Page 33 of The Duke and the Spinster

“Yes, do take your mother’s advice, daughter. What kind of girl tries to refuse a Duke?”

“If it were me, I certainly wouldn’t.”

Eleanor’s voice was wistful, even envious.

Juliana looked at him again, feeling overwhelmed. His eyes held warmth, and his fingers tightened on hers. The memory of his lips on hers came back to her, making her heat through her whole body. He looked… certain, sincere… loving. The concept that someone other than her family might actually love her – her, the ungainly, unpopular one, was something she had never expected to contemplate. It brought tears to her eyes. She took a deep breath. For the last nearly four years, she had hidden, not reached for anything she wanted. Today, she would reach. For she wanted him, she wanted a life with him, more than she had ever wanted anything.

“Then… if you are sure….”

“I am absolutely certain, or I would not have asked.”

“Then… yes, yes, I will marry you.”

He pulled her to him, and brought his lips to hers for a moment before releasing her.

“Thank you. You have just made me the happiest I have ever been in my life. And I suspect that this will make my mother the happiest she has ever been in her life, too.”

She gave a shaky little laugh, remembering that day, when they had each admitted to only being at the house party because their mothers required it. How very long ago that seemed now.

“Well, I think that this calls for a celebratory drink. Let me ring for some wine and some brandy.”

Lord Delbarton set about doing so, and Lady Delbarton and Lady Eleanor immediately began to discuss wedding dresses, locations, wedding breakfast menus and more. Unable to help herself, she looked up at the Duke – oh goodness, she didn’t even know his family name, or given name, and now she was to marry him! - and made a little grimace, rolling her eyes in the direction of her mother and sister. He laughed softly.

“I think that, once my mother becomes involved in this planning too, we will have no choice but to simply allow them free rein.”

“Perhaps that would be best, although I will, at least, have some say in what I wear!”

The sense of comfort, of companionship between them astounded her – how had she come to be so easy in his presence? She knew that she would still worry, would still struggle to believe that he really wanted her, was not just being honourable, but, she began to see, if she could trust that he spoke the truth, her life might become far more pleasant than she had ever imagined was possible.

Mrs Hardcastle herself brought the tray with the wine and brandy, smiling broadly. Lord Delbarton had explained why it was needed, and now, she was quite sure, every member of the boarding house staff knew as well.

“My congratulations, Your Grace. I am sure that everyone in the district will be delighted for you.”

“Thank you, Mrs Hardcastle.”

The woman set the tray down on the side table, then turned back to them all, a thoughtful expression on her face. After a moment, she spoke again.

“Your Grace, you know that I’m not normally one to gossip, but I think I ought to tell you of something that happened just an hour or so ago.”

Juliana looked at Mrs Hardcastle, wondering what her words were about, fearful for a moment that the afternoon’s events had been seen after all.

“Yes, Mrs Hardcastle – and what might it be that you think I should know about?”

“When I rode out this afternoon, I returned by way of the Inn, to arrange our next delivery of wines. In the stable at the Inn,” Juliana’s breath caught, and fear twisted in her stomach, “I ran straight into Lord Fondleton,” the fear redoubled its strength, “in a rather steamy embrace with Lady Prudence Baggington.”

Juliana released her breath with a whoosh, and caught the Duke’s eye. He seemed almost more startled by Mrs Hardcastle’s words than she was.

“Really? And what happened then?”

“I told them in no uncertain terms what I thought of such behaviour in a public stable, and dragged them both immediately to her mother. Rest assured, they’ll be wed very soon.”

The Duke appeared to be having some trouble keeping a calm face. She suspected that he was, as she was, on the edge of hysterical laughter. Fortunately, Lady Delbarton, oblivious to their difficulty, spoke up.

“How lovely! It’s a day for the arrangement of weddings then. It’s amazing how house parties promote young people becoming attached.”

“Definitely – even longstanding arrangements can change in a moment, under the right conditions.”

Mrs Hardcastle’s eyes were on Lady Juliana and the Duke as she spoke, and Juliana was quite certain that she was aware of their reactions, even if she did not know the reason for it.