Page 15 of The Duke's Cursed Bride
Let her think that he was ready to agree to what she was saying. Let her believe, if she wished, that the subject was closed.
Thomas had a lot of thinking to do.
He went up to his bedroom, remembering how Lady Madeleine had looked as she had faced her accusers in the garden tonight. She had been strong and brave but fled when the criticism had grown to be too much.
And he remembered, years ago, being told by her uncle that she had kept her hands on him as he had bled, saving his life.
How could he turn away from such a woman in her hour of need? How could he turn his back on her when she was the one whose life was in peril of being ruined?
He couldn’t. He couldn’t bring himself to do it.
He reached his bedroom, closing and locking the door behind him. He would have solitude here, and he would be able to think. He didn’t think his mother would follow him.
He sat down in his chair and cradled his head in his hands.
He didn’t want to marry. He had told himself time and time again that he wouldn’t allow himself to get tangled up in that kind of arrangement for fear of creating an unhappy family life like the one he had suffered when he was growing up.
But that sentiment felt very selfish in the face of what he knew Lady Madeleine was now dealing with. He just couldn’t leave her to face it alone. Not after she had saved his life. He couldn’t be that heartless.
I have to marry her. It’s the only thing I can do that will help.
It was like a weight settling around his neck. He knew as soon as he had the thought that it was the only thing to be done, but he didn’t want to do it. And yet, what other choice was there?
Mother is not going to be happy about this.
At least there was peace in having made the decision. He got ready for bed slowly, trying not to think about the conversation he would have in the morning. His mother wasn’t going to like anything about what he had decided to do.
But Thomas didn’t think he could live with himself if he did anything else.
CHAPTERSIX
When Thomas arrived at the breakfast table the following morning, his mother and sister were already there.
He had hoped they might not be. This would have been easier if he could have taken a little time to himself, time in which to settle down and think through the things he had to say to them.
But on the other hand, he had done plenty of thinking when he should have been asleep last night. He knew now that he wasn’t going to change his mind.
He joined his family at the table and helped himself to some bread, but he had very little appetite.
“Good morning, Thomas,” Rachel said brightly.
She must not have heard anything about what had happened at the ball last night. This would all be news to her, then.
And, indeed, his mother was giving him a warning look as if she didn’t want Rachel to be told.
It made sense, in a way. At only five-and-ten years old, Rachel was too young to worry about things like curses and the gossip of theton. It was better to protect her from those things.
But she would have to know the truth, given that Thomas planned to marry. That wasn’t something that could be kept a secret from her.
So he cleared his throat and spoke. “I’ve come to a decision.”
His mother looked up at him. Her expression was wary. “What do you mean?” she asked. “What kind of decision?”
“A decision having to do with Lady Madeleine.”
“Who is Lady Madeleine?” Rachel asked eagerly.
“Thomas,” his mother said warningly.
