Page 34 of The Last Duke She'd Marry
Juliet told herself not to be a fool. Granville was a catch, and they would deal well together. There wasn’t another man in England she admired so much. He’d make a perfect husband.
“I always enjoy your company, Your Grace,” she said with a calmness that didn’t reflect her inner confusion.
He smiled and to her surprise, took her hand. Although why she should be surprised, she didn’t know. After all, if she became his wife, he’d end up touching more than her hand. Thanks to what she and Evesham had got up to last night, she even had an inkling of what she might feel in his bed.
Yet this contact aroused no disturbing heat. She told herself that was a good thing. Marriage was too important a matter to be decided on whether a woman had an unfortunate physical weakness for her future husband.
“I always enjoy yours. I’ve missed you since you left London.”
Her eyes widened with more surprise. It hadn’t occurred to her that her absence might leave a hole in his life.
“There was Viola’s wedding. Then Papa started work on the gala.” She left her hand in his. She didn’t mention the scandal. She didn’t have to.
“And you’re to play Juliet.”
“Yes.” He already knew this. Most of the talk at lunch had centered on tomorrow’s performance. “At least I won’t forget my character’s name.”
He responded with a smile. She realized that she’d never heard him laugh. Granville treated life with the earnestness that it deserved. Whereas Evesham wasn’t earnest about anything at all.
As if her thoughts conjured up his name, Granville frowned. “I wish you had a different Romeo. Evesham’s not respectable.”
He wasn’t. So why did Juliet feel the urge to defend him? “Papa wanted someone dark-haired to contrast with my fairness.”
“I hope the fellow hasn’t overstepped propriety. He isn’t suitable company for you.”
It was her turn to frown. “He’s been quite the gentleman, Your Grace.” It wasn’t the full truth, but Granville made Evesham sound like a rampaging barbarian. “Surely Papa has the right to invite anyone he wishes to his own home.”
“Alaric.”
She needed a moment to realize that the duke was asking her to use his Christian name. His hold on her hand tightened. “I don’t like the idea of you speaking romantic words to anyone but me.”
Her stomach took such a swoop that it stole her breath. “Your Grace…”
He sighed. “I’m sure it will come as no surprise when I say that I admire you more than I’ve admired any other lady.”
More than Vanessa Gould?
The thought popped up like a curse. She crammed it to the back of her mind.
“I am…” Usually she had no trouble finishing her sentences, but hearing that the duke saw her as more than a convenient match left her floundering.
He met her eyes, his green gaze warmer than usual. “You’re beautiful and wise and a woman of character. You’ll make a superb duchess. I thought so when I first met you, but my feelings toward you have only strengthened as our acquaintance has progressed. Now I can’t imagine facing my future without you at my side. Juliet – I hope you’ll allow me to call you Juliet – please make me the happiest of men and say that you’ll become my wife.”
For a horrified instant, she stared into his aristocratic features and wondered what in heaven’s name she could say.
She slid her hand free of his. “I had no idea.”
He looked puzzled. “Ithascome as a surprise. I’m so sorry. I imagined that you’d read my attentions to you as an expression of my hopes. I imagined – expected – that your acceptance of my company meant that you liked me in return.”
Dear Lord, she made a complete botch of this. She’d done a better job with Bolton, all those years ago. But then Bolton’s proposal had been short and prosaic. They’d both known that they intended to enter a practical partnership. She’d assumed that Granville had planned on a similar arrangement. Yet he spoke about emotions with more conviction than she’d thought he was capable of.
“Of course I like you,” she said shakily. “You’re everything that I admire, too.”
“Yet you didn’t expect a proposal?”
She linked her hands at her waist to hide their shaking. “I’ve always thought that we deal well together. We agree about so much. The importance of doing one’s duty. The way great privilege comes with great responsibility. The need for political reform. I’ve always wanted to be in a position to do good.”
“As my wife, you would be.” He looked concerned. “Have you decided that you can’t stomach me as a husband? If so, I’ll go away and never trouble you again. You have my word on it.”
