Page 10 of Wedded to the Loveless Duke
“That is not true! I could have given her to any other man who wanted my fortune if that were the case. I came to you because I have it on good authority that you are a good man, andhaving met you now, I believe that report.” William eyed Phillip speculatively over the porcelain teacup. “You will not clip my daughter’s wings.”
“No.” Phillip sighed. “But I want to know why you are doing this. Why now? If you were going to take this approach, you could have wed her off years ago. Why the haste in doing it now?”
“That is my secret to bear.” William eased himself into his own chair with a groan and stared at the crackling fire. “This will come to an end soon, though. How quickly can you set up a wedding? I have already visited the Archbishop. He has signed the special license, and we have three months before it will be no longer of use.”
“I can have everything ready next week, but if you wish to give your daughter the wedding she deserves, I will need a few more weeks.”
“Then give her the wedding she deserves, Richmond. Let me know when it is done.”
“Can we not tell her the truth now, Fife? Please. Seeing her like this… no one should have to suffer like that. Even her friend has sided with you, and she has turned to me, a near stranger, for a listening ear.”
“That only means she will find it easier to turn to you when she discovers that it is you she is marrying. We will tell her nothing. I will bring her to the wedding ceremony when you have the dateand time arranged.” William sipped at his tea. “For now, tell her nothing. Nothing at all, Richmond. It is for the best.”
“How can convincing your only daughter that she is unwanted be for the best?” Phillip snapped. “From where I stand, you look as much the cruel father as she believes you to be. Give me a reason to believe otherwise.”
“Do you need one?” William drawled. “If I am the cruel father, you will be saving her from me by marrying her. If I am not and I have a good reason for all I am doing, you will still be doing what is best for her. I can tell you are fond of her. Whichever way you choose to see it, Richmond, you are doing what is best for my daughter.”
Phillip sighed and stood up. He started pacing the room and rubbing a hand over his face. “It is because I am fond of her that I hate doing this to her! She will believe I was in league with you all along if we tell her nothing about this.”
“She will not if you tell her after you are wed that you asked for her hand after she told you about her situation.” William drained the rest of his tea. “Look, Richmond, I care little what you choose to tell her after the wedding. Just have things ready in a few weeks and pass along the date.”
“I cannot come to see her again between now and then.” Phillip ran his fingers through his hair. “I cannot watch her suffer knowing I have answers that would ease her mind and that I cannot give.”
“I understand,” William murmured. “Would you come visit again with the date?”
“As long as I do not have to see her before the wedding.”
“I will see to it.”
Phillip nodded. “I will see you then, Fife. I hope for her sake that you know what you are doing.”
“I do.” William stared over the rim of his empty cup at the crackling fire. As much as he knew it was hurting her, he knew what he was doing, and he knew this was for the best. Eleanor would be well cared for by Phillip once she let herself trust the man and let go of her irrational disdain for marriage. Phillip would not destroy her independence or fiery nature. He would cultivate it and temper it, making Eleanor a better woman. It would all be worth it in the end.
The Duke put his hat back on. “Good day, Fife.”
“Good day, Richmond.”
Eleanor was startled by a knock at the door of her painting studio. She looked up to find her father standing there with a large box in his hands. She frowned and stood up. “Father?”
“Eleanor, I know we have been going through a difficult spot in our relationship as of late, and I know I have not been able to offer many answers.” William came in and set the box on her canvas table. “I hope you would accept this as a small token of apology so that we can put this all behind us.”
She joined him at the table. “What is it?”
“I need you to accompany me to an event, and this is for you to wear.”
Eleanor opened the box. Inside, she found a white muslin dress beautifully embroidered with gold and silver flowers and birds, with a gold ribbon sash between the full, delicate skirts and the bodice. She fingered the fine, gauzy lace laid over the skirts. “This is lovely, Father. Thank you. What is it for?”
“We are attending an event where there will be very important people. We need to look our best for it. You know how thetoncan be, my dear.” William smiled disarmingly.
“I adore it,” she admitted.
“I hoped you would.”
“When is this event?”
“In a week. I had the dress specially designed for it.”
“I will wear it with pride.” She picked up the box. “Thank you.”
