“Celine, even if she wanted someone to love her, surely she wouldn’t want me. She’s set to become a duchess; she was born to be a duchess. I’m a bastard, running a gaming hell, extorting her father.”
“It is not extortion if he brought it on himself.”
“I think your English is lacking in this case.”
“My English is always perfect, as is everything else I undertake.”
“You’re right. What was I thinking?”
“I have no idea. And you must stop speaking of yourself like that. You are the smartest man I’ve ever met. You are fiercely loyal to an unappreciative family. And now that I have taught you, you are not an unfortunate lover. She would be lucky to have a man such as you.”
“Wait… I was an excellent lover before we met, and I’ve only improved from there.”
“If you say so.” She sounded less than sincere, and if we weren’t having such a profound discussion, I might have pressed her on that further.
“None of that changes the fact that I can’t give her what she deserves. I have no title to offer her, no name that anyone would want.”
“You insist she is a duchess in all but the title. Have you asked her if she wants the title?”
“Of course, she wants the title. Everyone wants the title.” The most fundamental truth of my life.
“But, you said yourself, she is not like anyone you’ve ever met.” She paused, “What did you say her name was again?”
“Lady Juliet Dalton.”
“And she is engaged to?”
“Rose— Oh, damnation.” Her late husband’s brother was the very same Alexander Hasket, Duke of Rosehill. “Cee, I am so sorry. I should not have involved you in this. Would you believe I forgot?”
“I would be more shocked if you remembered. For a man who makes his living off the gentry, you have a terrible time remembering the titles.”
“Celine…”
“Well, that does answer some questions.”
“What?”
“The necessity of payment, of course. In the business of marriage, the money typically travels to the bridegroom, not the other way around.” That confirmed the needling thought I had when Dalton mentioned the name.
“So, the rumors are true then?” Her response was little more than a noncommittal shrug.
“There are men who would make worse husbands. If the match goes through, he will be kind and treat her well. Likely better than her father, at least.”
“I wanted to ask you for advice. That seems wrong now.”
Her eyes narrowed at me, contemplating. “That is for the best, I suppose.”
“Regardless, thank you, Celine. Truly. I’m going to miss you terribly.”
“I will miss you as well. I hope you will come to me if you need anything or if your Lady Juliet needs anything.”
“Celine, that is too much to ask.”
“You are not asking; I am offering. You would do the same for me without hesitation, and you know it. Besides, I believe you’ve inspired me to try to find love again. It will be different from what I had with Gabriel, but why should that mean it is not worth finding?”
My throat was thick with emotion. I had no words to offer anyway. I wanted that for her desperately. I pressed my lips to her forehead in lieu of empty promises. She, in turn, pressed a final kiss to my cheek in turn with a bittersweet smile. I bowed my head to her one final time before I crossed the threshold of the chambers.
Ten
