The duke regarded me for a moment and then the edge of his mouth came up in a smile. “I am not always cool and distant with those I trust, but it takes a long time for people to gain my trust, and once lost, it’s almost impossible to restore it.”
I nodded, appreciating his candor. “Are you kind?”
“Always.”
“You said you don’t live alone?”
“I live with my younger brothers at Pickering Castle.”
“And how old are they?”
“They are all in their twenties.”
“Are they kind?”
A full smile filled his handsome face, making my heart pound. “Not always to each other, but always to a lady.”
I studied him for a moment and then I slowly smiled. “Is there anything you’d like to know about me?”
His face was serious again. “Are your thoughts and feelings always so unguarded?”
“To my detriment, yes.”
His smile returned. “Then I believe I would like to court you, Miss Hill, if you are agreeable to my pursuit.”
Aunt Maude held her breath as she stared at me.
I did not want to marry the Duke of Severton or live in Ravenscar, but this was the course set before me. I had agreed to it and there was no going back, no matter how much I loved Alec.
“I am agreeable, Your Grace.”
“Good.” He nodded, and I could see the matter was settled in his mind.
I was the one he wanted, for better or worse.
On Tuesday, I was allowed to sleep late and take my time preparing for that evening. Alec had kept himself scarce since the duke’s visit three days before, making one excuse after the other to leave the house. George had not returned, nor had he sent a note. I didn’t know where he was staying or how to send my apologies, but I was certain I would tell him I was sorry for Aunt Maude’s behavior when I saw him next.
Aunt Maude and I had spent the past few days attending social events, riding in Hyde Park, and visiting sites of interest. She and Lady Mandeville felt it necessary to get my name on everyone’s lips. After I attended the opera with the duke tonight, that was exactly what would happen. And I would soonhave more enemies than just Louise Garfield. Not only had the American women I’d met been cool with me—all but Annabelle and Lily Parker—many of the unmarried British women had been, as well. It was evident that they saw the American heiresses as a serious threat, as well they should.
By the time I was pressed and primped for the opera, I was exhausted from my nerves. Although the duke had been forthright with me on his last visit, there were still a lot of things I didn’t know about him. Lady Mandeville had hinted that there was a scandal surrounding the duke’s family, but no one really knew what it was. I wanted to ask someone who might know, but I was always with Aunt Maude when I was in the company of others, and she would not approve of me talking behind the duke’s back.
None of it really mattered. If the duke asked me to be his wife, Aunt Maude would expect my consent. There was little else to do but accept my situation and make the best of it.
And try to forget about Alec, which was almost impossible while living in the same house.
“There,” Gallagher said as she stepped back from pinning my hair. “You look beautiful, miss.”
She paid me so few compliments, my eyebrows came up. “Thank you.”
Without another word, she began to clean up the mess we’d made during my toilette. But I wasn’t quite done. I had a favor to ask her.
“Gallagher, do you think you could do a little investigation for me?”
She paused, a frown on her face. “What kind of an investigation?”
“I know very little about the Duke of Severton, and I have no one to ask, without my aunt hearing me. Could you perhaps ask the servants if they know anything about the duke or his familyhistory? I don’t want to be surprised later, if there is something he is trying to hide.”
Gallagher and I were not close, but she had been a loyal servant and, as far as I knew, wasn’t prone to gossip. At least, with me. Would she help me with this?
