Page 11 of The One With the Duke's Curvy Bride

“Like your marvelous hostessing skills right now?” He shouldn’t have said it. This was not the way to warm his mother to his next declaration.

“Everyone has their weaknesses, Henry. Mine happens to be rain.”

“Yes.” He patted his knees. “I’m so glad you put it that way, Mother. Since you have been vulnerable and courageous enough to share one of your weaknesses, I will do the same. I must confess my weakness. Her name is Philomena. I love her. And I will marry only her.”

His mother gasped. “She will n-not do.” It was the closest to sputtering he had ever heard from his mother.

“She will. She already does. I love her.” Squeezing the arms of the chair, he felt the heaviness seep into his heart. He knew he was disappointing his mother. It was a feeling no child, no matter how old, wanted to have. But some things in life were worth disappointing others for. “I know this will put a strain on our relationship but I do hope you will come around. She’s an amazing woman.”

“I see.” And that was the closest thing to acquiescence that he had ever seen in his mother. It wasn’t over. Not by a long shot. But something had shifted in her.

“Please tell me where she is.”

After a short sigh, she said, “I asked her to arrange some flowers in the cottage for me. I told her we were having a special event there.”

“Why would you do that?”

“You needed time with the ladies I had chosen for you.”

“I had time with them.”

“Time without distractions,” she clarified.

“Philomena is not the distraction. She’s the desired object of my attention.” He knew it to be true. How had he not understood it before? It didn’t matter. So long as he was aware of it now, he could act on it.

“I didn’t think she would stay there all this time. I’m actually…surprised she didn’t come back with the rest of the servants.”

“She’s not a servant.”

“I didn’t mean that.” His mother waved her hand. “I just meant that I’m disappointed she didn’t think clearly enough to return for dinner.”

“She probably stayed to ensure everything was perfect. For you. She knows you dislike her. She’s there trying to impress you. And I’m still here.” Henry flew to his feet. “Why am I still here?” He shot a look at his mother. “I’m going to ask her to marry me. And we will marry. I hope it was worth it to have her arrange those flowers for you. In your new place of residence.”

“Henry!”

“We’ll talk more upon my return.”

So much for needing time. So much for thinking of ways to convince his mother of his plans.

Now they would have to figure all that out after the wedding.

Chapter 7

THE RAIN POUNDED LOUDLY against the cottage as Philomena sketched another flower. She had already spent hours arranging the flowers everywhere. Once she had reached perfection, she clasped her hands together and sat down. But then she looked around to observe the room, and the moment she did that, she saw a few more stems to switch around. So it was best for everyone, and every one of her fingers, to sit and sketch for a while.

And so engrossed in her task was she that she didn’t notice the banging on the door.

Truly, she credited most sounds to the storm, to thunder, and perhaps even to her mind playing tricks on her, for she hadn’t expected anyone to return for her until morning. The sounds could just be the rain crashing down on the roof, desperately showing off its underrated strength.

She had been stoking the fire and sitting close to it to stay warm. Only a few times, or a fewtimesa few times, had she regretted not returning to the house with the servants. But her only focus was to make sure everything was perfect for the dowager duchess. If she had any hope of impressing her, this was her chance.

Yet now, being trapped in the rain-enveloped cottage, she did feel a little foolish. Being warmed by the fire she had maintained was some kind of consolation. At least she knew how to keep herself from freezing to death.

The banging pounded on the door again. This time she heard it over the competing pounding of the rain. Why was someone knocking? She must have locked it after the servants had left.

She rushed to the door and found Henry, soaked to the bone.

“Quick, get in here.” She dragged him inside and shoved the door closed before the slanting rain could make an entrance.

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