Page 27 of Denying the Duke (Lords and Ladies in Love 3)

Patience managed to restrain from rolling her eyes, as she and Mother, along with Lady Patricia hanging onto Alex’s arm, effected a small parade to the front door. All they were missing was music and flags waving. Lady Patricia tried her best to delay Alex as the Wilton carriage rolled to a stop at the front door.

“Thank you for calling, Lady Wilton, Lady Patience.” She continued to cling to Alex’s arm.

Patience smiled, her jaw tight, but graciously curtsied. “Thank you, it has been a pleasure.” Liar.

Not sure how he’d done it, but as soon as the door to their carriage closed, Alex appeared at the window to the coach. “Lady Patience, I wonder if you would accompany me on a ride this afternoon? Lady Wilton, I would be happy to have you join us.”

“Unfortunately, Your Grace. I find myself somewhat weary, and would appreciate a lie-down. You may call for my daughter at our townhouse. We are headed directly home.”

“That would be perfect.” He turned and headed to the landau with the duke’s crest on the door. Odd that he had not arrived on his horse. Could it be he had stopped in at Lady Albright’s home with the sole purpose of seeking Patience out, knowing she and Mother would be there?

It was a short ride to the townhouse. As she gathered her skirts in preparation to step down, Mother turned to Patience. “I know your father is most anxious for a match between you and His Grace. This might be a good opportunity to secure your future.”

Patience moaned. “Please, Mother, not you, too. I had hoped you were on my side. I have no control over what His Grace wishes regarding a wife. He might not even want one just yet, and he certainly has his choice of ladies. Perhaps you didn’t notice Lady Patricia fawning all over him? That is just the beginning. There are many young ladies who would be thrilled to be selected as his duchess, and have no doubt already set their caps for him.”

Goodness those words hurt. Even though she wasn’t yet sure their feelings for each other had bridged the gap of four years, the thought of him holding another woman in his arms and kissing her the way he’d kissed her twisted her insides.

“Nonsense. You and he have a history. I might bring to your recollection the day I told you of your father’s plans to betroth you to his brother. I was the one who wiped away your heartbroken tears. Here is an opportunity to gain what you wanted so badly.”

Yes, but does he want it? This new man whose eyes no longer hold humor, but pain? Whose open, carefree manner is now closed and cautious?

Patience followed her mother out of the coach and took Alex’s arm as he escorted her to the landau. As they settled in for the ride, Alex asked, “Does a ride in Hyde Park appeal to you?”

“Certainly, Your Grace,” Patience said.

They joined the queue of carriages and horses taking the daily stroll on the pathway during Polite Society’s fashionable hour. After about ten minutes, when they’d nodded to acquaintances and acknowledged greetings from all the young ladies and their mothers who eyed Alex with a newly acquired interest, Alex placed his hand over hers and said, “Patience there is something of importance I wish to discuss with you.”

She wasn’t altogether happy with the look on Alex’s face. His more guarded mien had turned downright lugubrious, alerting her to the seriousness of the subject he wanted to discuss. She braced herself to hear that he’d decided to choose a bride—most likely Lady Patricia—and wanted her to know that for as much as they had once meant to each other, there was no future for them.

…

Alex had no idea what was going through Patience’s mind, but at his words she had stiffened and moved farther away from him. He took a moment to gather his thoughts.

Just the little bit of time spent in Lady Albright’s drawing room had forced him to acknowledge his mother was not the only person who thought he should secure a wife posthaste. If one young man could collapse and die so easily, so could he. Not that he was morbid enough to dwell on the possibility of his early demise, but a man had to see to his responsibilities.

No doubt at every affair he attended forthwith, he would be eyed with speculation, and flat-out pursued by the ladies of the ton with marriageable daughters. With everything else he had been presented with since his return to London, the last thing he needed was a chase by determined mamas. Or put into circumstances with some conniving chit that resulted in a forced marriage.

“I need a wife,” he blurted out.

Patience turned to him, her eyes wide. “I see.” After a slight pause, she continued, “Is the purpose of this ride to ask my assistance in the selection? If so, I assume Lady Patricia would be at the top of the list. She is beautiful, gracious, well bred, and many other things I cannot think of at the moment.” Her voice was high pitched, and she spoke rapidly. “On the other hand, perhaps Lady Matilda, or Miss Susan Wright, both lovely ladies. There is also—”

“Patience. Stop.” He reached over and covered her hand with his.

Her cheeks were flushed, and her rapid breathing brought his attention to the swells of her delectable breasts as they moved up and down.

“I do not have the time or stamina to go through the process of courting. I am also restricted by the events I can and cannot attend due to being in some sort of mourning—although I am quite sure a duke can pretty much do as he pleases.

“My new duties have nearly overwhelmed me. Since we have been friends for a long time, I thought, perhaps, you might be willing to fulfill that role for me.”

Patience continued to stare at him, and though her cheeks were still flushed, he had an uncomfortable feeling that this time, the flush rose from anger. Her eyes snapped, and she clenched her fingers together tightly in her lap. “I see. You wish me to fulfill a role to keep you from being bothered by the selection process? Do I have that right?”

Alex stiffened and glanced at her sideways. “That is not exactly what I meant, although it might have sounded that way.”

“That is precisely how it sounded, Your Grace.”

Bloody hell. She was angry. He had really bungled it. Drawing in a deep breath he tried again. “I cannot truthfully tell you we can pick up where we left off years ago. I’ve seen horrible things, Patience, that have changed me from the young man you once knew. I am no longer the second son who was free to join the military, or make my own way in the world. I am still trying to find my way around, and cannot take on another project.”

“Take on another project? You sought me out at Lady Albright’s home to ask me to join you in a ride, all for the intention of asking me to be your project?”