Page 38 of A Virgin for the Forbidden Duke

“Your Grace, we can’t thank you enough for helping us with our land troubles. You’ve been a blessing to our community,” one of them said, tipping his hat.

As they prepared to depart, they stood up from their chairs and turned to Matthew again. Their parting words caught the Duke off guard.

“And may we offer our heartfelt congratulations on your potential match, Your Grace. May the new Duchess be as graceful as you are,” another farmer remarked with a nod.

Confused but polite, Matthew responded, “Thank you, good Sirs. I appreciate your kind words.”

As the farmers left, a lingering sense of bewilderment followed Matthew. The cryptic reference to a potential match left him contemplating the unspoken currents of Society’s expectations.

What were they talking about? Potential match? Had his mother decided to take it upon herself to find him a wife again?

Good Lord.

He considered heading to his study to delve into the other matters that required his attention, seeking solace in the familiar routines of governance.

However, his contemplations were interrupted by the sudden entrance of Letitia, her countenance radiant with joy. “Good day, dear brother!” she exclaimed, her greeting echoing through the hall as she stalked over to him, her gown billowing behind her.

Matthew couldn’t help but crack a wry smile in response to Letitia’s buoyant demeanor. He welcomed the distraction, momentarily setting aside the mysteries presented by the farmers’ cryptic messages.

Upon noticing the shopping bags she carried, Matthew raised an eyebrow. “Out with friends, Letitia?”

With a gleeful grin, Letitia replied, “Oh, not just any friends, dear brother. I spent the day with Miss Agnes.”

A pang of jealousy pricked Matthew. He couldn’t openly associate with Agnes, but his sister seemed to have no such restrictions and had become good friends with her.

Feigning casual interest, Matthew asked, “Miss Agnes, you say? Did you have a pleasant time?”

His attempt at nonchalance masked the undercurrent of curiosity and a twinge of something more.

“Oh, yes, I did. Miss Agnes has such a pleasant personality,” Letitia said in a way that said she had an idea what he and Miss Agnes had been doing.

He growled. “Letitia, I know you did not come here just to let me know how pleasant your new friend is. What brings you here with such enthusiasm?” he inquired, trying to curb the green veins of jealousy that curled up his arms.

Letitia, with a playful glint in her eyes, responded, “Oh, just the usual sibling check-in. I thought I’d grace you with my presence and brighten your day.”

“Of course, the day is a very unusual one.” Matthew mumbled under his breath.

Letitia couldn’t help but tease her brother as she noticed his sour expression. “Why so glum, dear brother?”

With a scoff, Matthew replied, “People have been saying the oddest things all morning, and I can’t make head or tail of it.”

Curiosity sparked in Letitia’s eyes as she asked, “Oh, and what sort of odd things are they saying?”

Matthew rolled his eyes. “Potential matches, wives, and all that nonsense. I don’t understand why everyone’s so fixated on it today.”

Letitia stared at her brother for a while and then threw her head back, laughing, her mirth echoing in the room. “Men are truly ignorant creatures, I see.”

Annoyed, Matthew retorted, “And why do you think that?” He took a step forward. “And have you any idea what Mother has been plotting lately? Is she attempting to get me married off again?”

“I’m afraid Mother has nothing much to do with this one.”

“What, then?”

With a mischievous glint in her eyes, Letitia leaned in and whispered, “Oh, dear brother, you’re quite behind. It seems the potential match everyone is buzzing about is Miss Agnes.”

The revelation struck Matthew like a lightning bolt, leaving him visibly shocked. “What?”

Letitia only nodded, her cheeks pink.

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