of her love for her sister and that, he had to admit, made his impression of her improve a little.
All the same, he warned himself, this match would be a difficult one. She was a little too tenacious, a little too sharp-tongued for his liking.
So why am I still sitting here?
“Well?”
Lucian frowned, seeing the question in Lady Rosalind’s expression.
“Are you going to discuss your marriage proposal with me or have you decided that I am much too loud and determined for your liking?”
His lip curled, disliking how she had been able to ascertain his thoughts without so much as him saying a single word. “I –” Stopping himself sharply, he bunched his lips together, then returned his gaze toher. “I came here with the intention of speaking to your father about my considerations as regards a marriage between us.”
“But he is not here and will not join us until I send for him.”
Lucian closed his eyes, letting the frustration wash over him, feeling it rise up and then, as he blew out a breath, begin to recede. “Then I will continue our conversation, Lady Rosalind. What is it that you wish me to answer?”
Lady Rosalind tilted her head. “Given that you have told me that I am not in the least bit what you desire, what is your purpose in suggesting we wed?”
“It is not as though you are entirely unsuitable.” Lucian saw the way she flinched and something stung at his heart but he ignored it. “You are the daughter of an Earl and, therefore, I would expect you to be quite suitable in terms of your understanding of propriety and the like. You will know what it is that is required of you when it comes to being mistress of my estate and, provided you can curb your tongue just a little, I would expect you to understand what is expected as the wife of a Duke.”
“I can certainly fulfill the role, if that is what you are suggesting,” came the reply, though there was no warmth nor even a flicker of interest in her voice. “I have no intention ofcurbingmy tongue, however, for I shall always speak just as I wish and I have no intention of changing that. You will need to understand, Your Grace, that I come from a family where my father and my mother have always considered and respected us just as we are, and that includes seeking out our opinion whenever it is required. I have never felt afraid to speak my thoughts, have never been told that I must silence myself and I have no intention of doing so now.”
This made Lucian’s heart squeeze painfully but he found himself nodding jerkily, though he did not agree in the least bit with what she had said. She was much more obstinate than he had expected, more determined than Lady Pearl had ever been and that was not something that he valued in a young lady. All the same, however, he acknowledged that he had to continue. It was not as though he would be able to find another young lady so willing to marry him, not when he had the reputation of the dark and dismal Duke who could not bear prolonged conversation and was more than a little rude and improper with it. The fact that Lady Rosalind was even considering him was something that he should appreciate which was why, he told himself, he would not end this conversation and walk away as much as he might wish to.
“We were introduced on the very same night as you decided I would be a suitable bride for you,” she said, when Lucian did not respond. “Youhave not been in society for long either, I ascertain. Might I ask if there is any reason as to why you have sought to marry so quickly?”
Lucian shrugged, sitting back in his chair, his hands on either of the chair’s arms. “Every gentleman requires a wife, do they not? I have responsibilities to the estate and to the title which have, only recently, been pressed upon me with a fresh strength.”
