Page 61 of Alone with the Beastly Duke
She stole a glance at Axel and smiled at him. He greeted her with a raised eyebrow and a quizzical look, and she could tell that he found the exchange between Rose and Lady Feathering as interesting as she did.
“Child, you must know that boys will grow up someday to lead their homes and be in charge of the finances and businesses. Of course, men need the knowledge to do these things. Women, on the other hand, only need to be taught how to behave in society, and perhaps, a little bit of sewing and needlework would not be so bad,” she said.
“That is simply preposterous,” Rose said heatedly, “women should have access to the same amount of education and knowledge as men and...”
“Child, you cannot possibly know as much as I do, can you?” Lady Feathering related to Rose. “I did not busy myself with reading. Instead, I did the things required of me, learning to be a lady and sewing, and in my very first year of entering society, I got snagged up by an eligible bachelor.”
Lady Feathering leaned toward Rose from across the table and peered curiously at her.
“Perhaps, you may consider doing the same. I remember that this is your second year in society, and you are yet to have any luck catching the eye of an eligible gentleman. Stop the ridiculous reading and busy yourself with the values and morals that will help you when you are married.”
Jasmine could feel Rose fume beside her.
“Lady Feathering–” Rose started in a tone that told Jasmine that her sister was about to say some unkind words.
“Speaking of eligible bachelors,” Jasmine’s father cut in, and she heaved a sigh of relief; the last thing she wanted was for Rose to turn their parents’ dinner into a battleground against the unpleasant Lady Feathering.
“Your Grace, you seem to be eligible yourself, or am I mistaken?” the Earl asked Axel.
For the first time, Jasmine saw Axel look confused and a little rattled. He, however, bellied it perfectly with a smile.
“Of course, but I am not presently looking to take a bride,” he answered simply.
Lady Feathering gasped. “What a pity!” she said in a high tone. “The girls would simply fall over themselves to get at you if you were looking to take a bride.”
“I am certain that would be the case,” Axel replied, his words dripping with sarcasm.
“Anyone would be delighted to be the in-law of the Nordic Bea–the Duke of Hexington,” Lady Feathering smirked.
At this point, even Jasmine could not entirely blame Rose for antagonizing Lady Feathering. She was an unpleasant woman, and she did nothing to hide it.
“Lady Feathering,” the Countess said, “do not be so pushy. You know that the Duke had only just recently lost his wife. I am sure that he is still mourning her.”
There was a moment of silence at the table, and Jasmine was certain that everyone had the same thought on their mind.
“Nonsense!” Lady Feathering broke the silence. “It has been five years, and I am certain that His Grace is more than ready to find the right woman again, notwithstanding the circumstances of his wife’s death.”
Someone at the table gasped, and once again, there was silence.
“Lady Feathering, I am certain that the circumstances of the Duke’s wife’s death were simply natural,” the Earl said.
“You know that is not true, My Lord,” Lady Feathering replied loudly. “We all heard the rumors, didn’t we?”
Of course, the unfounded rumors that you started and fueled.
“Well, since the Duke himself is at this table today, we can simply ask him what the true circumstances of his wife’s death are,” the Countess said. “That way, he can put the rumors to rest permanently. I am sure that all of us here would give anything to know what had truly caused the death of the late Duchess.”
ChapterTwenty
Jasmine glanced at Axel and saw him staring at his food, his fork held stiffly with a faraway look on his face.
“Mama!” Jasmine retorted.
“What?” her mother asked, not seeming to care about the feelings of her guest.
“I am certain the Duke would rather not want to remember such a dreadful time,” she insisted. “Losing one’s wife is a terrible thing, and if he does not want to talk about it, then his wishes should be respected.”
“But he has not said he does not want to talk about it, has he?” her mother inquired.
