Page 44 of A Duchess for the Mysterious Duke
Phillip watched her carefully, almost disbelieving that this was her true disposition. But when she offered him a smile, he could not help but return it.
“I was afraid that you would not be agreeable, but I wanted you to know. It has not sat well with me for some time now that I did not bring this up before we were wed. I felt…I felt that I was robbing you of the opportunity to have a family.”
Marina reached out for his hand. “I did not believe before we met that I would ever be able to have children. It was something I made peace with when I saw my twentieth year and was still unwed. You have robbed me of nothing at all. But, Phillip, what of your heir?”
Phillip smiled, squeezing her hand and leaning toward her. “I will be at the liberty of choosing an heir I find suitable.”
“And who would you choose? There aren’t any male children in your family, are there?”
“No. But there is one in yours.”
Marina leaned back, blinking rapidly as she processed what this would mean. “You would have Nicholas succeed you?”
“Yes. As soon as he likes as well. I do not intend to hold on to my title until I die. I intend to retire young with you at my side, of course, once I have enough funds put away.”
“Phillip, you have been remarkably generous towards my family, but this?—”
“Is the least I can do, Marina. I do not entertain your requests to go out in society together. I will not provide you with a baby to nurture and love and care for you when you are old and needy. I am even asking you to consider leaving your home so that I might live where I am comfortable and happy. Bestowing my title and property on your brother, should he want it, is the leastI can do. I will not ask him to make up his mind as such when he is so young, but I would like to announce it as soon as he is of age—perhaps fifteen or sixteen. I believe it will help both he and Emily find favorable marriages, which, of course, I will be happy to assist in arranging, if you and your father so please.”
“Phillip!”
“I insist, Marina. Your family is the first I have ever had. I intend to spoil you and them mercilessly, in the ways that I can, I am aware of my many shortcomings. Our marriage—your spirit—has brought them to the light in a way they have not been in many years. I have been forced to face myself. This is how I would like to compensate you all for what you will most likely be put through on my behalf.”
Marina stood, as if to protest, but he stood with her, looking down upon her as he held her hands tightly, convinced she might run away if he loosened his grip even a little.
“What will you do if he does not agree?”
“Then I shall die a duke and the succession of my title will be parliament’s concern, not mine, though, Marina, I dearly hope that he accepts. I know that if I die young, your brother will care for you in my absence. I did not make this decision thinking only of him and myself. I want…I want to make sure that you are safe and comfortable for all your days. You have given me gifts beyond measure merely through your willingness to stand across from me and tell me the truth. I hope that I can provide you with stability in return.
For a man who claims he cannot love, he is quite earnest in matters of the heart. How will I ever tell him that I have already come to hold him in mine?
CHAPTER 31
“Your Grace, you have callers.”
Marina looked up from her book. She was lounging on the chaise in the drawing room for the natural light though visiting hours had long ago ended. She and Phillip were set to leave for Paris the next day—a fact that she was sure her friends and family were well aware of—and she was not expecting visitors, least of all the sort who ignored such customs as announcement or timeliness. She stood and met the steward by the door where she saw a name that shook her constitution. Her eyes flickered up to the steward though if he had feelings on the matter, he did not betray them.
“Callers? There is but one card here.”
“The young lady who accompanies him did not have one to present. He wishes to make an introduction then he will take his leave as he has been banished from the estate.”
Marina sighed, placing the card down on the silver tray. Her eyes flickered up to the ceiling as if she could see her husband pacing around his study if she only stared hard enough. He would likely become cross with her for entertaining the thought at all, and she was certain that the steward had suffered some abuse from her caller. He would not have obeyed Phillip’s orders otherwise.
“Send in the young lady. I shall make my own introduction and decide for myself if she is worthy company.”
Who could Emmanuel Hayward want her to meet? A thousand ideas crossed her mind—an old acquaintance of Phillip’s who would corroborate Emmanuel’s stories of his debauchery? Perhaps a young woman Phillip had befriended? An actress sent to sully her husband’s reputation?
No matter her worries—the reality turned out to be much worse.
The girl who entered her drawing room was stunning with pale skin and cherubic features framed by long, dark hair. She had a petite but feminine figure, and she was dressed in a fine silk dress.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace,” the girl said brightly, sinking into a clumsy, old-fashioned curtsy. “I am Emma Sharpe, soon to be Lady Emma Pond. My Uncle Hayward is hosting me at his home for the season and has sent me to make your acquaintance. You are Phillip’s wife, aren’t you?”
Marina noticed that Emma did not seem to realize how strange their meeting was, and she wondered what sort of upbringingshe had to be so thick in social matters. She was a sweet, pretty girl, but that she would be married to a lord must have been a testament to her fair features more than anything else. She was quite pretty, but something else was bothering Marina deeply.
“Soon to be? You are engaged to be married?”
“I am!” Emma clapped her hands together and beamed, reminding Marina of her youngest sister. “To Arthur Pond. He is a kind, strong gentleman though he is nearly ten years my elder. I am quite young, still, so he is quite young as well!”
