Page 13 of His Arranged Duchess
“Well, how should I know? That rather depends on you, doesn’t it? But you had better impress me,Your Grace.And so far, this is not a good start.”
Lucien ran a tongue over his teeth. “On the contrary, I think we are doing exceptionally well. We had a pretty good start when I stole you from that dullard of a viscount you almost married.”
Taken by surprise, Frances gave a huff of laughter, hastily smothered.
Lucien’s eyebrows flickered. Abruptly, he shifted positions, leaning forward to rest an elbow on his knee.
“Since we are setting conditions in place, here are mine. Firstly, I do not wish to discuss my past, especially my father, ever again. We can converse on any subject you wish, but not on that one. Secondly, you must give me an heir. Eventually, that is.”
Frances bit her lip. “What if I can’t? Some women don’t have many children, or any. Mama only had me.”
Lucien considered this. “If we try to produce an heir and fail, then that is that. But we must try. Do you understand?”
Frances had never thought much about children. She liked children, like many young ladies; although babies made her feel faintly sick. Her own babies might be different, naturally.However, marriage and children went hand in hand, and she had always imagined herself with children one day. A family.
“Agreed,” she said, nodding.
“Good. Now, for the third and final condition, this one is exceptionally important. You are never to go to the east tower.”
Frances paused, frowning. “Theeasttower?”
“Yes. There are four towers, as you saw: North, South, West, and East. The library is in the North tower, and the other two you may wander at will. But not the East. Do you understand?”
Well, that was a Gothic request if ever Frances had heard one. But Lucien was watching her closely, waiting.
“Very well,” Frances responded, finally sinking into the armchair opposite. “Now for my requests.”
He frowned. “You have already made yours.”
“No, I madeonerequest, and it wasn’t really a request at all, more like a statement. I have three conditions of my own.”
Lucien heaved a sigh. “Very well, go on, then.”
Frances adjusted herself, getting comfortable in the seat. At last, she tucked her feet underneath herself. It wasn’t very ladylike, but Mama wasn’t here to scold her, so never mind.
“I don’t want my past discussed, either,” she began. “We can talk of Mama, of course, but nothing about my childhood or anything like that. Nothing of the Baron.” Lucien seemed a little surprised at that but nodded.
“It would be hypocritical of me to object. Go on.”
“Since we are married, we should spend time together. Just a little time to start, I think. We can go on outings, read together, things like that.”
“If I must.”
“And I have… special interests of my own,” Frances added, a little hesitantly. She saw his eyes narrow, suspicious, but he stayed silent, letting her finish. “I’d like not to be bothered when I engage in my interests.”
“I see. It would be pointless to ask about these interests.”
“Yes, it would. Is there a private room where I can work?”
He shrugged. “Use the library. I haven’t time for extensive reading, and I’ve selected a study for myself here, anyway.”
Frances bit back a sigh of relief. That had been the greatest worry. She’d been racking her brain to work out how to continue her projects while being married to Nicholas.
Hewould not have approved. But it didn’t matter now, because she was not married to Nicholas.
WhoamI married to, though?
Cutting off that worrisome thought, Frances cleared her throat and spoke again.
