Page 28 of Denying the Duke (Lords and Ladies in Love 3)

“That is not what I meant,” he snapped.

Patience moved as far from him as she was able without falling out of the vehicle. “I feel a megrim coming on, Your Grace. Please take me home.”

“Will you give me the opportunity to explain myself better?”

“I wish to go home.”

With a deep sigh, Alex turned the landau and headed toward the park exit. At this point it was probably best to allow Patience time to calm down. He did have an obligation to marry, and if he must select a wife, he truly did want that wife to be Patience, but he doubted he could offer her the lo

ve and affection he’d once felt. Yes, lust and desire were still there, but somewhere deep inside was blackness and a weary soul. Once Boney had been defeated, and he’d returned to England before his assignment in America, he’d decided he would avoid burdening a woman with his bleakness, thus no leg shackles for him. At the time, with no need to marry, it had been a wise decision.

Silence reigned as they made their way from the park to the townhouse. Patience sat still as a statue when he jumped down and rounded the vehicle to help her alight. She stiffened as he reached up and grasped her around the waist, and her eyes refused to meet his. Rather than wait for him to escort her, she gathered her skirts and started up the stairs.

He watched her go, her back straight, and her shoulders back. She would make a fine general.

And duchess.

Alex had the driver return the landau to the mews and prepared Night Storm himself to leave as quickly as possible. The ride through town to White’s didn’t do much to clear his head.

The footman at the door took his greatcoat, hat, and gloves. The room held a number of men reading newspapers, sipping brandy or coffee, and conversing.

He settled into a chair in the corner, in no mood for company.

“There you are. I thought I spotted you from across the room.” Lord Wilton collapsed into the chair across from him. “Lady Wilton tells me you and my daughter went for a ride in the park.”

Bloody hell. Just what he needed after the disastrous proposal he’d made to Patience. The muscles in Alex’s stomach clenched. He really disliked this man. “Yes, I just returned her home.”

Wilton signaled a footman to bring him a drink. “How goes your search for a bride? Am I to assume that was the purpose of the ride with my daughter?”

The man was beyond belief. “You might as well know I have reason to believe any proposal coming from me at present will be rejected by Patience.”

Wilton reared back as if slapped. “That is impossible,” he blustered, “if you were to ask her, I am sure—”

“I did. I am afraid I bungled it, and she was not receptive.”

“You offered a marriage proposal to my daughter and she said no?” Wilton’s face grew so red Alex worried the man might suffer apoplexy.

“I did not exactly offer properly and she did not exactly refuse. However, based on the conversation we did have, there might be a need to turn my search elsewhere.”

Wilton slammed his glass down on the table. “We will see about that.” He hopped up, but before he could leave, Alex growled, “Stop.”

Wilton turned his angry glare toward him.

“Do not pressure your daughter. I do not need, nor do I desire, any assistance from you or anyone else. With less interference, the better chance we have to come to some agreement.”

After a brisk nod, Wilton left the room. Alex downed the rest of his drink and stared moodily at the fireplace in front of him. In the past few years, two Dukes of Bedford had been laid to rest. If war taught him nothing else, it was one could not count on a lengthy life.

Marriage was a necessity to fulfill his duties. Nothing more. However, besides preferring not to take the necessary time to search for a bride, if marriage was required, he honestly wanted Patience. His desire for her strengthened every day. At this point, he could think of no other woman who would satisfy him.

If he could not recover his soul and offer her his love, he could give her pleasure in the bedchamber, children, and a comfortable life.

Hopefully, that would be enough.

Chapter Nine

After hiding in her bedchamber for two days after Alex’s boorish marriage proposal, Patience roused herself and agreed to accompany her mother to a sedate garden party. Mother had assured her there would be no more than twenty guests, and despite her reluctance to say so, she confirmed that as far as she knew, Alex had sent his regrets.

Patience studied herself in her mirror and tucked her hair into her bonnet. She grumbled that Alex had better not be there because she would break with all social mores and ignore him. Wouldn’t that give the nosy gossipmongers something to keep their tongues busy?