Page 3 of The Heartless Duke's Bride
“Come, Nancy,” she urged. “Let’s go and find some drinks. I’m a bit warm.”
“Lydia, are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?” the Viscountess asked. “I know you must be feeling anxious now that your courtship has ended.”
Lydia was feeling nothing of the sort. The only thing that might have awakened any anxiety in her at the moment was the way her mother was behaving, which she felt more than capable of dealing with—but it would be better to have some distance.
“I’ll be all right,” she said. “Nancy will see to me.”
The two young ladies hurried away.
“She’s a bit much, isn’t she?” Lydia asked as they made their way over to the table where drinks were being served.
“She’s only trying to protect your interests,” Nancy replied. “She wants to see you married. I think it’s quite understandable.”
“Idounderstand. But it’s almost as if she would be happier if I was distraught over the loss of Lord Worley. The truth is, he was a bit of a nightmare, and I’m much better off without him. I’m glad he’s gone. My only concern is what sort of gentleman I’ll be matched with next.”
“Do you have your eye on anyone?” Nancy asked.
“No one,” Lydia said. “I just want something like what you and Colin have. I want someone I can actually feel something for. That would be amazing.”
“You should tell your parents that love is the most important thing to you,” Nancy suggested. “I’m sure they’d listen.”
“Oh, no, they wouldn’t,” Lydia said. “They want me to marry quickly. They want me to marry a wealthy gentleman in good social standing. The least important thing to them is love. They would mock me, and probably scold me, for caring about it, and they certainly wouldn’t take it into account when making decisions about my future. The best thing I can do is keep on the lookout for any gentlemen I might be able to form such a connection with—and, in the meantime, do my best to stay away from any I know I’ll never have feelings for.”
“That sounds like a lot of work,” Nancy observed.
“You’re very lucky to have met a gentleman you love,” Lydia murmured. “For most of us, it simply isn’t like that. I’m happy for you, Nancy, and I’m glad your life is going so well, but mine won’t be that simple.”
“I wish it could be,” Nancy said sadly. “You’re one of my closest friends. I want the very best for you.”
“I know you do.” Lydia smiled. “And at least I have you, Nancy. That’s enough for me, for now.”
CHAPTERTWO
“Edward!”
Edward turned away from the door, allowing his brother to follow him inside but not returning his greeting. This visit wasn’t exactly unwelcome, but it was inconvenient. He had set aside the whole day today for work, and now, that wasn’t going to be able to happen because he was going to have to entertain Colin.
And Colin was someone who required a lot of entertainment.
Edward liked his younger brother quite a lot, of course, but the two did not share the same outlook on life. Edward lived for fun and merriment, and he was always looking for new sources of enjoyment. And though Edward did not disapprove of his brother’s recent marriage to his wife, Nancy, it was hardly the sort of thing he would have chosen for himself.
There was no practical value in such an arrangement. Colin was clever enough to realize that, but he didn’t seem to care.
“How was your honeymoon?” Edward asked his brother as they sat down in the library, mostly because he knew the question was expected. Colin would want to talk about his recent trip with his wife.
“It was lovely,” Colin replied. “We saw all sorts of fine things. You really must try to go to Paris, Edward.”
“You know I don’t have time for that sort of thing,” Edward said. “My work keeps me far too busy.”
“You could take a bit of time for yourself,” Colin protested. “I feel as if the only thing you do is work.”
“It takes hard work to be successful,” Edward said.
“You seem very troubled,” Colin observed. “More so than usual. Has something happened, Edward?”
Edward sighed. “One of my business arrangements has fallen through,” he replied. “It’s happening more and more lately, and it’s a very difficult matter to deal with. I may have to find new people to work with, but of course, the more people choose not to do business with me, the more word spreads. It’s maddening because I’ve done absolutely nothing wrong. These people have no valid reason for failing to trust me, and yet they do.”
“But they must havesomereason,” Colin urged. “Even if their reasons aren’t valid, they must be able to point to something that drives them not to trust you.”
