Page 23 of The Curious Life of the Unfortunate Duchess
Leonard waited expectantly, his bright eyes eager for any additional information he might learn about the man’s beautiful daughter.
“If you wish to win her heart, Duke, she will not be swayed by the usual methods, I am afraid. Many men have tried and failed. I dare not broach the subject of marriage for she grows defensive.”
Leonard’s beam widened, the challenge attempting to taunt him.
“Ah, Lord Gordon. You mistake me for other men. I assure you I am not.”
“I have a distinct impression about you, Duke. I daresay I am rarely wrong when my instinct is involved. It is what makes me such a prolific hunter.” Leonard caught the note of pride in his voice and seized the opportunity to pounce himself.
“Do you hunt?” Leonard asked casually. “Pembroke does offer fine hunting. More the reason for you to join me at my estate…if the desire should strike you, of course.”
He blinked guilelessly at Lord Gordon, knowing the man saw through his nearly shameless tactics.
“Forgive me for mentioning this, Duke, but I did hear that you were betrothed. Surely you are not intent on pursuing my daughter while engaged to another. Elizabeth is a kind girl, devoted, and generous in heart and spirit. Should you betray that sweetness I cannot say that she would ever recover from such a thing.”
“I assure you, Lord Gordon, I would never dishonor your daughter in any way. You may not know me, sir, but I am a man who will fight to achieve whatever it is I desire. You might find I have that in common with my father, also.”
He left the rest of the words unspoken. It was evident that Leonard desired Elizabeth Follett. He need not paint Lord Gordon a picture.
“Indeed, you are your father’s son,” Lord Gordon chuckled and pressed the cup to his lips again. “I bid you Godspeed in your quest for Elizabeth’s affections but do not say I did not forewarn you.”
“I appreciate the blessing and the warning, my Lord.”
Leonard did not add that he did not require either.
I am my father’s son, after all and I will do precisely as my father taught me—to pursue whatever it is I long for in this life, whatever the cost.
* * *
The wedding was a sight to behold which was unsurprising considering the extravagant galas which preceded the ceremony. Even Catherine, in her eternal cynicism, cried although she denied it when her brother teased her about the tears in her eyes.
Leonard found himself pressed between his sister and his betrothed among the hundreds of guests, barely able to hear the vows being spoken but he was not paying the least bit of mind to the union in progress. Perhaps fate had intervened or it had been deviously planned by her father but Elizabeth and her family stood just ahead of him where he could feast his eyes readily on her comely form, if only from the back. If he leaned forward, Leonard was certain he would catch a whiff of her honeysuckle scent but he dared not. He knew he had matters to attend before performing any such act.
“Oh,” Priscilla sobbed. “It is just so beautiful! I cannot wait until our wedding, Your Grace!”
Matters like Miss Priscilla, of course.
It was no small feat to end an engagement and Leonard did not anticipate that it would go well. Priscilla was simply not ladylike enough to handle a broken betrothal with grace yet it was of small consequence to Leonard. No matter how hysterical Priscilla might become, the engagement must be called off. It was the only way to show both Percival and Elizabeth that his commitment was unwavering.
Priscilla sniffed dramatically and reached to squeeze his arm in a gesture of affection but Leonard yanked himself away like her touch was made of fire. The idea that Elizabeth might catch a glimpse of such contact between him and Priscilla troubled him more deeply than he ever could have imagined.
“I do hope our celebration of love will be as large,” Priscilla continued and dabbed the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief “Although I daresay we will not have as many guests, will we, Your Grace?”
Catherine guffawed rudely, saving Leonard from having to answer Priscilla’s ridiculous question. What would Leonard know about the number of invitations sent? He could barely recall the date set for their union.
“Celebration of love?” Catherine echoed, hearing the naïve words. She turned her head to smirk at Priscilla.
“Who are you marrying for love? Certainly not my brother! Or, shall I say, he is not marrying you for love.”
Priscilla gaped at her.
“Mind your tongue!” she huffed, her face visibly upset by Catherine’s cruel words. Priscilla cast Leonard a helpless but furious look and he entertained the idea that perhaps his fiancée genuinely did not realize how he felt about her.
It seems improbable that she could not see how little I care for her as I have made no effort to hide my disdain but Priscilla is such a simple-minded woman.
Regardless, Leonard knew he had to end the mounting animus between the women. Whatever would become of him and Priscilla, his sister needed to know her place.
“Catherine,” Leonard growled. “It is not the time.”
