She decided to flounce out of the room with a strong, “Oh!” her skirts swishing dramatically against the doorframe, the echoing tap of her traveling boots punctuating her exit. Tears filled her eyes but thankfully didn’t fall until the coach was taking her away from the most irascible and enticing man in her world.
The Duke chuckled, the sound rich and deep like aged brandy, if descriptions of brandy were to be believed. She would never taste it. Oliver was uncouth. A blackguard. A rogue with eyes that followed her retreat like a predator tracking its prey. She squirmed like a trapped rabbit.
The carriage wheels rattled beneath her, each turn carrying Lilli further from the weekend’s gathering and deeper into her thoughts. Another invitation card sat unopened in her reticule. Amelia’s wedding. The third wedding this season.
Her fingers traced the embroidery on her gloves; the ones Oliver had complimented with such precise observation. “The violet thread matches your eyes exactly when you laugh,” he’d said, noticing what no one else ever had.
But then there was his frown when she’d refused to eat the sauerkraut at dinner. She had chosen only a few things to eat, regardless of the items he put on her plate. She had generously helped herself to the dessert tray. It was more enticing than the dinner, even though Oliver had frowned and whispered she hadbetter eat well at breakfast. And then was sitting in wait for her at breakfast to monitor her food choices.
Then there was the way he’d guided her away from Lord Edmund’s political circle with a firm hand at her back. “A duke’s wife must be above reproach,” he’d whispered, his breath warm against her ear, sending unwelcome shivers down her spine. He was close enough to kiss her. “You must always be cognizant of your reputation.”
Wife? The word both thrilled and terrified her. She pictured herself in his grand home, respected and adored—then saw herself silenced at his table to remain above reproach.
“Then I suppose you had better find your wife and tell her of your restrictive rules for I shall not be that woman.”
Then his low, earth shattering response. “You are the only woman I would take to wife. And as I must take a wife, I have chosen you.”
“Well, I have not chosen you,” she had said.Entitled aristocrat. And yet…
“It will happen, my darling. It will happen.” He had kissed her cheek and sauntered off. He hadn’t even asked for a dance. Not that she had any left, but he should have asked.
The carriage slowed. Home already? Lilli’s hand hesitated on the door handle. Tomorrow would Oliver call again? Tomorrow would she need to decide her course?
“Milady?” The footman extended his hand, waiting.
She was exhausted from mentally running away from Oliver, then running to him. It was more than she wanted to continue.He is too strict and has too many expectations.Curtailing her freedoms and independence would be something he could do without effort if she gave over to him.
To date, he had not shown he could be more than indulgent at times within his boundaries, not hers. Would he allow her the freedom she craves? Allow her independence of thought? Wouldhe respect her opinion and act on it? She sighed inwardly. He was a duke and was likely used to always getting his way. He would expect it. No, it would never work.
She was home, and the time to dwell on her duke was coming to an end. He would find a woman that didn’t challenge him, gave him all the children he desired, looked elegant on his arm, and didn’t break any rules. That was not her.So,no matter what he said, the future would not include the two of them.
Resigned to the inevitable, Lilli accepted the proffered hand to alight the carriage. With a deep breath that settled nothing, Lilli stepped down and walked into her grandmother’s house, her mind still fully occupied.
“Grandmother, I cannot abide Oliver Weston. He is not to be born. You must do something to stop him from interfering in my life. Do you know he threatened to… well, it is of little consequence. I will not tolerate such high-handedness. Do you realize that he takes great pride in behaving as though he is my protector? No, keeper. My lord. And he says I will be his. When I tell him it is ludicrous, he stares calmly as though I am but a child. He does not heed my words, Gran. He appears to listen at times, but it is inconsequential, for he continues as he began. It is intolerable. He will not do.”
Lady St. Matthews offered a bland and slightly sympathetic face to her granddaughter. “My dear, I don’t know what you mean. What enjoyment? If it is beyond the pale, then I shall send him a message to cease at once. Stop fretting and let’s have our tea.”
Lilli poured her grandmother’s tea and then her own. “It isn’t the specifics that I am infuriated about, although several times he has demanded I change my activity because he demands it. No, it is the mere fact that he interjects himself into whatever I am doing. I do not have that bother when he is not present.”
“Well, I suppose it would make sense as when he is there, he is and when he isn’t he cannot do or say anything to you.” Lady Elizabeth shook her head slowly. “I can inquire as to the invitees and if he is on the list, you can decline to go but I fear it will make for a very light engagement calendar. He is an unattached duke and as such, surely to make everyone’s list of guests. He is a rare breed, especially in the country.”
Lilli sighed. “I’m sure that is true. And if I decline an invitation, the hostesses will likely take it as a slight. We don’t want that.”
“Indeed, we do not.” Her gran patted her hand lying in her lap.
“So, what am I to do, then?”
“Do? Would the adage ‘kill them with kindness’ work?” asked her grandmother.
Lilli reached for a cake. “That would mean to engage him in my life. I don’t believe he would be happy if he weren’t chastising me in some manner.”
“Chastising?”
“Grandmother, are you not listening? He inserts himself into everything I do while attending these parties.”
“Yes, I heard you, but chastising? That isn’t very specific dear. You will need to be more precise.”
Lilli sighed. “Never mind. It is what it is. I shall just have to find a way to ignore him.”
