Page 20 of The Duke's Inconvenient Bride
“Yes. Well.” He coughed, his throat suddenly tight. “I have something important to ask you.”
A faint squeak drew his attention to Lady Carlisle, but her expression was carefully neutral, so he wondered if he’d imagined it.
He inhaled slowly, the scent of the bouquet tickling his nose. He resisted the urge to sneeze. One did not sneeze on beautiful young ladies. He was certain that would be considered bad manners.
“May I get you some tea, Your Grace?” Lady Carlisle asked, and he realized he’d gone for too long without saying anything.
“Oh, yes please.”
He sat on the nearest chaise, feeling like a lumbering bull in comparison to the dainty piece of furniture. Both Carlisle women sat. Lord Carlisle did not move from his position near the doorway.
“How do you take it?” she asked.
“A splash of milk, no sugar,” he replied.
Lady Carlisle poured tea into three delicate cups and passed him one.
“Thank you.” He took a sip. A bit too milky for his taste, but nice enough otherwise.
“You said you have a question for me,” Violet prompted.
“Er.” His collar was too tight. He tugged at it. “Lady Violet. I have enjoyed getting to know you. I think you are a woman of great character and beauty, and I would be most grateful if you would do me the honor of becoming my wife.”
“I’d be delighted,” Violet said almost as soon as the words had passed his lips. She blinked, and made a small sound in the back of her throat, as if startled by her swift reply… and uncertain whether she meant it.
“Of course you would,” Lady Carlisle said, covering for her daughter’s blunder. “Do you intend to hold a large wedding, Your Grace?”
Vaughan shrugged, studying Violet, trying to figure out what was going on in her head. “Whatever you think is best, Lady Carlisle. I give you free rein.”
He was rich enough that she could invite the entire ton to St. George’s in Hanover Square, followed by a wedding breakfast and luncheon, and the cost would barely register against the vast Ashford fortune.
“When?” Violet asked, seeming to have recovered.
“I would like to marry quickly, but not so quickly that there is any hint of a scandal.”
The sooner this whole thing was over with, the better. He wanted nothing more than to leave London and its society behind. Nevertheless, he didn’t want to damage his future bride’s reputation.
“Would a month suit you?” Lady Carlisle asked. “That will give me sufficient time to plan.”
Vaughan reached for Violet’s hand. It felt dainty in his, but there was none of the zing he’d experienced with her sister. Thank God.
“Are you happy with a month?” he asked her.
She nodded.
“Then a month it is.”
Perfect,” Lord Carlisle said. “If you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.”
He left the room, and Vaughan wished he could do the same, but Lady Carlisle’s eyes were lit up like those of a cat who’dspotted a succulent bird, and he didn’t think his escape would be so swift.
“Your Grace, would you like to accompany Lady Violet and me on a walk so we can discuss the details?”
He supposed it couldn’t be avoided. “Very well.”
“May I come, Mother?” The redheaded girl he’d identified as Violet’s younger sister was leaning around the drawing room door. He couldn’t help wondering whether she’d been eavesdropping the entire time.
“No, Sophie. It’s your job to take care of Emma.” She turned to Vaughan. “My other daughter is unwell.”
