Page 20 of Married to a Wicked Duke
The realization caught him off guard.I have no desire to be her husband—or anyone’s husband for that matter.He had made that clear to his grandmother more times than he could count. But it did nothing to quell the unexpected envy he felt towards the man with Veronica Caster in his arms.
Across the marquee, Frederick could see Lady Arabella and Lady Juliet whispering to one another, their eyes following Veronica around the room. Anger tightened the muscles in his neck. Who did these ladies think they were, gossiping about Veronica like this? If there was one thing he had learned these past few days, it was that Veronica Caster did not have a cruel bone in her body. There was nothing she could possibly have done to warrant being the topic of gossip.
Frederick shook his head.
How petty these young ladies are. Not that I could expect any different. Daughters of the ton have been raised that way…
“Your Grace! I am so pleased you made it!”
“Your Grace! I know it’s ever so bold of me, but could I perhaps have a dance?”
Frederick groaned at the sight of the young ladies barreling towards him.
One more night and this will all be over. At least until next Season when Grandmother starts hounding me about finding a wife again.
“Your Grace! I—”
“Here, lad. You look as though you need this.” Frederick felt a glass of brandy being thrust into his hand. It was the Earl of Volk standing beside him, he realized in surprise.
Lord Volk clapped a hand to Frederick’s shoulder. “Drink up. These ladies can find another young fellow to annoy.”
Frederick chuckled and brought the glass to his lips. “Thank you.”
The Earl nodded. He took a sip from his own glass. “I liked the painting you did with my daughter,” he said. “I don’t know much about art, but I know it was much better than all the rubbish everyone else managed.” He snorted with laughter.
Frederick smiled slightly. “Your daughter is a very talented artist.”
“So I’m told.”
Lord Volk coughed loudly to clear his throat. He was swaying slightly on his feet, and his words were slightly slurred. Nonetheless, Frederick was grateful to have his company rather than that of Lady Juliet and her entourage.
“This might be out of place of me, Your Grace,” Lord Volk began, “and if so, I apologize. But you don’t look like the happy young lad I remember.”
Frederick raised his eyebrows. “You remember me as a child?”
“Of course. I knew both your mother and your father, and I remember you running about the place as a boy full of energy. And as a young man with a smile for everyone.” He met Frederick’s eye with a look of empathy. “And I can see the life has been sucked out of you.”
Frederick laughed humorlessly. The drunken Earl of Volk had just found the perfect words to describe the way he felt. He nodded. “It does feel like that at times,” he admitted. He was surprised at himself for speaking of such things. Usually, he stayed as far away from speaking about his emotions as possible.
“Your mother’s death?” asked Lord Volk.
Frederick nodded. “I suppose it’s hard to find the joy in life when I’m condemned to be a part of theton. How can I surround myself with these people after what they did to my mother?” The moment he had spoken the words, he regretted them. As far as Lord Volk and the rest of thetonknew, his mother had simply died of an illness. He knew he had said far too much.
His shoulders stiffened as he waited for the Earl to ask questions. But Lord Volk did not pry. Either the comment had merely passed him by, or he had sensed that the topic was not one Frederick wished to speak on. He patted Frederick’s shoulder again, but he could not tell if it was an attempt at comforting him, or a desperate ploy to stay upright. “Life can be a realbastard,all right,” said the Earl, spittle escaping as he emphasized the word. “And so can theton. I’m sorry for whatever it is you went through.”
Frederick nodded, grateful the man had not pressed the subject.
“I was close to my parents too,” said Lord Volk. “I struggled when they died. I suppose that’s when I first started… Well…” He gestured to his now-empty brandy glass. “I suppose that’s when I first started making the wrong decisions.”
Frederick felt a sudden rush of empathy. He knew Lord Volk had been on the receiving end of an endless torrent of gossip and cruelty, just as his mother had. But beneath the drunkenness, he could see a decency to the Earl of Volk. A decency that was severely lacking among the cold-bloodedton.
He swallowed heavily. “Thank you, My Lord. I—” Before he could finish the sentence, the Earl lost his balance and stumbled forward. He dropped his brandy glass, which shattered at his feet. Heads turned in their direction, the Dowager Duchess and Veronica’s among them.
“Ugh. What adisgracethat man is,” Frederick heard Lady Juliet say over the dance music.
“I know,” Lady Arabella echoed. “I cannotbelievehe was invited…”
The Dowager Duchess hurried towards the Earl and Frederick, the Dowager Marchioness behind her. “This is a sophisticated party, My Lord,” Frederick’s grandmother hissed. “If you cannot learn to control yourself, then—”
