Page 44 of The Scarlet Lady's Duke of Desire
"Is it something to do with Miss Thornton?" Lady Fyling demanded. "Would it shock you out of this folly to know the two of them are to be married?"
The news did indeed shock James though not at all in the way his aunt had likely wanted. His stomach twisted painfully and the images her words conjured up were enough to make him sick.
"It is of no consequence to me," James assured his aunt. "I wish Miss Thornton a perfectly happy life, no matter what she wishes."
The words tried to stick in his throat, and he had to force every one of them out.
"You are not upset by this news?" Lady Fyling asked, looking quite surprised.
"Why? Should I be?" James asked, cocking an eyebrow but otherwise keeping his expression unreadable.
Miss Thornton had entirely refused every attempt he had made to try and speak with her over the last few days. He could not blame her, not after his inappropriate behaviour when last they had met, but his heart still ached at the news. Though he could not say entirely why. Thoughts of her left him confused and conflicted in all manner of ways. Perhaps it was a good idea for her to be married. Maybe then he could forget all about her entirely, knowing she was safe and well cared for.
Would she be?That question resurfaced several times while he tried his hardest to bat it back down. He shoved it away as hard as he possibly could, knowing his aunt would never appreciate his feelings on the matter, nor would anyone else.
"If you are not, then you should prove it," Lady Fyling stated. She straightened her back and met his gaze as though she would not be cowed even though what she was about to say would clearly upset him. "Prove you have no fondness for the girl and marry the cousin who has been making all of our lives difficult."
James' insides twisted. The suggestion sickened him further. Just thinking on the woman who had stood before him and made her intentions clear made him want to run away from the entire conversation with his aunt.
Instead, he sucked in a deep breath and conceded, "Aunt, I shall agree to begin taking courtship and marriage seriously but one thing I shall not do is favour Lady Florence. I shall not put any more weight behind these rumours."
Lady Fyling opened her mouth as if to protest. Then, she closed it again quickly, looking as though she had gained at least a little sense on when not to push him too far.
Bracing himself for what he knew was about to be a bumpy ride, he said, "Lady Fyling, I give my permission for you to begin your matchmaking. Find me a match worthy of being the Duchess of Haston."
Even as he said the words, one face in particular popped into his head. Just as quickly, he thought,she is unattainable now.
And though the thought devastated him beyond all imagining, beyond anything he would ever admit to another living individual, he would not allow it to stop him from moving on with his life. In fact, perhaps it was the one thing his aunt could truly thank for finally getting her what she wanted.
"You shall not regret this!" Lady Fyling declared but James scoffed silently. He wasn't so sure.
Chapter 24
Melody had to admit that she did find some enjoyment in discussing what her wedding would look like. Though she was not entirely in love with the idea of whom she would be standing with upon the alter, she could at least enjoy the simpler things like picking the flowers, designing the invitations, and even choosing her own wedding dress.
Though she hated the frivolity of many of the young ladies of theton, she did have to agree that every woman deserved to feel like a princess upon her wedding day.
She could only hope she would feel that way with Mr Colton standing opposite her.
"What about this?" Petunia asked as they looked over the different lace tulles that were on offer at the modiste's shop. For the first time in several days, her mother had allowed her a moment's breathing room to go shopping with Petunia and her mother. The woman appeared much less upset about her daughter's association with her now that she was engaged. Though every so often, she found the woman glowering at her disapprovingly.
Melody wondered whether the rest of thetonmight begin to be a little more forgiving, though she did not hold her breath.
"It is beautiful," Melody responded, only half looking at the floral lace pattern her friend was holding up, while Mrs Blackford stood talking with the modiste's assistant about where the modiste herself had gotten to.
Melody had already located her.
Just through a curtain at the back of the shop, Melody could see glimpses of the woman fitting a familiar lady for a gown while she stood upon the pedestal.
Ordinarily, Melody would not have batted an eyelid but for the fact it was her cousin. Not only that, but she had overheard something terrible.
"Lady Fyling suggests that her nephew finally seems to be crumbling," Lady Florence announced.
"Really?" Came a feminine voice though the owner of it was out of view of Melody, and she did not recognise it. "Then do you think your plan should work?"
"Hush!" Lady Florence exclaimed, darting her head around to the other woman, Melody guessed likely a friend.
She watched her cousin offer the modiste a quick glance. As if the woman sensed her discomfort, the modiste got up from where she had been pinning the hem of her skirt and said, "Allow me a moment to fetch more pins."
