Page 42 of A Bluestocking for the Wicked Duke
“Your mother tells me you got into a duel with the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos,” the Duke said.
Just before he spoke his expression had changed. His smile died and his face hardened. He was not joking anymore. William looked at his mother.
Trust mother to strike while the iron is still hot.
“I know you son; my finding out that you got into a duel is not a surprise. I am surprised, dismayed details my feelings better, that you lost. How did you lose to a man as old as that?” the Duke said.
William looked at his father and saw the glint in his eyes. The man was kidding all along. His father was just looking for the best way to goad him.
“He cheated,”
“He’s the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos,” his father said before turning to the Duchess and commenting.
“You remember him don’t you?” the Duke said.
The Duchess nodded her head, her lips sealed to form a tight white line.
“I’ve known the guy from when I was your age. He does nothing else but cheat, of course you are not exempted from such a treatment.”
“I should have been better prepared,” William replied, resignation evident in his tone.
“You should have been.”
The stern look returned to his father’s eyes once again. William searched for the playful twinkle in them but this time they were gone completely.
“I care little about you losing an affair of honour son; this is where I have a problem. Your mother has regaled me with how you attempted to throw your life away by refusing to yield to the man.”
The Duke stopped talking. William felt his father’s hot probing gaze bore into his eyes. The Duke sat straighter. William knew he was getting angry.
“You told him to kill you. Are you insane?” the Duke said.
Unlike other times when he was angry, now his voice was cool and cold but William could feel the utmost control the Duke was exerting in his voise causing it to tremble. His father was putting all his energy into preventing a heated outburst. William lowered his head.
“Do you think your life is yours? Your life is not yours. You are the only male heir to the Duke of Wellington. You don’t live for yourself alone you live for Wellington.”
William raised his head. He opened his mouth to mount a protest but his father’s raised hand kept him mum.
“You should know better than this William. I am truly disappointed,” the Duke said.
“Your mother then informed me of her ploy that got you into a marriage pact with her.”
“It’s not a marriage pact,” William corrected.
“I understand,” replied the Duke, cutting him off.
“I would not have heeded her strategy to cool your hothead. But the recent events tie my hand. I cannot mandate that you get married to the girl but I do want you to have a proper courtship with her. You should plan towards marriage,” the Duke continued.
“I have already started the first part of that. I should see her later this week,” William told him.
His father broke into a smile which spread and become a grin.
“I thought you didn’t like the chit. I guess my estimation about your ability with women is understated,” the Duke said.
William blushed at his father’s comments. He looked at his mother and shook his head.
She is the one who provides father with such preposterous stories.
“You look at your mother as if she lies,” his father said upon seeing William’s telling stare on the Duchess.
