Page 34 of A Marquess to Save Her
“And you married her only because of your family's bloodline and wealth?” Callum asked.
“If foolish people can get married for mundane reasons like love, then I can certainly marry for a family alliance. When your father became of marrying age, I gave him the same advice that I am now giving you. I told him to look for a lady who was from an important household. He did, and he and his wife produced a dandy man like yourself.”
“And now you expect me to carry us the tradition of marrying whoever came from an affluent family,” Callum said, shaking his head.
“Indeed,” the Duke said, nodding, “you do want your children and grandchildren to enjoy the stability that you are currently enjoying, do you not?” Callum did not respond. “The only way for that to happen is if you marry into an affluent household so that our riches would multiply from the alliance,” the Duke said, “the Scrantons are not that household and they are also in scandal, therefore, you have to desist from courting Lady Louise.”
“If Scranton is not an affluent household where I should marry into, then why are you currently courting a woman from the same household?” Callum asked.
“What are…I…” For the first time, Callum saw that his grandfather was flustered and at a loss for words.
“Oh, I forgot that you are not even going the proper route of courting the lady. Rather, you are simply flirting with her,” Callum said.
“I have no idea what you are talking about,” the Duke said, not meeting Callum's gaze.
Callum chuckled. “You must think me a fool, Grandfather. Everyone in thetoncan see that you are totally enamored by the woman.”
“What woman?” The Duke continued to feign ignorance.
“You know what woman I am talking about, Your Grace,” Callum said.
“Boy,” the Duke said in a softer voice, “Lady Theodora is a very sweet lady and I simply enjoy her company. I am an old man and–”
Callum shook his head, “I know well that what you both have is more than you simply enjoying her company.”
The Duke sighed, “Fine! I will admit that I have chaste feelings for her.”
“What I can hear from you is that it is perfectly fine for you to follow your heart but woe betide me if I even think of courting a woman whose company I enjoy,” Callum said.
“Boy, what you will not do is equate my sacrifice with yours. As a lad, I performed my duty by marrying the person who was most suited to advance our name. It is now your turn to do the same,” the Duke said.
“I would never marry a lady that I cannot stand just because of the family's sake,” Callum said.
“And that shows that you are not as dedicated to the affairs of this family as you should be. And yet, you are supposed to be the Duke when I am gone. If you are not ready to do difficult things because of your duty to the family, then how do you expect to be a successful and fair Duke?”
Callum shrugged, “I will do only that which is right and makes me happy.”
The Duke laughed. “Happy? Do you think I was happy when I married your grandmother? I had to do it because it was what was expected of me.”
“If I get married for the family, when do I finally get to be happy?” Callum asked.
The Duke shrugged, “I am seventy now and I just met the one woman who makes me happier than I ever imagined. After performing my duty all my life, I suppose I deserve a chance at love, true love.”
“Are you saying that I have to wait till I am seventy before I can be happy too?” Callum could not believe his ears.
The Duke shrugged nonchalantly, “It is a sacrifice that has to be made. For now, you need to find a proper lady from an old family to become your Duchess. Lady Louise cannot make a good Duchess.”
“And how do you know for sure that she cannot make a good Duchess?” Callum asked.
“All you have to do is look through her family's pedigree,” the Duke said. Being a Duchess is not an easy task, and only those raised with utmost care can perform this duty. Lady Louise would not know how to act as a Duchess. I doubt the girl even knows how to throw a lavish ball.”
“You do not have to be so mean, Your Grace,” Callum said, feeling guilty at his grandfather's words toward Louise, “it is not as though I plan on marrying her anyway.”
“Callum!” the Duke said, gasping. A look at his face told Callum that he should not have made his last statement out loud. The older man looked mortified. “You should never court a lady if you have no intention of marrying her,” the Duke rebuked him.
Callum nodded.
“Young ladies become attached easily and what you have done would only cause a big scandal when you refuse to marry her,” the Duke said.
