Page 44 of The Duke Who Dared Me
It was true.It wouldn’t be the first marriage settled like a business arrangement: a well-bred woman in exchange for money.But she was so exhausted from trying to find a way to fit herself within those expectations.It wasn’t enough that she was beautiful like her parents had hoped.It wasn’t enough that she was smart and witty.If anything, that only made men feel less superior.They didn’t like to be challenged.It wasn’t enough that she was an excellent dancer or had spent years practicing blasted French until she was flawlessly fluent, along with Greek, Italian, and Latin.Her butterfly collection was thought of as weird.She was too confident a horsewoman.And it made no difference that she was excellent with children.Verity spoke her mind, and that, above all, was the cardinal sin.
She shrugged, sniffing back her tears.There was no point in wiping them away any longer.“No one wants me, so I will see myself out.”She tried for levity, but her joke crashed to the floor.
Percy glared at her, not entertained.“I have put up with a lot from you over the years.If you could only control yourself and mind your tongue.Maybe, and I know this would take a miracle, but stop letting every emotion control you.Aunt Francis is elderly, yes, but she will break you until you are a shell of the sister I have now.”
“What other options do I have?”She stepped around him, desperate to return to her room and start packing before sense caught up with her.
“Does this have to do with Tunstall?”
She paused, spinning to face him from the dark hallway.It had everything to do with that infuriating man.She loved him, and he was no better than the rest.He could only ever love her in pieces, in the quiet corners of society where her reputation wouldn’t touch his.
That wasn’t love either.And if she couldn’t be loved for everything about her, then she would do something radical and love herself.Even if it meant moving out to the country, away from society, to gain an ounce of freedom from crushing expectations.
She shook her head, then slowly walked up the stairs with her chin held high.
Damn it all if it was a lie.Nothing mattered anymore.
* * *
Alistair foundher just as the footman hoisted her trunk onto the back of the coach.She stood beside it with her back to him, straw bonnet askew and fists clenched.
“Verity.”
She turned slowly.No surprise.No fury.Worse yet, indifference.
“Miss Baxter will do.”She spun back toward the footman.“Don’t drop that corner.”
He stepped closer, his voice low so only she could hear.“I left you earlier with fewer clothes on.”
“Remember the closet, Your Grace?I’ll make good on my promise and break that nose of yours if you keep speaking.”
Right.He was a prized idiot.
Alistair scrubbed his face, his stubble scratching against his palm.There hadn’t been time for a shave this morning.“Where are you going?”
She whirled around, pointing an accusing finger.“Far from you.You thought you could help my brother fix his mistake and supply me with a dowry?That would be a convenient fix, wouldn’t it?”
“Good God, man.Let me…” He jumped up onto the sideboard and grabbed the trunk from the struggling footman.But instead of settling it onto the roof, he placed it down gently on the road between them.“Leave us,” he ordered.
The footman scurried away, then the driver, once Alistair leveled him with a glare.
“I’m leaving, and I will ride this coach if it means I have to strap that trunk to the roof myself.”
“You’re upset.I understand.”
“Do you?”Her words were bitter, and it broke his heart to see tears in her eyes.He never wanted to make her cry.
She turned back toward the coach, but he reached for her wrist.Her pulse fluttered wildly beneath his fingers.
“I only meant to be gone an hour this morning.Last night…” His voice dropped to a rough whisper.“These past few weeks have been equal parts frustrating and beautiful.I was trying to do things properly.I thought if I returned with flowers and a plan, I could convince you to?—”
“To what?Overlook the fact that you disappeared after the first time we…” She glanced around at the passing wagons and the surrounding townhouses.“You didn’t even leave a note, Alistair.”
“I know.”
“I woke up thinking it had all been a mistake.”
“It wasn’t.I told you, you’ve never been a mistake.”
