“You must explain yourself further,” Duncan urged.
“For one thing, do you not find it so odd that you were the one who saved me from the water all those years ago, and now, we are here, married to each other,” Sophia pointed out, biting down on her lip.
“Indeed. It is a strange coincidence, but it is just that, a coincidence,” the Duke maintained.
“There were so many women you could have ended up married to. Why was it that we ended up speaking that day at the ball? Surely, it has to mean something.”
Duncan observed Sophia for a long moment as though he was trying to make sense of what she had just said to him.
“When you put into perspective like that, I see what you mean. Of course, it is an extraordinary coincidence that the two of us crossed paths like this.” His tone had gotten softer.
“An extraordinary coincidence,” Sophia repeated, “or it was already written.”
“I suppose it sounds a lot more romantic when you put it like that,” he laughed. “For that reason alone, I will concur with you. It must have been fate, after all.”
“I thought you said that you were not much of a romantic, Your Grace?” Sophia teased, her eyes shining mischievously.
“Perhaps I was not one until I met you,” he replied, and Sophia nearly melted.
“You surely know all the right words to say, don’t you?”
Duncan chuckled in response. “I suppose it comes naturally to me when I am in the company of a pretty lady like yourself.”
“Tell me…” Sophia’s eyes flickered with curiosity. “…were you equally as smooth when you spoke to other ladies before our union?”
Duncan scoffed as though Sophia had uttered something entirely offensive.
“That is hard to say.”
“Is it hard to say because it is true?” Sophia questioned, feeling a sudden pang of jealousy.
“Quite the opposite.” He took her hand firmly into his own. “It is hard to say because I have never wanted to smooth talk a lady before this. You bring this side of me out in the open, and frankly, it is new for me.”
Sophia instantly felt stupid for feeling jealous. She gave his hand a gentle squeeze in return.
“All of this is new to me as well,” she noted in agreement. “I mean, our wedding was so rushed that we did not have a courtship period. That’s when the romance truly happens, or so I have been told. I do not have any experience with romantic relationships before you, either.”
“That makes it all the more special, does it not?” Duncan said softly. “The fact that the two of us are on this journey together for the first time, not having been jaded by love’s betrayal in the past.”
“It makes up for the fact that we have been jaded in other ways,” Sophia commented, causing the Duke to laugh out loud.
“I suppose that is one way to phrase it, my dear,” he replied, “but you do not have to carry your burdens alone any longer. You have someone to share them with.”
Sophia was touched by his words. When he looked at her, she saw someone whom she could trust. She felt that she was the luckiest woman alive at that moment.
“The same goes for you. I hope you share with me whatever it is that troubles you. When we first met, I remember you saying to me that both of us are similar in that our lives are discussed by the ton frequently.”
“That has amplified since then, if anything,” Duncan chuckled. “I can only imagine what they must be saying now that we are married to one another.”
“Oh, I’m sure they are praying for our downfall,” Sophia muttered, irked.
“It is a good thing then that not all prayers go answered. Especially not ones that are made with ill intent,” the Duke assured her. “We have nothing to worry about.”
“You seem to have a lot of faith in our relationship, Your Grace,” Sophia commented, surprise coloring her tone.
“I have always prided myself in my ability to judge people. I am almost never wrong. The first day I met you, I could tell that there is something… genuine about you,” the Duke admitted earnestly.
“That’s quite the high praise,” Sophia replied, “but I do feel the same way about you. Many people in your position would bedrunk on their power and think of themselves as being above everyone else, but you’ve always treated me as your equal. I appreciate that greatly.”
