My heart pounded.
He was serious.
Had Katherine been right? Had she noticed a connection between the duke and me, other than friendship? Noooo. He was like a brother, a good one. “What are you saying? Be clear.”
The duke rolled his insignia ring about his finger. “There’s too much mourning in Sebastian’s song. Too much in my house and my heart. Sometimes you have to ask yourself, why keep fighting? Why war for the hope of love when friendship might be better? It definitely adds more tranquility to a life that’s been spent alone.”
The hymn Mark played was exactly that, mournful and low as an air of defeat wrapped around the duke’s words. For the first time, I looked at an influential man of riches, born to a station so much higher than mine, and saw nothing but sadness.
“Your Grace, I know you aren’t asking me to marry you.”
He said nothing and moved to the rail overlooking the first floor. The gold thread in his waistcoat glittered like the ones in the rug.
I glanced at the marble tiles below. Up here, they were puzzle pieces. The picture they formed was complete and orderly, not out of place or confused like my spirit.
This marriage offer from a duke would make my mother proud. So much good could be done for my family if I said yes.
Slight squeaks made me notice that the duke had changed from boots to slippers, low ones. They looked comfortable. The man needed comforting. Every time he stepped into Lydia’s sickroom, Katherine’s scowl ripped him to pieces.
My sister’s disapproval tormented him, but marriage to me wasn’t to be a means of avenging her disregard. I’d not be comfort to a man I didn’t love. “Your Grace—”
“Yes, Miss Wilcox.” He stooped and picked up a bit of lint from the carpet threads.
I froze, thinking he’d knelt to propose.
When he bounded up, I breathed again. “Very nice rug, Your Grace. I like the one you’ve laid for Lydia. She likes to leap out of bed. It will be good for her feet.”
“I hope after Carew’s procedure she will be up soon, Miss Wilcox. She’s too young to suffer.”
I glanced away from his mourning spirit and examined the beautiful tapestry below my slippers. It was nice and thick, gold and cream. It seemed perfect for toes, while on the lower floors, the glorious tile and marble said formal shoes and full court dresses. This was the duke’s life, a public side and a hidden personal one. My heart went out to a man who had everything and nothing.
“You’retoo young to suffer, Your Grace. Do not let my sister’s opinion, which had to have been formed by Tavis, make you think less of yourself. It sounds so stupid telling a duke that he shouldn’t settle, that he’s worthy to be loved.”
With his humanity shining in his hazel eyes, he glanced at me. “Lord Mark is a fool if he lets you go.”
“I wasn’t. We’re not—”
“I talked to Sebastian. He could’ve left at any time. He went away last night merely to pack a portmanteau of clothes. He should be working on his new composition for the Harlbert’s Prize, but he stays for you.”
I crossed my arms, covering the bodice of my wrinkled brown gown. “He hasn’t said this to me.”
“Words shouldn’t matter so much, not with clear actions.”
Mark stayed for me.It touched my heart, but this was wrong. “I should tell him to work—”
“Tell him that you love him. That he’s too young to suffer, thinking he’s a failure because he’s not a winning composer. You told me not to settle. I tell you to look and see what I see. Do not forsake love. You might not have a chance to reclaim it.”
“This is all pretend, Your Grace. Remember your plan. I think it’s succeeding. Plenty of people saw us in Hyde Park. I like Lord Mark a lot, but once the ball is over, the scandal will be over.”
“Over, truly?” He put the lint in a pocket and stretched like the world was weighing on his shoulders. “Steele has picked up more gossip sheets. They’ve run tattle pieces or the foul cartoon on the scandal.”
“Oh. It’s been so many days since the incident in the garden. It should go away.”
“Becoming a duchess would make everything go away. It would also keep all the Wilcoxes in my life. That’s the peace I can attain. I would be happy. I could make you happy too.”
It was an honor to have an offer from the Duke of Torrance. A marriage would secure everything but my heart’s happiness.
“The only reason to refuse, Miss Wilcox, would be to admit your heart is taken.”
