Yes, you are,Susan thought, though she didn’t say anything aloud—she knew better than to think Marina would listen.You’re my sister. You are worth everything I have to give.
The Duke looked up when they entered the dining room. His eyes fixed immediately upon Susan.
She nearly froze where she stood. She was sure, for a moment, that a reprimand was coming. He would scold them for coming to breakfast late. At the very least, he would ask where they had been in a tone that would make it clear he disapproved.
But he didn’t.
He didn’t speak at all. He just looked at her. And after a moment, the wary feeling in the pit of Susan’s stomach gave way to something else altogether—intrigue.
Why did he always look at her that way? He had done the same thing when she had first arrived at the estate, but she had assumed then that the look had had something to do with the way she’d spoken to him. She hadn’t even said anything this morning, though, so why was he staring at her as if she was something shocking?
He broke the silence as she took her seat. “I’d like us to go for a walk in the garden today, Lady Susan, to get to know one another a bit.”
It was a reasonable request, and Susan didn’t think she had any grounds for refusal. Besides, shewasinterested in spending a little more time with the man who was to be her husband. She was curious about him. She wanted to know him better.
He misunderstood her hesitation. “We’ll have a chaperone, of course,” he said. “I’ll speak to a member of my staff about accompanying us. And perhaps your sister would like to join us too?”
“Oh, no, Marina doesn’t want to follow us around all morning,” Susan said.
Marina shot her a sharp glare. Susan knew perfectly well that her sister would have been only too happy to come along for something like this. But after their conversation this morning,she didn’t know if she could trust Marina not to sabotage the arrangement. For better or for worse, Susan had made her decision when it came to the Duke, and she intended to follow through with that choice.
“If you can have someone accompany us as a chaperone, I’ll be happy to come on a walk with you,” she said, trying hard not to notice the fact that her father was beaming at her. It bothered her to think that he would view this as her trying to make him happy. But the truth was, it was better for everyone involved if Father was happy.
Remember, the goal is to get Marina to the altar. That’s why I’m doing all of this. Once I’m married, I want him to look kindly at her situation.The more she could go along with the kinds of things her father would want to see, the better off they would be.
So when they’d had their breakfast, she got to her feet and followed the Duke out into the foyer. One of his footmen fell into respectful step behind them as they left the manor and made their way out to the gardens.
It was truly lovely out here, Susan thought as they walked along the path. This was something she would be able to get used to, she thought—perhaps even look forward to. This would be a nice part of living here at Heathmare. She imagined afternoons spent out among the flowers, walking this path in solitude.
There was no solitude today, though. The footman was several yards behind them, giving them distance, but she was acutelyaware of the presence of the Duke by her side. He didn’t say a word, but there was something loud about him all the same, as though his very existence was shouting at her.
“I’m glad to have you here,” he said at length.
She glanced at him. “Are you?”
“Of course. Why shouldn’t I be?”
“I’m surprised you feel anything at all about my presence here,” she said. “You don’t know me. I’m just a stranger in your house—a stranger you’ve agreed to marry for reasons that are beyond me.”
The words had slipped out before she’d been able to think through what she was saying, and for a moment she regretted it. That had been rude.
But then he burst out laughing, which was ruder still, and her regret disappeared. “You’re a feisty one, aren't you?” he asked.
“I don’t know what you mean by that,” she said, her voice growing tight.Don’t rise to any bait. You need this man to like you. You need to remain on his good side. He might try to provoke you. He might be testing you to see if you’re the kind of lady he wants to marry. Don’t give him any reason to reject you.
He raised his eyebrows. “You know what the word means, don’t you?”
“Of course I know what thewordmeans,” she snapped. “I’m not a fool.”
“Well, I don’t know, do I? It’s as you said. I only just met you.” He smirked. “I was excited to be getting to know you, but you seem to feel that’s a nonsensical opinion to have.”
“Well, you don’t think I’m very sensible, if you don’t think I know the meaning of a simple word,” she pointed out. “Do I seem foolish to you?”
“Even if you’re not a fool, ladies don’t often read. And if you aren’t a reader, you might not have been exposed to certain words even if you do have a capacity for thought.”
She stared at him. “You’re very rude.”
“You speak that way to a duke?” He raised his eyebrows. She didn’t think he was offended—he seemed more amused than upset.
