Page 21 of Taken By the Icy Duke

“I do,” she said, keeping her voice steady. “I find myself in need of your counsel, and I would prefer not to wait until you return.”

His forehead creased slightly, but he nodded. “As you wish. Shall we go to the breakfast room, then?”

Diana nodded and led the way. A flurry of maids bustled discreetly along the hall, lighting the sconces for the morning. She noticed Gilbert glance at her sideways, but he did not speak. She wanted to break the silence and ask him why he had been avoiding her, why he had not approached her again after leaving so suddenly. However, she held back her questions, afraid to push him away or annoy him.

On their arrival into the breakfast room, a neat table awaited them, laden with fresh bread, jam, eggs, and a pot of steaming chocolate. A footman stood ready to serve. Diana summoned a small, polite smile, reminding herself to adopt a semblance of composure.

“Thank you, Thomas,” she said quietly. “We shall serve ourselves this morning.”

The footman bowed and exited, leaving them in relative privacy. The crackle of the fire and the soft clink of porcelain punctuated the hush as Diana poured chocolate into two delicate cups. Gilbert took his seat opposite her, regarding her with unwavering eyes.

She offered him a cup, and he accepted with a murmured thanks. For a few moments they sipped in silence. Diana was acutely aware of every detail: his hand curling around the porcelain, the crispness of his collar, and the faint lines aroundhis eyes suggesting a lack of rest. She felt thankful for his patience, waiting for her to begin without pressing her.

At last, she set her cup down and gently cleared her throat.

“I am aware that you have many demands upon your time,” she began, “yet there is a matter we cannot allow to fester.”

“Fester seems an ominous word,” he remarked cautiously. His eyes searched her face, as though trying to measure her mood.

“There have been rumors,” she continued hesitantly, trying to decide how best to elaborate.

“You refer to the whispers about our marriage?” he guessed. “I did suppose that people would talk after the hasty affair.”

“Indeed. It appears that certain individuals still doubt the legitimacy of our union, or at the very least, question its…sincerity.,” Diana tilted her head, a mild tremor now entering her voice. “Moreover, your former association with the dowager countess has become fodder for vicious tongues.”

“I had hoped such talk would fade once it became clear you and I were lawfully wed. It seems I was mistaken,” he said. His fingers tightened around the handle of his cup, betraying his calm exterior.

“They believe, or so I have heard, that you harbor regrets. Some speculate that I have tricked you into marriage or that you havemarried me unwillingly,” she continued, her cheeks heating at the humiliating gossip.

“The dowager countess mentioned as much, hinting that society’s eyes remain fixed upon us, scrutinizing our every move. And while we are ostensibly still upon our honeymoon, your repeated absence from Rivenhall is causing rumors to run rampant.”

“I understand why this troubles you,” Gilbert’s mouth set into a grim line. “By rights, it ought never to have begun. However, I trust that the rumors will die down by the time we return to society.”

Diana exhaled, relieved that he did not dismiss her concerns outright.

“One may hope that is so,” she ventured. “However, I am concerned about my father and sister’s reputation. My sister is still hoping to make a match, if not this Season, then soon. I worry that if another year passes without her finding a suitor, her chances will only dwindle further. I would hate to continue to diminish my family’s standing.”

“You are a duchess now. Your standing should elevate theirs,” Gilbert protested, frowning.

“If I was deemed to be in good standing in my marriage, perhaps,” Diana argued, pushing away her plate. She leveled her gaze at Gilbert, hoping to convince him about her sincerity. “But these rumors diminish me as well.”

Gilbert raised his eyebrows, popping a berry into his mouth and chewing as he considered her words.

“You have duties; this I recognize,” she continued, hoping to influence how he was formulating his opinion. “But I suggest we address this together. Perhaps there is a way to set an example before the eyes of the ton, to show that our marriage is not to be questioned.”

He studied her quietly. She wondered if he thought back to the night of their shared kiss. His gaze seemed to linger upon her lips for a fraction of a second, and her heart fluttered at the memory. She yearned to feel that desire and passion again. But then he straightened, his expression once again neutral.

“What do you propose?”

She pressed her palms to the table, steeling herself.

“I propose we conclude this so-called ‘honeymoon’ in seclusion and instead make ourselves visible in society. We might host a small gathering at your townhouse in London, or accept the invitations we have ignored thus far. If the gossips see us together, conducting ourselves as a true couple, they shall find it harder to persist in their innuendo.”

“A public display of unity, then,” He sipped his chocolate, considering her suggestion. “Surely that will only stir more talk; people will say we are fleeing this estate, or that we are restless in one another’s company.”

“On the contrary, if we show a united front, they will see we are neither ashamed nor shrinking from scrutiny.” Diana leaned forward, her tone earnest. “Society delights in scandal only so long as it remains hidden. If we present ourselves confidently, the gossipmongers will have little to feed upon.”

His skepticism remained evident, though she noticed his resolve wavering slightly. Hoping to press her advantage, Diana continued, “And there is more at stake, is there not? You spoke of your brother’s concerns when first you left to answer his letter. His name, too, has been whispered among certain circles?—”

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