Page 41 of The Brooding Duke's Fateful Letter
“Will your daughter be joining us?” he asked, not enjoying how much the thought caused him dismay.
“That all depends on how the courtship is going, Your Grace,” Lord Wentworth said in an asking manner.
“I am happy you asked, Lord Wentworth. I would like to ask permission to ask your daughter to marry me,” the duke said almost immediately, glad he had gotten to say it.
“You have my blessing, Your Grace. If your intention is to marry my daughter, then she may stay here with you until my return,” Lord Wentworth had said with a smile. They shook hands, and the duke was then on his way to find the perfect ring.
He had burst out laughing when the plan to have it inscribed to do it had formed. When the jeweler had asked if he had needed further assistance, he had said that he did not. He had then gone straight to Lord Wentworth and asked how his daughter’s name was spelled.
I have had this woman in my house. She is to be my wife and I can not seem to spell her name! He had seemed to accept that he had wanted to be clear on the proper spelling of her name and had written it down for him. The very next morning, he had made sure it was done.
They got close to where the duke had a private tea set up near the fountain. He had sent his servants to set it that morning before they had left. He kept the ring in his pocket, in case the perfect time came to ask her officially to be his betrothed. He was not sure if he would want to go on another voyage so soon. It would be different from going by carriage, more comfortable and luxurious.
The duke and Lady Bethany walked a while longer until they reached their destination.
“Oh, my!” she exclaimed, as he moved ahead to pull her chair out for her. “You arranged this, Your Grace?” She sounded very impressed and it made him smile. “Your Grace, you spoil me. I only wish that I could be half as kind to you as you have been to me,” she said with such heartbreaking conviction that he felt sympathy for her.
His intentions had not been to make her feel bought or guilty. He had meant it as a way of showing he could care for her.
“My Lady, I want you to know that I can take care of you. Also that I care for you deeply. Please tell me what I can do to alleviate your concerns,” he replied, meaning every word. Not using sentiments as a means to get a woman’s sympathy. That was lying and he could not condone that, ever!
“I cannot ask any more of you, Your Grace,” Lady Bethany said with almost equal concern as what he had showed her earlier.
“I must ask, my lady, if you at all have feelings for me?” He needed to know for certain how she felt about him. Each time he was in her company he wanted to find any means that would give him the right time to ask her for her hand in marriage. If there was a chance that she did not feel about him at least almost as much, then this would not work after all.
“I have very fond feelings for you as well, Your Grace,” she said softly. A gentle smile played on her lips.
“Do you think that you may be happy with me, My Lady? It is a massive decision to leave home and to start your own life. I would prefer you to tell me now rather than live unhappily for years.”
“It is a big decision, Your Grace. Only it is a choice most people our age are required to make,” she said in a matter-of-fact way.
“That is correct, My Lady. The point is that I would like you to be happy. If that means that you are to be with someone else, so be it. If on the other hand you find that you wish to be with me, I will expect the same loyalty.” He spoke in a clear and concise manner.
“That would be an agreement I would be comfortable with, Your Grace.” His words did not send her into the panic he was used to seeing from women. The same words he had just spoken to her, he had asked less from a woman and she could not keep up her end.
She is too agreeable. She must have something she does not want me to discover! He thought as he watched her carefully. She should have had issue with at least one thing by now, yet all she does is adore everything. Am I doing the right thing? Perhaps I should call the proposal off? No, I can not be without her!
Chapter 15
There was no need for the duke to have gone to so much trouble. She did not need gifts and nice things. She valued being treated well. Something he had been doing since they had met. She felt that her commitment was as deep as his was. The only difference was that he had the bravery to confess his secrets while hers kept her up at night.
She could not go into a marriage on lies. The problem was that she had learned from an early age that some things are better kept secret. She could remember when she had been six and had told her best friend a secret. It had been a small one. The friendship had ended soon after that. It had hurt her for years, shaped how she viewed relationships as a whole. The pain it would cause her to lose the duke was too great to risk.
Would it be so terrible to enjoy what we have? To not want to ruin it? She tried to find some justification for her actions. The duke had become quiet all of a sudden. Charlotte looked at him only to see that he had a murderous expression on his face.
“Your Grace, have I said something to displease you?” She was utterly confused.
“No, my lady.” He looked like he was trying to regain control of his emotions. Charlotte wished she knew what had changed his demeanor so rapidly.
Does he already know what I keep from him and now it angers him that I do not confess? Charlotte thought.
“Let me show you what I have brought for us,” he said, going under their table to retrieve a large woven basket. He lifted the lid and looked inside. First, he put a plate in the middle of the table. He put his hand in the basket, then the other to retrieve fruit to put on the plate.
Once the plate had a good selection, he moved on to the selection of cheeses. After that came the cakes and preserved meats. “May I serve you a selection, My Lady?” The duke asked before he went to unpack the cutlery.
“Thank you, Your Grace.” She replied. She took note of how he enjoyed preparing a plate for her instead of doing it out of duty.
He might have a passion for food. It is one that might be viewed as more of a woman’s activity. I do not care as long as it makes him happy and does not hurt anyone. Charlotte had decided before it was even discussed if her assumption was correct. She came to his defense, whether it was against others or herself. She would not allow him to be broken down.
