Page 70 of A Duchess Mistaken
She caught Caroline’s hand and dragged her into the room. As soon as the door was closed behind them, she said, “He kissed me.”
“Agnes!”
The squeal was enough to return the excitement that had been doused by the arrival of the countess. “And we intend to be married.”
“Oh! Oh goodness, that’s…wonderful!”
Her sudden change in demeanor surprised Agnes. And alarmed her. “What is it?”
“I’m happy for you,” Caroline tried to assure her. It failed when her smile slipped away as quickly as it came. “It is quite a lovelymatch, to be certain. And I’m sure you will receive the full support of your parents. Not to mention the fact that it will be viewed favorably by everyone you know.”
Caroline’s tears were back with a quick force, streaming down her face as she held back a sob. Agnes instantly wrapped her in her arms.
“No, I shouldn’t be doing this,” Caroline murmured, her face buried in Agnes’ shoulder. “I am truly happy for you, Agnes.”
“And I do not doubt it for a moment, Caroline. I know you would sooner give up your own happiness if it means that I will have a chance at it. Which is exactly how I feel about you. I shan’t allow your story to end in anything else but happiness.”
“Uncle will never?—”
“I do not care what your uncle thinks. And as you can see, I do not care what your aunt thinks either. What matter is you. What you want. The person you are dreaming of. And whether he is a pauper or prince is inconsequential if he makes you happy.”
Caroline pulled away, wiping her tears. She forced a smile onto her face. “I feel like a fool crying about this. Even more so of a fool for not being able to stand up for myself.”
“Come now, Caroline. Every princess has a white knight who will do anything to protect her. Consider me your knight.”
“And I suppose I should consider the duke yours. Certainly not a bad option if I do say so myself.”
Agnes couldn’t help the heat that rushed to her cheeks. “Yes, well, I do not know when that happened, though I am certainly happy that it did.”
“As am I. You deserve to be happy more than anyone else I know.” Caroline squeezed her hand. “I shall get dressed for dinner. And perhaps don what little armor I have. I have a feeling it will be a rather strained affair this evening.”
“Especially if Lady Reeds has anything to say about it, I’m sure,” Agnes agreed.
Caroline flashed her another smile, this one touching her eyes, before she turned to leave. As soon as she was gone, Agnes made her way over to the bed and flopped over on top, a grin spreading across her face. She was so deliriously happy that she couldn't think straight. Yes, there were far many other things to take care of, Lord and Lady Reeds being at the top of that list. But she couldn’t allow herself to think about them right now. Her thoughts constantly strayed back to the handsome duke and the way he claimed her lips as if he’d been dying to do so for as long as he could remember. The yearning she felt trembling in his bones ricocheted in tune with hers. She loved him. And he loved her. Together, she knew they would be an unstoppable force.
Agnes shot upright in bed, gasping. She’d forgotten to tell him the one thing he didn’t know.
Being an unstoppable force required him to know about Caroline’s peasant lover, after all.
Dinner was a strained affair but Johnathan truly didn’t mind. Seeing Lord Reeds did instill some of his previous frustration but Agnes’ overwhelming comforting presence soothed much of that. He was able to ignore the earl’s scathing looks throughout the entirety of dinner, focusing instead on his bright and hopeful future. With Agnes. Once he had her in his life, he had nothing to fear.
Suffice it to say, there was no retirement to the drawing room once dinner drew to a close. Lord and Lady Reeds claimed tiredness the moment the dessert course was cleared. Lord and Lady Sutton read the room and decide to retire as well. Miss Caroline, who had remained quiet throughout the entirety of the dinner, finally broke her silence to murmur ‘goodnight’ before trailing after the others.
Johnathan’s eyes wandered to Agnes, as it always done. A smile crept across his face when he saw that she was already looking his way.
“I believe it is farewell for tonight, Your Grace,” she said, paying her brother and Christopher no mind.
Johnathan did the same. He only had eyes for her. “Yes, I believe that is right. Goodnight, Miss Agnes.”
“Goodnight, Your Grace.”
She stood, eyes glowing. Then she looked over at Paul who was watching the exchange with a look of confusion. “Brother, walk with me to my chamber, won’t you?”
“Can’t you make the trip by yourself?”
Agnes gave him a stern look. “I shan’t ask again.”
Paul groaned loudly and dragged himself to a stand. “Goodnight, Your Grace, my lord.”
