“I understand,” His Grace said.
He sounded utterly unmoved. It was fortunate for the Duke that he was handsome, for he seemed entirely lacking in all other charms.
“It is that matter which has prompted my visit, as you may have guessed,” the Duke of Wheelton continued. “Having given thematter considerable thought, it is apparent that I must marry your sister. So, I am here to offer my hand in marriage.”
Bridget knew the reality of her situation, but that was not reason enough to abandon her quest for true love—especially not for this man, who wanted to marry her simply because he was unable to tolerate a little gossip! No, the man she married would love her. He would be like a hero in the romances of old, chivalric and hopelessly devoted to her.
“Is that truly necessary?” Elias asked.
“I believe it is,” His Grace said. “Perhaps you have not heard the whispers of theton, but many are insisting that I have disgraced your sister by rescuing her. It is easy to see why given what occurred with her skirts.”
“The gossip will surely die down,” Dorothy offered.
“Not soon,” the duke said. “So I am here to make things right.”
Bridget’s face burned with fury. He wished to offer his hand, did he? Over her dead body!
CHAPTER 4
Silence followed.
Lewis, the Duke of Wheelton, waited and waited. His eyes swept over the room’s other occupants: the beautiful and ruined Lady Bridget, whose face was flushed with either anger or embarrassment—he could not tell which; her sister Dorothy, the elegant Duchess of Greenway; and her brother Elias, the Duke of Reeds, standing tensely and gazing at Lewis with an anxious expression.
Their reactions ranged from outraged to startled. Lewis had anticipated at least a little gratitude, but he found none.
Well, then.
He cleared his throat. “I had rather hoped that I would come here, make my proposal, and go about my day. Given that I have received no answer from you, Reeds, I shall assume that your silence is a confirmation.”
“It is not,” Elias said, sounding thoughtful.
Really?
Lewis forced his face to remain neutral, so as to conceal the frustration rising within him. There was no reason for Elias to refuse a very generous offer, but it seemed as though he was irrationally insistent upon it.
In Lewis’s mind, it was simple. He was offering to marry the twice-disgraced Leedway sister, so thetonwould cease their gossip about the incident at the lake. In marrying Bridget, Lewis would not only restore his reputation but also have a duchess. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement. Anyone could see that.
“I see,” Lewis said dryly. “I should think that is the obvious solution to resolving the dilemma. I doubt that you will receive any better offer.”
“Perhaps not,” Elias said. “But my sister’s marriage is not something that I take lightly. We need time to consider your offer.”
Lewis forced down the rising tide of frustration. Elias’s request was irritating, but reasonable. “Very well.”
Lady Bridget glared at Lewis, all fire and defiance. When Lady Bridget agreed to marry him—as she inevitably would—Lewis would have to addressthat. The young lady had already proven that she was no stranger to scandals, and he saw in thatexpression a certain fierceness that would need to be managed. Fire was unpredictable, and the lady would need some order and discipline to make her a worthy duchess. He could provide both.
“I would rather that you show an ounce of grace,” Lady Bridget said heatedly.
“Offering my hand in marriage is sufficient grace for you,” he replied. “I could simply abandon you.”
Lady Bridget curled her hands into fists, even as the Duchess of Greenway placed a gentle, comforting hand on her shoulder.
It would not be the first time, after all. We all know what Lord Fourton did.
“Enough!” Elias said. “There is no need to speak to my sister in such a manner.”
Lewis raised an eyebrow, silently weighing the other man’s will against his own. He did not know Elias especially well, and from what he had learned in the past few minutes, the Duke of Reeds would do well to pay more mind to his sister’s behavior. Two scandals in two Seasons? An utter failure on his part as well as the young lady’s.
He knew that nothing untoward had happened between himself and Lady Bridget, even if thetonperceived that there had been, but based on her behavior, Lewis strongly suspected that Lady Bridget was at least partially responsible for what had happenedat the lake. It was easy to imagine a young lady like her provoking Lady Susan and causing the other woman to lash out.
