Page 62 of The Scarlet Lady's Duke of Desire
To have Mr Colton call off the engagement was one thing but to entirely disappear before that had even been announced perhaps far worse. It left far too many questions. In a way, Melody thought perhaps it was even worse than being left at the altar.Scandal shall follow me forever after this.
Chapter 31
“There is Miss Blackford, pretty and a little witty though perhaps a little lacking in grace,” Lady Fyling said sitting in James’ drawing room just a few days after his visit from Mr Colton. And to speak to her, it was as if nothing untoward had ever taken place, not the scandal with Lady Florence, or his encounter with Miss Thornton, or even the gentleman’s visit. Of course, were she to know about all of that, he was certain she would have something to say about it.
A part of James even wished she did know about it all because maybe then she might talk of something other than matchmaking. Yet, he forced himself to muster through, only half-listening as his aunt reeled on.
“There’s also the Renworth sisters though I would suggest the younger not the older and I am not certain that Lord Renworth would allow the younger to marry before the older,” Lady Fyling continued. To look at her, James might have imagined she wasn’t talking to him but simply listing options to herself as though thinking out loud. “And, of course, Lady Gwendaline Melmont.”
James could picture them all and though many of them were beautiful and would likely make excellent brides for someone, not a one of them was for him.
“Though I still happen to believe that Lady Florence Thornton would be the best match not only for yourself but for the station of duchess,” Lady Fyling stated and out of the corner of his eye James saw her watching him, as if looking for some reaction.
Trying his hardest to keep his expression from showing his true feelings, he responded, “I shall not entertain the idea of Lady Florence, not after all she tried to do.”
He was surprised at the way his aunt seemed to accept that. She simply nodded and continued reeling off name after name, with not a one of them catching his attention.
The more he sat there, the more he felt his focus slipping. And it continued on and on until he could take it no more. Every time he thought she finished, she would begin speaking again and the frustration within would grow.
“Enough! Aunt, I cannot take this a moment longer.”
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his aunt straighten up in shock. “Pardon me?”
Clenching his jaw, James lifted his gaze to look at his aunt and looked her in the eye. “I have heard every one of your suggestions a thousand times over and still not a one of the ladies you have placed before me is acceptable.”
His aunt’s face twisted, and she looked as though she might scold him. Instead, she appeared to force a smile and said, “You shall learn to like at least the one of them.”
James’ hands tightened into fists until even his short nails dug into his palms. “I do not want to have to learn to like one of them. I wish for a marriage I actuallywantto be in.”
At that, his aunt cocked her head. Shaking it, she asked, “How many noblemen do you know who found themselves a love match?”
James’ heart skipped a beat.Love?All this time could that possibly be what he had been feeling?
“James, it is time to stop and think and finally grow up,” his aunt said but James barely heard her.
He slammed his hands palm down on the desk in front of him and shook his head. “Aunt, I thank you for your time and effort in trying to find me a wife, but I do believe I have found her for myself.”
His aunt’s dark eyes flew wide with astonishment. Her lips quivered as if she was unsure of what to say as James jumped to his feet.
“Pardon me?” she said again.
“You need not trouble yourself any further,” James assured her, placing his papers back into a pile on his desk. He no longer needed the mountain of invitations that had been decorating his workspace for the last few days. They had only been sent with the intentions of ensnaring him and he had no need to be ensnared now.
“I do believe I have already made up my mind on who I shall marry.”
Skirting around the desk, prepared to leave, James was surprised at how quickly his aunt came to stand before him. Though she was only petite and slightly hunchbacked, she blocked his path expertly, using her walking cane to aid her. James imagined her tripping him all too easily with her cat-like reflexes.
“You must tell me! Who?”
Smirking, James gripped hold of his aunt by her upper arms and exclaimed, “You shall have to wait and see.”
Leaning forwards, he pressed his lips to his aunt’s cheek, kissing her for perhaps the first time since he was a child.
“Thank you, Aunt, for irritating me enough into making a decision,” James said only half-joking. “I do believe I shall finally have what I have been looking for.”
“James Jacob Hastings, you come back here at once and tell me exactly what you mean to do!” Lady Fyling yelled after him but James was already on his way out of the door.
As he went, he couldn’t help but wonder,can I truly marry the daughter of a scandal?
