Page 40 of The Scarlet Lady's Duke of Desire
James started to object but before he could, she added, "It is a perfect match, and it is what everybody wants."
Through gritted teeth, James asked, "Is it whatyouwant?"
Lady Florence looked back at him with an unreadable expression. For several seconds she was silent. Then, she sighed and said, "I only want what is best for all involved."
Though James was disgusted by the entire conversation, he also couldn't help but admire Lady Florence a little. Her sheer determination was something to respect.
"Our match would be an advantageous one for all involved," she continued. "I am certain we are both like-minded in that sense and neither of us need pretend it is anything but an arrangement, at least, behind closed doors."
What she was suggesting sickened James though again, he felt an odd sense of newfound respect for the woman. Her honesty and her determination clearly knew no bounds.
Yet, he still opened his mouth to assure her it would never happen. Before he could do so, Lady Florence dipped into a curtsey and with a smirk said, "Good day, Your Grace. I shall leave you to think it over."
Dumbfounded, all James could do was watch her leave. Conflicting thoughts spun around and around in his head until he felt dizzy.
Dropping back down in his chair, he gestured for his butler to see Lady Florence out. Then, he yelled, "Dennis!"
His valet came running as if he had been waiting just outside the room.
"Your grace?" The older man dipped his head and looked prepared for anything.
"Find out all you can about Mr Andrew Colton Junior."
Whether Lady Florence was right or not, he could not deny the protective urge that gripped him whenever he thought of any other man close to Miss Thornton. If there was anything to find, he would find it.
Chapter 20
Lady Florence’s visit had left Melody reeling and even when Mr Colton was gone that evening, she still couldn’t get her head around all that had happened. Several times she thought of going to tell Petunia across the street but what good would that do? Then she would have to explain that she felt sick to her stomach at the thought of Lady Florence and The Duke of Haston tying the knot.
Instead, she snuck off up to her bedroom once more and hoped that her parents wouldn’t insist upon her joining them for dinner. She would much prefer a small supper in her room without the effort of having to explain how she was feeling.
When there was a knock upon her door, she was immediately aware of the fact it was not that of one of the maids. It was much too forceful and yet still quite feminine.
Bile rose in the back of her throat. She knew exactly who had come to her. Her mother.
Forcing back the tears that had been threatening for the last few hours, she wandered over to the door and pulled it open.
The moment she saw her mother’s face, she knew she wasn’t going to like the news she had brought with her. She looked much too happy for a woman who had been crushed beneath the shadow of scandal for the entirety of her marriage. In fact, the last few weeks, Melody was certain her mother had been much happier.
Though it was sort of a relief, it also worried Melody. Whatever had made her so happy could be quite easily taken away again, she was certain of it. She had felt it herself in her newfound experience with the duke.
Stop thinking of him!She snapped at herself even as she stepped out of the way to gesture her mother inside.
“What has happened, mama?” Melody asked, noticing that her mother was not yet ready for dinner either. Whatever had happened had clearly distracted her from her usual routine.
Scowling back at her, her mother clicked the door closed behind her and demanded, “How do you know that anything has happened?”
“Your smile is far too broad for something not to have happened,” Melody pointed out, gesturing to the smile that still played on the corners of her lips even though she was trying to hold her frown.
“Oh! I cannot contain it!” her mother said with elation, gripping hold of Melody by the arms in a way that made her jump. “I promised your father I would not say anything, but I cannot stop myself!”
Melody’s skin crawled. If it was something she was willing to betray the love of her life for, Melody knew that it had to be something big.
“What is it, mama?”
Even as she asked the question, she felt her knees growing weak.Has the duke done therightthing?She thought grimly, wondering whether news had finally reached their small corner of London.
“Mr Colton remained to speak with your father after he left you this afternoon,” her mother explained, and Melody’s throat constricted. She already didn’t like where this was going. “He asked for your father’s blessing to ask for your hand!”
