Page 51 of His Stolen Duchess
Well, so much for putting my foot down when it comes to my wife and her silly bird.
He stopped when he reached the pergola. He was sure that it was also a new addition, and he didn’t recognize the wrought-iron table, which matched the folly and the surrounding chairs.
He turned and looked at Georgina, his eyebrows raised.
“The chairs are not for Mr. Squawksby to sit in, of course. They are for us and anyone else who comes to visit. It is a space where we might sit and admire this beautiful creature. And it can double as a conversation corner when we entertain guests.
“On cushions embroidered with birds?” he asked.
“Well, it fits the entire aesthetic, don’t you think?”
“No, this is becoming too much,” Lysander growled. “I can’t have you doing as you please. You knew I would be annoyed by this, but you went ahead and did it anyway. This was all for you, wasn’t it? You did it because you wanted to annoy me, and claiming it was for the parrot’s benefit was an effortless way to achieve that goal. Do you intend to challenge me like this constantly?”
“Do you want to know why I’ve done all of this?” she asked.
The parrot turned its head to look at Lysander.
“I did it because when I visited my sisters in Juliana’s townhouse, I saw how happy they were with their husbands, but I won’t ever have that because I ran away from one marriage, and that would have gained me a reputation, so I agreed to an arranged marriage with you. I know we will never be in love, that I will never truly be happy, and that I will never make you happy. But there is one creature Icanmake happy, and that is my parrot. So, yes, I went over the top, and perhaps I got a little carried away, but if I can’t live a good life, then maybe he can.”
The Duke gritted his teeth. He was not fully annoyed at her anymore, but at himself. She knew what she was getting into when they got married, but perhaps he hadn’t considered her feelings as much as he should have.
“You don’t live a good life?” he asked.
“I didn’t mean it like that. I don’t know how I meant it. I’m sure you never dreamed of a marriage like this either.”
Lysander wasn’t sure about that. For as long as he could remember, he hadn’t thought about a marriage where he might be loved and happy. He had thought only of his duty. He looked at his wife, and she looked back at him.
Although I was content with the way things were, I shouldn’t be happy if she is unhappy and I am the reason for her discomfort.
“Please don’t look at me like that,” she said. “I only meant that my life won’t be as normal as some other people’s. I’ve made my decisions, and I must accept them. You have been more than accepting of me. However, I do admit that I did this to create some discord, because that is often the only way I can get any sort of response and emotion from you. I know that makes me sound petty, and I’m sorry for that.”
“We have been invited to a ball,” the Duke said. “I was about to decline the invitation, but I have now changed my mind. We shall go to it.”
“What?” Georgina asked.
“That is what anormalcouple would do, isn’t it?”
“I didn’t mean to say that?—”
“You will have time to buy a new dress, and that is something I authorize. I want you to look your best for the ball, Georgina. That is, if you wish to go with me?”
Georgina’s lips parted slightly, and it took her some time to respond.
“I would like that very much,” she replied.
Good. We will certainly be the talk of the ton.
Chapter Sixteen
“His Grace, the Duke of Windermere, and Her Grace, the Duchess of Windermere!”
Georgina felt butterflies flapping in her stomach as their names were announced from the top of the ballroom stairs. She couldn’t remember the last time she had been to a ball, and it was their first time out in society since they had married.
She held on tightly to the Duke’s arm as they descended the stairs. All eyes were on them, and she had to concentrate on her descent, so she didn’t take a tumble. At the same time, she tried to keep her chin as high as possible. Georgina tried to do both without looking like she was constantly nodding in agreement.
Lysander leaned in as they walked, his breath warm on her ear like liquid honey. “You have nothing to be afraid of. Not when you are with me.”
His simple reassurance shouldn’t have affected her, but she suddenly felt a wave of calm course through her. He was so sincere that she believed every word. She repeated the sentiment to herself as they descended.
