"No, but a man can. And Alaric is a man before he's a duke."
"That's where you're wrong. He's a duke first, last, always. It's in his blood, his bones, his very nature. You can dress yourself in silk and jewels, but you'll never be more than a baker playing at being a lady."
Marianne felt the words hit like physical blows, but she kept her chin high. "You're right. I am a baker. I create things, nurture things, feed people. What do you do, Lady Sarah, besides exist decoratively and wait for a title to marry you?"
Sarah's face flushed with anger. "How dare you?"
"I dare because I have nothing to lose. If Alaric chooses duty over love, then he's not the man I thought he was. But if he chooses love, and he has chosen love, then your perfect pedigree and pretty face mean nothing."
"We'll see," Sarah said coldly. "The evening is young."
She swept away, leaving Marianne shaking with anger and hurt. The worst part was the grain of truth in Sarah's words. Could Alaric really give up all this for a life in Hollingford?
"There you are." Alaric appeared, immediately noticing her distress. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Just... it's a lot."
"Someone said something. Who was it?"
"It doesn't matter."
"It does if it upset you. Was it Sarah?"
Marianne's silence was answer enough.
"What did she say?"
"Nothing that wasn't true."
"Marianne..."
"Can we just... not? Not here?"
He studied her face, then nodded. "Come with me."
He led her through the ballroom, out onto a terrace that overlooked the garden. It was cold, but the fresh air was a relief after the overwhelming heat of the ballroom.
"Better?" he asked, wrapping his jacket around her shoulders.
"Yes."
"Now tell me what she said."
"That you're a duke first, last, always. That I'll never be more than a baker playing at being a lady."
"She's wrong."
"Is she? Look at this place, Alaric. This is your world...the grandeur, the tradition, the expectations. Can you really give it up for a bakery in Hollingford?"
"I'm not giving anything up. I'm choosing something better."
"Your aunt, society, everyone expects..."
"I don't care what they expect."
"You say that now, but..."
He kissed her, cutting off her protests and not caring if anyone saw them. When they pulled apart, he kept her close.
