Page 5 of Wedded to the Loveless Duke
“My daughter is proving difficult,” William muttered, heading towards their usual table in the empty club. “And I need a stiff drink already.”
“What could have possibly gone so wrong with her? She is strong-willed, but she is generally not intractable enough to drive you to drink before breakfast!” Edward joined him, sliding into the chair across from him. “Tell me what happened, William. You will feel better if you do, trust me.”
William sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. “I need to find her a husband, Edward, but she is proving most unpleasant about it. We ended up arguing about the matter last night. She is determined not to be, in her words, ‘leg-shackled’ no matter who the man might be. I am worried she will end up on the shelf if I let it go on much longer, but I am equally determined that I will no longer put it off.”
“I see.” Edward pursed his lips. “No matter the man, she is quite determined, you say?”
“Indeed,” William uttered flatly.
A server came to take their order, but William waved him off, deciding the drink could wait. Edward raised his brow, and William leaned forward and said in a low voice, “Tell me, Edward, do you have any men in mind who might be suitable for her? Men who will not mind that she is… less than tractable but will be gentle with her? Despite her opinion of me at the moment, I would not be well-pleased to see her wed to a manwho could not appreciate her in time. At the very least, I need to see her wed to a man who is of good character and manners.”
Edward stroked his beard and nodded slowly. “I have heard that Phillip Lewis, the Duke of Richmond, may be battening down the hatches after his uncle squandered the money intended for his estate. He is a good man and a better friend, and I do believe he might actually suit our headstrong, willful Eleanor quite well once she has been given time to come round to the idea of being a married woman. He has the charm and elegance to wrap her around his little finger if she could be convinced to give him a chance. He has not spoken directly to me about the financial difficulties he is in, though I doubt he has mentioned it to anyone. He is too proud to do it.”
“I do not intend to give her a chance to refuse. Has he made mention of seeking any arrangements?”
“None that I have heard. He certainly never spoke of it to me, but I think he would be amenable. Come to think of it, William, I seem to remember catching a glimpse of him speaking with young Eleanor at the ball last night.” Edward frowned in concentration and nodded. “Indeed, I am certain of it. It was but a brief glance, and I thought little of it, but I do recollect seeing them before Lord Tweeddale demanded my attention.”
William’s brows rose. “Did you? I asked her how her night went, but she made no mention of meeting the Duke of Richmond.”
A sly smile slipped on Edward’s lips. “Did she not? Well, it is hardly a surprise. Perhaps she did not wish you to know she’dbeen enamored already. Or perhaps she did not know it was the Duke of Richmond she had met. It would be just like him to fail to mention his title. He is a hard worker with little interest in putting on airs, and the title came to him late in life after he already made a name for himself in the financial market. I am given to understand that his small fortune is simply not enough to handle his estate’s sorry affair.”
“I see…” William smiled too. “Perhaps he would be the perfect choice, then. Eleanor will come with a high amount for her dowry as well as numerous properties when I pass. Could you arrange a meeting with this friend of yours?”
“I could. Expect a word from me in a week or two. Do you think you can keep Eleanor in check until then?”
William smiled wryly. “I think I can manage that much, Edward.”
“Then I will bring the Duke of Richmond to the table. I have little doubt he will prove amenable.”
William rose, tossing a few pounds onto the table to pay for the drinks. “Thank you, Brother. You have no idea the relief you have brought me this morning.”
“Go home to Eleanor, William. You look worn.” Edward raised his glass in farewell. “I shall see you with the Duke of Richmond in a few weeks, if not sooner.”
William took his brother’s advice and left the gentlemen’s club with a sigh. He hoped that Eleanor would not hate him too much for what he and Edward were planning and hoped even more that, if the Duke of Richmond proved amenable and agreed to marry her, she would not despise him for his part. Whether she did or not, however, it simply had to be done. He would not allow her to continue chafing at the role she was to play on account of being one of the fairer sex.
William loved his daughter, but it was because he loved her that he could no longer allow her to run as wild as she pleased. It was time to curb her childish antics and push her into adulthood. If his efforts were not enough to achieve it, he was certain the Duke of Richmond’s would be. He tucked his hands into his pockets and climbed into his waiting carriage to go home.
Eleanor was grateful when Sarah called on her. Her father had returned a few hours ago and closed himself off in his office. She had knocked at lunch to beg him to come to dine with her, but he had refused, and he had not left his office since. Her original intent had been to have another discussion about his demands that she marry. In the light of day, it seemed a more promising prospect, and she had hoped to convince him to see reason. Now, she simply wished that he would speak more than two words to her and that he would open the door so that she would know their angry exchange last night was forgiven and forgotten.
Sarah provided a welcome distraction from that situation. She sat with Eleanor in the drawing room by the window while they both worked on their embroidery projects.
“Sarah, I have something that I simply must tell you,” Eleanor murmured at length. “It really is quite extraordinary, though not in the marvelous way as the word usually implies.”
Sarah lifted her head, and she looked at Eleanor with a frown. “Well? Do not speak in riddles, Eleanor! If you have something to say, then say it.”
“My father has demanded I marry,” Eleanor stated bluntly.
Sarah stared back at her blankly.
“Did you not hear what I said? He has demanded I?—”
“Marry. Yes, I heard quite well, thank you…” Sarah’s frown deepened. “What I am perplexed about is why you think that so dreadful. I know, I know. You believe being leg-shackled to a man is the worst fate for any woman to endure. But really, Eleanor, you cannot have imagined you would escape such a fate forever.”
“I did!” Eleanor grumbled. “He shouted at me too!Shouted, Sarah. He told me that he was my father and that he would be obeyed as if my wishes in the matter do not concern him.”
“I am certain they do,” Sarah countered tremulously. “Perhaps you are growing too hasty in your concern, Eleanor. Has he mentioned whom you shall wed?”
“No, and that is the worst of it. I do not think he knows, and if I do not set my heart on anyone in a few weeks, I am certain he will sell me off to the highest bidder.”
