Page 31 of Denying the Duke (Lords and Ladies in Love 3)

Her mouth dry and her voice shaky she said, “And so you allowed Father to do the same thing to me that the duke’s father had done to him and you?”

One lone tear slid down her face. “I tried to stop it when I saw how much you and Alex cared for each other. But your father said he needed the connection to the duke, and if I attempted to thwart him you would pay the price.” She gave her a loving look. “And I know what that would have meant. I figured a broken heart would heal better than a broken neck.”

…

Alex stared dumbfounded as Wickham delivered the message that Lady Patience was not receiving. The butler looked uncomfortable, and Alex was sure he had never handled anything like this before.

“Thank you. Please give these to her ladyship.” He held out the bouquet of flowers.

The man took the flowers and bowed. With nothing else to be done, Alex hurried down the stairs and stopped, unsure what to do with himself. He’d planned on spending time with Patience, maybe even taking her for a ride.

Well, it appeared her little pique at him was more than little. She was angry. Truth be known, she had every right to be. He had made it sound as though he wanted to marry her to save himself time and effort. He winced just thinking about it.

He had some serious making up to do. He wanted Patience, even if he didn’t deserve her. Now that she had denied him, and refused to see him, it had become a challenge. And he never backed away from a challenge.

Chapter Ten

“My lady, I must say that gown looks lovely on you. The color flatters your complexion so well,” Polly chattered on, as she put the finishing touches on Patience’s hair by stringing pearls through the mass of curls she’d spent the last half hour fixing.

“Thank you, Polly.” She turned from the mirror. “I think I will wear that new India shawl with the gold thread tonight.”

“Yes, my lady.” Polly moved to the chest at the foot of Patience’s bed and withdrew the garment. “I will give this a fast pressing.” She hurried from the room, leaving Patience alone with her thoughts.

After hearing her mother’s story, she had been forced to look at this entire situation in a different way. Poor Mother. She had suffered so much over the years. Losing her true love, then the child created in that love.

She would have had a brother or sister had the babe survived.

When she’d asked her mother what she would do if she were given the chance to do it all again, she answered with no hesitation that she would have accepted the duke’s suggestion and run away together before his betrothal was announced.

Mother seemed so certain that would have been the right thing to do, she didn’t mention if she’d done so, Patience would never have been born. Or, she would have been Alex’s sister. Or, not, since the duke had two sons, and no daughters. The confusion finally gave her a headache that caused her to lie down with a lavender cloth on her head.

Would she allow history to repeat itself and refuse Alex’s proposal, trouncing on the young love they’d once shared? Perhaps it could be restored, if he was willing to actually woo her and not assume she would agree to marriage to save him trouble.

Once Polly returned with her shawl, she headed downstairs to meet her parents. Father had informed her earlier in the day that they were meeting Alex and his mother at the theater, and she would attend, with no excuses.

She felt ready to face Alex, and ascertain if his attempt to see her the day before, with the bouquet of flowers, had been his way of apology. If so, she would put her anger aside, but at the same time, not allow any more bullying.

Her father spent the entire carriage ride glaring at her, and the aroma wafting from him gave testimony to the fact that he’d spent time with the brandy bottle before they’d left. She sighed and studied her hands resting in her lap.

The coach came to a rolling stop and the door opened. Father stepped out and turned to assist Mother, and then her. They made their way into the theater just as Alex and the duchess alighted from their carriage.

As they approached, Alex turned toward her and gave her a slight—if hesitant—smile. For one instant he was Alex, her first—and only—love. His eyes bore into hers and that crooked smile she loved so much grew into an all-out grin. She smiled back, and for a moment her world righted itself.

He extended his arm toward her, his eyebrows raised in question. She took his arm and they climbed the steps to the lobby. Unfortunately, it was to be her last moment of peace for the evening. Immediately, a bevy of women surrounded Alex, everyone from matrons smiling seductively, to marriage-minded mamas, and their anxious, eyelid-batting, blushing daughters, practically fell at his feet. He was polite to everyone, but she was sure he was not pleased by all the attention.

They made their way to the Bedford box and were joined by Alex’s three friends, Lord Campbell, Lord Hawkins, and Mr. Templeton. He introduced the men to her, and the rest of the family.

“Had I known Bedford was hiding such a beauty, I would have demanded an introduction.” Lord Campbell, who Alex said was called “Cam,” bent over her hand. “Why are you hiding her, Bedford?”

Alex took her hand from Cam’s and tucked it into his arm, his eyes snapping. “I am not hiding her. Lady Patience is right here, is she not?”

All three men burst out laughing. “Be careful, Your Grace. We all appreciate beauty, and we may very well steal her right out from under you.” Lord Hawkins—or as Alex called him, “Hawk” slapped Alex on the back.

“Now that we have seen this lovely woman, we may decide to call upon her.” Mr. Templeton gave her a slight bow. “Would you be so kind as to receive us, my lady?”

She smiled and offered a curtsy. “Of course, Mr. Templeton.”

Patience studied the four men as they joked with each other. All were tall, broad shouldered, and handsome, each in his own way. While Hawk had raven-black hair and a devilish smile, Cam sported blond locks and a brilliant smile she was sure brought the vapors to many a young lady. Mr. Templeton’s straight light brown hair fell on his forehead that he brushed back to no avail. She could imagine the commotion and near swooning whenever the four of them entered a ballroom together.