He supposed from a certain perspective he’d made a disaster of the evening meal.
He also supposed that certain perspective would belong to the duchess.
But he couldn’t regret it.
He’d only spoken words left too long inside.
Words the duchess needed to hear.
Words Artemis needed to hear, too.
She’d sat there while her mother had compared her unfavorably to Gwyneth, and he hadn’t been able to bear it.
If Artemis had rolled her eyes or defended herself, perhaps he would have kept his mouth shut.
But she’d sat there so quietly, so resigned, with her eyes cast down.
Realization had hit Bran with the force of cannon shot at close range.
Artemis was accustomed to such treatment from her mother.
Nay, nottreatment.
Abuse.
Bran hadn’t been able to stomach it.
Artemis deserved better—and she deserved more.
He hadn’t sought to defend her.
She’d done nothing wrong; she didn’t need a defense.
But she was a diamond.
And she deserved to shine.
Light her mother had denied her.
Behind his head, his hands clenched into fists and released.
Artemis was all that was good in the world.
But the duchess wasn’t the sort of person who could see that. All she saw were the superficialities of a person and how those superficialities fit into the hierarchy of thehaut ton. The trappings that comprised one’s exterior—title, wealth, and physical appearance—were to be of use. Therefore, the trappings one lacked must be compensated for. So, for example, if a lady lacked wealth, then she must have beauty and a title.
But the thing was, Artemis had it all—title, wealth, and beauty. Further, she hadmore—kindness, generosity, intelligence, ready humor.
That the duchess couldn’t see this, or worse, saw it and chose not to value it, was a crime.
A crime committed against Artemis.
And Bran hadn’t been able to stand for it.
Every word he’d uttered, he’d meant.
And there were yet more words he meant to speak, for he had reached a decision. On the morrow, he would request a private meeting with Rakesley and offer for Artemis.
Like he should have done ten years ago.
