Page 36 of The Duke and the Runaway Bride

Edwin burst out laughing, unable to hold it in any longer.

“Oh, please!” Beatrice begged. “I wasn’t waiting for him. I was here with you, Your Grace.”

Edwin managed to speak through his laughter, “He knows that, the rascal. He was only teasing you.”

“I apologize, but I couldn’t resist,” Robert told her as he sat down and began helping himself to a little of everything. He held up a spoonful of the strawberry conserve. “This is the only jam I wish to get myself into.”

Edwin rolled his eyes at the joke.

Beatrice pouted and remained silent, but she looked relieved.

“So, to what do we owe the pleasure?” Edwin asked.

“I suppose my visit today is about something serious. I have attended a fair few events over the past month, and there has been a lot of talk about you,” Robert said.

Beatrice looked at Edwin.

“You too,” Robert added.

“What?” Beatrice asked. “What are they talking about?”

“There are rumors circling about the ton—and that is all they are, because they are completely unfounded. But there has been more talk about the scandal.”

“Oh,” Beatrice moaned.

Edwin placed a hand on her arm. “Don’t worry, we will fix this together. What are they saying?”

“Some people believe you forced Her Grace into marriage by trapping her in a room.”

“He did not such thing! I was the one who—” Beatrice blushed. “I will tell everyone that it is a lie.”

Edwin raised his hand to try to calm his wife. “Robert, please go on.”

“Others say that there was no wedding at all. There was no pomp or ceremony surrounding it, and they claim it is because you have not married and you are keeping Her Grace here for… well, let’s not talk about that part.”

“We have a marriage license, we can show them that,” Beatrice scoffed.

“Far too logical for the gossips. No, they want to see you in the wild and study you,” Robert said.

Edwin nodded in understanding. “We have attended no events since we met, and there are obvious reasons for that. I know what you have in mind, and I am in agreement. We must show our faces and prove to everyone that what we have is real. Even if it is not.”

Beatrice looked away from both men.

“There has also been talk between some lords,” Robert added in a low voice. “The older lords love doing business with family men. There is no concern at the moment, but if the rumors grow worse, unfounded or not, they will become more hesitant to do business with you, Edwin.”

“I have ruined everything,” Beatrice wailed.

“Oh, stop that nonsense!” Edwin snapped, surprising them both. “I arranged this marriage, and by putting all of this on yourself, you make it sound as if you conned me completely. I will not have that talk anymore, Beatrice. We are in this together now, and we will fix it together, yes?”

Beatrice took a shaky breath before turning to look at him with more hope. “Yes.” She nodded confidently. “We will fix it together.”

“That’s the spirit,” Edwin said.

“I’m hosting a garden party in a few days, and, of course, the two of you will be my guests of honor. So, clear your already clear schedule, for you don’t attend any events, and put on your very best clothes for one of the greatest events of the Season.”

“We will be there,” Edwin said.

“Yes, together,” Beatrice agreed.

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