Page 23 of A Duchess Mistaken
“What is it, Miss Agnes?” he broached gently.
“Caroline and your brother are in love,” she blurted out before he’d gotten the question out fully. “And while I know how scandalous this might seem, I am well aware that only a select few are certain of your courtship with Caroline so it may not be as scandalous as we are assuming. And even if it were, I hope that you love your brother as much as I love Caroline and wish for him to be happy with the person he loves, rather than any mark on his reputation. So I only ask that you do not oppose their union.”
She had looked down halfway through her words but when she looked back up at him, she blinked, seemingly surprised. Johnathan didn’t blame her. As she spoke, he felt a wave of relief come over him, and then happiness. He was sure it was evident on his face.
It seemed his fear that Miss Agnes and Miss Caroline had found out about his reason for wanting him and his brother to marry them had been ill-placed. And to learn that his brother had gone and fallen in love! Who would have thought? He’d certainly done a good job of hiding it. That would explain his disinterest in Miss Agnes. Any smart gentleman would be happy to court a lady like her and yet he’d been doing so as if a blade was pointed at his back. Now Johnathan knew it had to be because of his love for another woman.
“You do not seem unhappy,” Miss Agnes pointed out.
“That is because I am not. Why would I be when I have just learned of the direction of my brother’s heart? I want to do whatever I can to make him happy.”
“Even if that means breaking your engagement with Caroline?” she asked with a frown.
“I have no qualms with doing such a thing. It is clear that we hold no romantic affection for each other after all. If they would be happier together, then by all means.”
Miss Agnes blinked at him, coming to terms with what he was saying.
“Is it so hard to believe?” he asked her.
“No,” she admitted. “I was only prepared for more of a fight. I came ready to argue with you.”
“Somehow that does not surprise me,” he said with an easy chuckle.
She didn’t share in his amusement, her brows dipping. “What do you propose to mean by that?”
“Only that you are rather opinionated, Miss Agnes,” he told her without qualms. “Nothing more than that.”
“Hm.”
He wasn’t bothered by her wariness. In fact, it endeared him. His breath caught in his throat when she began to approach, sinking into the armchair across his desk. Despite the distance, her scent wafted over to him and brought gooseflesh to his skin.
“It is good that you share the same opinion on this as I do, Your Grace,” Miss Agnes said, folding her hands in her lap. “It will make the next step far easier to manage.”
“The next step?” he probed, raising his brow.
“Well, Caroline is very…hesitant. She seems intent on keeping her love a secret and judging from the fact that you knew nothing of this yourself, I presume your brother does as well. And we cannot forget that the four of us are not the only ones involved in these arrangements. My parents and Caroline’s aunt and uncle will have much to say if any changes are made.”
“You have given this much thought, haven’t you?”
“I have,” she confirmed with a nod, leveling her gaze on him. “I could not stop thinking about it all of last night into this morning.”
“Ah, I see. So that is why you seemed that way.”
She frowned again. Johnathan instantly regretted the words. “And what do you mean bythat way?”
“It is nothing to be offended by, Miss?—”
“I think I should be the judge of that.”
He sighed. “I only meant that I noticed how absentminded you appeared during dinner last night.”
Miss Agnes’ frown did not lift, as if she didn’t dare to give him the impression that he was constantly being judged. However, her eyes did lighten to curiosity as she tilted her head to the side. “How odd that you noticed such a thing, Your Grace.”
All of a sudden, Johnathan was having a hard time meeting her eyes. He stood, walking over to the sideboard though he had no intention of drinking so early in the morning. He simply needed something to do with his hands. “I am an observant man.”
“As am I,” she hummed thoughtfully. He could feel her gaze boring into him.
Johnathan didn’t dare turn to face her. He busied himself by pouring a glass of wine, having every intention of letting the wine sit untouched. He didn’t know what it was about Miss Agnes that turned him into a bumbling fool who constantly put his foot in his mouth. She was a beautiful, intelligent and well-spoken lady, that was certain. Perhaps a tad intimidating. But he was a duke, for God’s sake. He’d gone up against men twice her size with scowls far more terrifying.
