Page 10 of Her Ruse with the Wicked Duke
After watching his mother spend his father’s hard-earned money on gambling and an excessively lavish wardrobe, he decided he would not contribute to her vices. Of course, she found a husband shortly after his father died, and her bad habits were in full swing once again.
He knew that he would have to visit his mother at some point during his time back in London. Though he could never forgive her for what she did, he felt a responsibility for her well-being, nonetheless.
He found himself atop his stallion, at her doorstep, staring at the pebbles on the ground and contemplating his choice.
Maybe this was not the smartest idea. I should just turn around and pretend like I never even thought about this.
“Rowan?” he heard.
He raised his head to see his mother at the door, a look of shock on her aging face. He got his looks from her, and he despised it. She had pitch-black straight hair, but it was beginning to gray at the roots now. Her smooth skin was beginning to crease, but the slate gray eyes she shared with him were just as bright as when she was young.
“Mother.” He bowed his head. “How are you?”
“I did not know you were here in London.” She smiled. He knew that was not true, and his horse whinnied as if he knew the same. “Do come in.”
“I will not be staying long?—”
“You may stay as long as you would like. It has been so long that even a moment in your company will make my day,” she said quietly, giving him a moment to dismount his horse. She gave him a sickly-sweet smile before snapping at the young servant who made his way up the drive from the garden. “Take His Grace’s horse. Now!”
He silently thanked the stableboy, who walked away timidly, and he was unsurprised but still disappointed in his mother’s behavior. He stepped into the foyer, and his eyes were drawn to a large portrait of his mother and her new husband, the Marquess of Hillworth, that hung from the wall.
I suppose it is some kind of fateful retribution that she married below her rank. It seems she has not changed at all.
“I have business to attend to, but I wanted to see that you are still well.”
He watched as the woman looked down at the ground, appearing frailer than before. She did not hide her disappointment at his blatant excuse to leave, but what had she expected from him? They had not made more than small talk for over a decade.
“Right. Well, I am still alive, so no worry is necessary.” She pursed her lips, clearly bothered.
“Good,” Rowan concluded, suddenly feeling awkward.
He did not show it, though. Instead, he stood tall, his hands folded calmly in front of him.
“So, have you found a wife? I would like to have some grandchildren before I am long gone.” She looked at him, and he huffed out a laugh.
“Mother, please. I refuse to allow you to pester me about a wife and children.”
“Darling, I just?—”
“I told you that I am not interested, Mother. You made that decision for me all those years ago.”
“You know that is not a proper excuse, dear. What about the ladies of the ton? Surely, there is someone. What about the Season’s Diamond? I have heard that she is the most beautiful girl in the group. I am surprised that she is not betrothed already.”
She is not wrong about that. There are not many choices, even if I wanted one.
Rowan sighed, running his hand through his hair, feeling his temper start to rise. He needed to escape quickly. “I must make haste, Mother. It has been a pleasure.”
“Please, come visit again soon. Even just for a moment. This was… well, it was just lovely.”
He nodded, not wanting to promise her something he did not want to do. He walked back to the door and let himself out, making his way to his horse.
* * *
Alice sat in her bedroom, running her brush through her long blonde hair, gazing at her reflection in the mirror. Her mother and father had always told her she was pretty, but the other ladies’ words were sometimes dampening her confidence. She did not want to be ashamed of how she looked, and she believed everyone had a unique way of showing their beauty.
My problem is going to become a lot more difficult to deal with if the Duke is seen accompanying me.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Grace’s knocking on the door ever so lightly. “Miss, do you need any assistance getting ready? His Lordship has asked me to accompany you once again this evening.”
