Page 47 of The Wedding-Crashing Duchess

“Ladies are taught that appetite should be discreet,” she said. “That applies to food, conversation, attention, and almost everything else. A woman who wants too much is considered vulgar, while a woman who appears satisfied with very little is praised for her elegance.”

Ronan’s face hardened with something between disbelief and irritation.

“That is absurd.”

“It may sound absurd when stated plainly, although customs often do.”

“Then stop following it.”

Augusta gave a short laugh. “You say that as though one may simply decide that society no longer exists.”

“One may decide that its opinion is irrelevant.”

“That is easy for you to say.”

“Why?”

“You are the Duke of Ravenhill,” Augusta replied. “You may refuse invitations, offend hostesses, leave dinners early, and wear the same expression at every gathering, while people call you eccentric or intimidating and continue inviting you. A woman does not possess the same freedom. Every gesture is examined, and every error becomes evidence of her entire character.”

Ronan looked at her steadily.

“You interrupted a wedding and accused a duke of murder in front of half the ton, yet you survived.”

“I survived by marrying the duke.”

“That was your choice.”

“It was also the only choice that prevented the scandal from destroying me completely.”

Ronan’s expression grew more serious, although Augusta continued before he could answer.

“My next question,” she said, deliberately changing the direction of the conversation, “is whether you have any pastime activities.”

“I work.”

“That is not a pastime.”

“It occupies my time.”

“A pastime is something one does for pleasure.”

Ronan appeared to consider the distinction. “I ride, and I also fence with Gregory.”

Augusta remembered his injured leg and glanced briefly towards the cane resting beside his chair. “You fence? Does it not cause you pain?”

“Occasionally.”

“And you continue?”

“It’s not that much of an effort,” he shrugged his shoulders as though it was nothing. “I dislike allowing pain to make decisions for me.”

“So tell me more, then. What part of it do you like more?” Augusta held his gaze for a moment, then she asked, “Do you enjoy fencing itself, or do you enjoy defeating Gregory?”

“You ask me a lot of questions,” he sighed. “But nevertheless, I shall try to satisfy you with an answer. I would say that those pleasures are difficult to separate.”

She laughed, and Ronan’s expression softened at the sound.

“That is the first answer you have given that I fully understand,” Augusta said. “I also enjoy defeating people who are overly certain of themselves.”