Page 43 of A Virgin for the Forbidden Duke

CHAPTER15

Agnes’s mind wandered as she contemplated the right moment to talk with her mother. The dining table, usually a place of shared meals and familial bonds, now felt like a battleground for unspoken conflicts.

Seated at the table with her mother and her father, Agnes couldn’t shake the anticipation building within her. Matthew’s promise to openly call on her the next day echoed in her thoughts like a sweet melody. The prospect of a more overt connection with him thrilled her, but the awareness of her mother’s disapproval lingered as a subtle undercurrent.

As the servants brought in the dishes for lunch, Agnes stole glances at Lady Young, trying to gauge her mood. The air seemed charged with unspoken tensions, and Agnes, caught in the crossfire of familial expectations and personal desires, grappled with her own convictions.

Matthew’s intentions were clear, he wanted to take their connection beyond the hidden meetings and stolen kisses. Agnes yearned for that open acknowledgment, the legitimacy that would validate the emotions she felt. However, the knowledge that her mother held reservations about Matthew gnawed at her.

“Agnes, dear.” Lady Young’s voice broke through Agnes’s contemplation. “Is something troubling you?”

Agnes looked up, her gaze meeting her mother’s discerning eyes. The weight of unspoken words hung in the air, and for a moment, Agnes hesitated. How could she express the excitement that Matthew’s declaration brought without risking her mother’s disapproval?

“Oh, nothing, Mother,” Agnes replied with a gentle smile, hoping to deflect the inquiry. “Just lost in my thoughts.”

Yet, as the meal progressed, Agnes couldn’t escape the persistent swirl of emotions within her. The clash between her growing affection for Matthew and the potential familial discord created a dissonance that resonated within her.

As they sat at the table, the atmosphere remained charged with unspoken tension. Agnes found herself wrestling with conflicting loyalties—to her heart’s desires and to the expectations that bound her to her family’s aspirations. The choices she made now would shape not only her romantic future but also the delicate balance within the household.

In the midst of these internal struggles, Agnes yearned for understanding. Would her mother comprehend the depth of her emotions?

She should understand. She is the one always pushing me to find a suitor, and I’ve found one now, even though she doesn’t quite know Matthew. She should understand.

Agnes finally made up her mind to say what she wanted.

She sighed and dropped her cutlery gently before saying, “Actually, I have something to tell you, Mother.”

“Of course, Agnes. Let it out. You’ve clouded this whole dinner with your gloominess.” Mary sighed and looked up expectantly at Agnes.

Agnes shifted uncomfortably in her seat and cleared her throat. “So, Mother, I’ve been talking to this gentleman recently, and I find him quite entertaining.”

Mary’s eyes glinted with excitement. “I told you, the Earl of Egerton is a presence to behold.”

Agnes shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. “No, Mother, not Ewan.”

The excitement in Mary’s eyes dimmed, replaced by curiosity. “Then who, Agnes?”

Agnes glanced from her mother to her father, who was quietly eating, listening to their conversation. She took a deep breath. “The Duke of Huntington.”

A stunned silence enveloped the room. It was as if a pin had dropped, and the air itself seemed to hold its breath. Mary’s smile froze, and Benedict looked up from his plate with a raised eyebrow.

Mary recovered first, her expression morphing from surprise to a mix of disbelief and concern. “The Duke of Huntington? Agnes, you jest.”

Agnes shook her head, her eyes meeting her mother’s with sincerity. “No, Mother. I’ve been spending time with the Duke, and I’ve found him to be quite different from what I expected.”

Mary’s features tightened as she absorbed the revelation. “Agnes, you cannot be serious. The Duke is known for his… his unconventional behavior and scandalous reputation. You can’t possibly consider him as a suitor.”

Agnes felt a surge of frustration but remained composed as she resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Oh, Mother, please, we both know those are baseless rumors.”

Most likely spread by her own mother.

“And, Mother, I’ve seen another side of him. He’s not as the rumors paint him. There’s more to the Duke than meets the eye.”

Mary’s face darkened, and she glanced at her husband, seeking support. “Benedict, say something. This cannot be happening.”

Agnes’s father, usually the silent observer of their family dynamics, spoke up. “Mary, perhaps we should listen to what Agnes has to say. I personally do not think anything is wrong with the man.”

Mary looked at him, wide-eyed, torn between disbelief and maternal concern. “Agnes, you must be joking about this.”

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