It was Barbara, and she looked like she had been looking for him.
“Can you blame me, Your Grace? So much has changed since the last time we saw each other. While before I would always find you by yourself, now you are always in the company of that…” Barbara gritted her teeth. “Lady Sophia.”
Duncan rolled his eyes at her. Her bitterness was no surprise to him.
“Yes. She is my wife,” he reminded her.
“But why did you have to rush into it? It took you only a few weeks to make the wedding a reality. You did not need to do this. The scandal would have died out eventually when the ton would have found something new to discuss. You did not need to sign your life away in exchange for just making a rumor go away!”
The frustration in her voice was evident.
“I see that this your opinion,” Duncan replied, keeping a polite tone at all times.
Even though Barbara was irritating, he was still a gentleman.
“Why, some people were even trying to insinuate that your marriage was one based on love…”
Barbara scoffed.
The Duke raised an eyebrow in her direction, curious to know how far she would push her argument but growing more annoyed at the same time.
“Love? In our society that is heavily obsessed with appearances? Your Grace, forgive me, but I am at least a bit cynical.”
Duncan noticed how she was holding back from saying more. He was sure that she must have a rude comment prepared about Sophia’s scars, but she dared not make it in his presence.
“Your cynicism does nothing to change the situation. Duchess Sophia and I are very happy with each other,” Duncan told her firmly.
Barbara was unrelenting, so instead she leaned in closer.
“Does Duchess Sophia — does she fully comprehend the responsibilities that come with being a duchess?” she asked.
Duncan’s patience snapped, his tone firm and resolute. “Duchess Sophia is more than capable, and our marriage is none of your concern.
Barbara, satisfied with the tension she had stirred, smiled back at him.
“Oh, I should tell you that the ton will be watching your love story closely. I do hope it doesn’t unravel too quickly.”
“Once again, it is none of your concern,” the Duke snapped.
“Does it really have to be this way?” she inquired. “It is still quite early on. If you decide that something better can be done, then I am sure there are steps you can take…”
Duncan was appalled by her audacity. Was she implying that he should divorce Duchess Sophia?
“You are uttering nonsense now,” Duncan admonished her, “and frankly, I do not have any time for it. I wish you a good evening.”
“No, wait,” Lady Barbara pleaded. “There are things that even you do not know about her. I only worry for you as her being in your life will be bad for you. The curse…”
“Enough.” Duncan put his foot down, leaving no room for argument. “I will not listen to another word of you trying to defame Duchess Sophia like this.”
“But Your Grace —”
“Enough.”
He stormed away from there. Lady Barbara had not taken the news of his marriage well, and he knew that he was going to have to keep an eye out for her in the future.
That woman was not right in the head, and now, more than ever before, he needed to steer clear from her.
CHAPTER 18
