Page 14 of A Duchess Disciplined

The Duke of Reeds was seated at the head of the table, his face as hard as stone. Despite Reeds’s obvious desire to exude confidence and dominion over his estate, his eyes betrayed his exhaustion. His sisters seemed to be in similar states of fatigue. Lady Dorothy’s eyes were red and swollen—evidence that she had spent the night crying. Lady Bridget stifled yawns behind her hand, and Lady Catherine looked like a feral cat, overly tired and prepared to strike with little provocation.

William chewed silently on his eggs. It had been some time since he had experienced such an uncomfortable breakfast. He had won, even if Reeds had not yet officially agreed to his victory.

“I have been thinking about our contract,” Reeds said stiffly.

“As have I,” William said. “I trust that you have decided to do the honorable thing and fulfill it, as your father intended.”

Reeds clenched his jaw. The man’s body was tense, his shoulders drawn, and his back straight. William sensed that the young man probably wished to defy him, to insist that the contract would never be fulfilled.

And yet, Reeds cast Lady Dorothy a quick, apologetic glance. In that look, William saw that Reeds had already agreed to the terms. William would leave with a lovely, young wife and a new maternal presence for his sisters, Hannah and Hester. It took all his strength not to let his eyes wander to Lady Catherine. He had asked for the eldest sister, and although she did not stir the same passions within him that her younger sister did, William was certain that Lady Dorothy would be an adequate wife. He had won, as he always did.

“My sister and I have discussed the contract at length,” Reeds said. “We areconsideringagreeing to your proposal.”

“Considering?” William asked.

Where had this courage come from? William did not imagine that it would last for long.

“Yes,” Reeds said. “First, I wish to verify the authenticity of this contract. I wish to speak with the Baron of Westwood to determine if he has any recollection of our fathers making this agreement. Then, I shall speak with my solicitor to determine if he has any knowledge of this arrangement.”

“Do you suspect me of deceiving you? If I desired one of your sisters to be my wife, I am quite certain that I could devise some means of obtaining one without resorting to such an absurd scheme.”

Reeds took a sip of his coffee. William suspected it was a delay tactic to consider his answer. The man looked as though he was on the verge of saying something regrettable. How pathetic!

“I suppose so,” Reeds said, “but I am sure you understand the reason for my hesitancy. I would not wed one of my sisters to you without being certain about the contract’s authenticity.”

“You distrust me.”

“I distrust everyone with my sisters,” Reeds replied. “I especially distrust the man determined to marry the sister of mine who has resolved herself to spinsterhood. Are you incapable of finding a willing woman to marry you?”

It sounded like something Lady Catherine would say. William wondered ifshewas responsible for her brother’s sudden courage. Perhaps she had spoken to him during the night.

“You act as though I am unreasonable,” William said coolly. “Many lords of the tonmarry ladies who are not particularly besotted with them. That is the truth of an arranged marriage. Were you convinced that all husbands and wives were love-matches? I had not thought you so naïve.”

Lady Catherine sighed. When William glanced at her, the young lady smiled sharply and stabbed her eggs as though she intended to murder them.

“Are you vexed, my lady?” William asked.

She wore a pale pink gown that beautifully traced her delicate, feminine figure. It reminded William of the night before. He had stood so near her that, when he gazed down, he had been able to appreciate her firm breasts and her slender neck.

The memory of that slight touch, when his fingertips brushed the shell of her ear, burned within him. He ached to touch her again and longer. William’s pulse quickened when he imagined Lady Catherine on her knees or seated on his bed, gazing up at him with such boldness.

“I am,” Lady Catherine said.

“Perhaps, you ought not to display such feelings of displeasure before your guests,” William said. “It is unbecoming.”

“I may do as I please,” Lady Catherine snapped. “This ismyhome.”

It was becoming readily apparent why Lady Catherine was so spirited. Her brother failed to correct the young lady and showed no interest in requesting that she display even the smallest feminine graces. If she were William’s bride...

If she were his wife and he caught her wandering outside the bedchamber in the early hours of the morning, he would have caught her about her waist and kissed her until he left her breathless. Then, he would have carried Lady Catherine to their bed and taught her the consequences for a young lady wandering where she ought not to.

“How long will it take your solicitor to arrive?” William asked.

“I sent correspondence to him this morning,” Reeds replied. “I thoroughly explained the situation to him, so I am certain he will answer quickly.”

William caught the veiled criticism.Hehad not been so forthcoming when presenting the contract to Reeds. That was because Reeds was too proper and afraid to fight for what he wanted.

“We should have our answer in two days. My solicitor is in London,” Reeds continued. “So we need to wait for an answer.”

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