Page 84 of A Duchess Mistaken
Johnathan sighed softly and tried to soften his features. He walked away from the terrace doors, not wanting the earl to walk by when he said his next words.
“You were right, my lord. Lord Reeds is rather distressed.”
“Ah.” Lord Sutton nodded in understanding. “I take it that the conversation did not go very well then.”
“Why do you say that?”
“You look irritated, Your Grace.” When Johnathan raised his brows at that, the viscount laughed and added, “You have never been very good at hiding what you’re thinking, Your Grace. At least, not to me.”
“I didn’t know that I was such an open book.”
“It would be too much to say that you are. You simply seem like someone trying their hardest not to show the world how they feel, which only allows the opposite to occur.”
Johnathan thought that sounded vaguely familiar. “Agnes is quite like you. I believe she said the same thing to me once.”
Lord Sutton chuckled, pride shining in his eyes. “Agnes takes after me in many ways. She is intelligent, witty, and strong-willed. And because of her confidence, she has never allowed herself to get close to anyone whom she does not see a futurewith. Which is why I do find it a bit odd that she has not already decided to call off this wedding.”
“Odd, my lord?” Johnathan echoed, surprised by the viscount’s candor.
“Yes, odd,” Lord Sutton confirmed. He rocked back on his heels, tucking his hands into his pockets. Johnathan had to wonder if he’d already had a few drinks and that was what accounted for his loose tongue, but he seemed very much in his right mind. “Take no offense, Your Grace, but Agnes and Lord Christopher have no chemistry.”
“One does not need chemistry to be married,” Johnathan couldn’t help but point out.
“That much is true. God knows half of England’s marriages exist on that basis alone. But…I suppose I have always expected her to follow in my footsteps right until the very end. My marriage was a love match and I only assumed that hers would be as well. I understand the differences between the opposite genders and the limitations imposed on both, of course, so I do not suppose it is a bad thing for a lady of her age to marry a kind gentleman who will take care of her. Even if she does not love him.”
“How do you know she does not love him, Your Grace?”
Lord Sutton huffed a soft laugh. His gaze was trained on something across the room. Johnathan followed it and realized he was looking at Agnes, who had found her mother’s side once more.
As if she felt the weight of his eyes, Agnes’ wandering gaze came to rest on Johnathan. He could almost see her shoulder relaxing, her eyes sparkling from the distance. She slowly tilted her head to the side and raised her brows in question, a smile touching her lips.
“She does not love him, Your Grace,” Lord Sutton murmured.
Johnathan couldn’t take his eyes off her. He couldn’t even smile back. Her only smile began to dip as the question in her eyes deepened and suddenly, his legs were moving on their own.
“Pardon me, my lord,” he muttered hastily over his shoulder before making his way over to her.
Whatever Lady Sutton was saying came to a drawling end as he approached but Johnathan didn’t spare the viscountess a glance. Now, Agnes looked a little worried, no doubt at the intensity of his look.
There was so much he wanted to say. Despite the audience he had, with Lady Sutton staring between them and Lord Sutton walking up from behind, Johnathan wanted to tell her all the things smoldering in his heart.
Agnes laid a gloved hand atop his arm, stopping him just as he opened his mouth. “Perhaps we should have the conversation in private, Johnathan,” she suggested.
“What conversation?” Lady Sutton asked, still looking between them.
Agnes didn’t look at her. “With everyone,” she said to Johnathan.
He understood her immediately. And even though that wasn’t what he’d intended to speak about, he knew why she was suggesting it. Emotions were already too high for this to be made an announcement. Besides, Miss Caroline was already fragile enough as it was.
So he nodded and walked off, intending to gather all the others. It was about time they laid everything to rest.
CHAPTER 30
The moment they all gathered in the parlor next to the ballroom, Agnes flocked to Caroline’s side. She slipped her arm through her friend’s and found her shaking with fear in her eyes. She knew what was going to happen.
That was the main reason Agnes thought it best that they do this reveal in private. An announcement to thetonwas likely to risk the wrath of the earl and public embarrassment to Caroline, which Agnes didn’t think she would be able to withstand right now.
Though the look of utter rage and shame on the earl and countess’ faces might have made it a little worth it.
