Two
Meredith Halliday glancedsideways at the duke as they strolled through the Danby Castle gardens, praying her tongue would work properly when she was expected to speak. Her brother-in-law’s grandfather hadn’t said a word after ordering her to join him for his afternoon constitutional. She was quite on pins and needles dreading the lecture she expected to receive now that she’d been separated from her sister.
The Duke of Danby was no direct relation to her, but that didn’t stop the patriarch from treating her as any other family member under his protection. He held expectations for his grandchildren—duties that must be fulfilled. Every one of them was expected to marry and fill a nursery.
In that order.
Nonsense was not to be tolerated.
And Meredith had failed to live up to his demands. Her first time on the marriage mart had been a disaster, and she dreaded the thought of ever stepping foot in a London ballroom again.
“I am told a young lady’s first time in Society can be overwhelming.” The duke’s voice startled her. “However, Julian said you met the challenge with an impressive amount of mettle.”
Meredith’s brother-in-law had a tendency to overlook her faults because he was smitten with her sister and would do or say anything to avoid upsetting Felicity. She wet her suddenly dry lips and felt herself grasping for control of her words. “Y-your grandson is t-too k-kind.” Inwardly, she cringed at the shakiness of her voice. Before she continued, she silently reminded herself to slow down. “I was fortunate to have a Season, Your Grace. I am grateful to Julian for making it possible.”
Not only had her brother-in-law financed her Season, he had settled a dowry on her that should have secured her future. Unfortunately, the promise of a small fortune hadn’t been enough to overcome her bumbling.
Every time an eligible gentleman had asked for her dance card, she’d stuttered. Meredith thought she had outgrown her childhood affliction, but it had merely been in slumber, waiting to make her look like a fool.
One evening at the theatre, she had gulped when trying to speak and nearly coughed herself into unconsciousness. Startled, the gentleman had made a quick escape, leaving her to lean on her sister while she’d tried to catch her breath. She could still picture the sneers from the onlookers after she had recovered.
After embarrassing herself on too many occasions, Meredith had become fearful of stumbling over her tongue, so she’d simply smiled when anyone had spoken to her. It hadn’t taken long for her to earn the reputation of being a halfwit. Toward the end, her humiliation had become unbearable, and she’d taken to hiding in the retiring room.
She didn’t believe for one moment the powerful Duke of Danby knew nothing about her foibles. He seemed to have eyes everywhere.
“If I may speak frankly, Your Grace, it is a relief to be at Danby Castle.” Which was pleasingly far from London.
The duke patted her hand where it was resting on his arm as they continued along the wide, grassy path. “The Season is not suited for everyone, Meri.”
And Meredith was not suited for the Season. Furthermore, why should she or anyone expect her to be? She was not a real lady. Her father had been a doctor, and after his death, her mother had taken in sewing while her sister worked as a midwife to support them. Meredith’s lifestyle changed dramatically when Felicity married Julian, but a giraffe in a ball gown was still a giraffe.
“I do so enjoy an afternoon stroll through the gardens,” Danby murmured. “The duchess was especially fond of this section. I think of her every time I pass this way.”
Meredith inhaled the beguiling scent of pink phlox that lined both sides of the pathway. Everywhere she looked, islands of brilliant color dotted the landscape. The delicate lavender petals of the spotted crane’s bill, the striking green feather-like foliage of dog fennel, and white clumps of marsh mallows on the bush created a soothing balm for the soul. “It is a lovely garden, Your Grace.”
The duke’s serene smile eased her fears that he wanted to revisit her blunders in Town, but she couldn’t relax fully until he revealed his true purpose in insisting she walk with him. Danby’s actions were rarely undertaken without calculation, not that she believed he intended any maliciousness. It simply didn’t seem to occur to him that he was not in control of everything and everyone around him.
She didn’t quite have the courage to broach the topic, but he ended her suspense. “Am I to understand you wish to take a governess position?”
She flinched. Her brother-in-law wouldn’t have presented her desire to enter into service in a favorable light. Her sister had been outspoken about her opposition. Meredith didn’t dare hope the duke would take her side in the argument, or even understand.
Felicity was expecting her second child, and she’d seemed insulted when Meredith offered to become the baby’s nurse. Her sister wanted to see her happily married like she was, but Meredith felt one of them needed to be pragmatic. Marriage was not in her future, and she couldn’t expect her brother-in-law to support her forever.
Her fingers twitched on the duke’s arm. “I—I believe I would make a fine governess. I am well versed in arithmetic, literature, Latin, and the arts.”
“Indeed.” Danby’s mouth settled into a firm line.
Her brother-in-law had hired a tutor for her when Felicity fretted over Meredith becoming bored with the lady’s education she’d been receiving. It seemed the duke was aware of her unorthodox studies, and he wasn’t impressed.
“Y-your grandson h-has been very g-generous with me.” Heat rushed into her cheeks as she tripped over her words.
In silence, they followed the path as it wound back toward the house. The duke turned clever eyes in her direction. His weathered face showed the signs of aging, but his mind was as sharp as a young man’s. “What about marriage? Are you not also suited for the position of wife?”
Her gaze dropped to the path as if she was watching for rabbit holes. “I believe my failed Season proves I am not.”
“You are a girl of nineteen, Meredith. Spinsterhood is far away for one so young. You’ve had but one Season.”
He didn’t understand that no matter how many Seasons she had, she would never find a husband. What gentleman wanted a wife who stuttered? Everyone would think he’d married an idiot who would bear him idiot children.
