Page 52 of Captured By the Cold Duke
“Maybe around the time that my sister’s suitor assaulted her,” Minerva said, shrugging. “Or maybe I just think women should have more options in life other than begging a man to love them or staying unhappily married.”
“Well, as much as I agree with you on that,” Cherie said, “I don’t want to have an annulment. The whole reason I got married in the first place was because otherwise there would have been a huge scandal. An annulment would be an even worse scandal! It is not done. And it would tarnish my friends’ reputations as much as it would tarnish my own.”
“We would survive if it’s what you want,” Minerva said.
“That’s true,” Cassandra said bracingly. “We are here for you no matter what you choose.”
“But it’s not what I want,” Cherie said. “I want to live with him! I want to love him! I want to… to grow old with him.” The words were cheesy, but she forced herself to say them. Again, she was sure she saw Cassandra’s eyes fill with tears.
“Then you have to fight,” Cassandra said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Either that, or…”
“What?”
“Or live separately.”
There was a long silence as all of them considered this as an option.
“It is not unheard of, in theton,” Samantha said after a moment. “Not ideal, for some women, but for others, it is exactly the kind of freedom they have always wanted.”
“I don’t want to live separately from him,” Cherie said. “I don’t want to do these things thetondeems appropriate for married couples that aren’t in love. I want love with my husband!”
“I know, darling,” Cassandra said, stroking her gently, “but we cannot control other people. Perhaps living separately can be a backup plan, in case all else fails. It will allow you to at least lead an independent life that you are proud of without being constantly reminded of how your husband has disappointed you.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Cherie bit her lip. She wasn’t sure what to do. Thomas had sounded so adamant earlier that nothing more could come of them, and while she wanted to agree with Cassandra that she should fight for her marriage, she wasn’t sure she had it in her. It felt like she had been fighting with Thomas for so long now.
Anyway, Cassandra was happily married. Just because things had worked out for her didn’t mean they would work out for Cherie.
“I just wish I knew what had happened,” she said, sighing and leaning back on the bed. “He seemed so happy and at peace theother day when we kissed, and then the next day… everything had changed.”
“Well, what happened yesterday?” Samantha inquired. “Maybe we can go back over his day and discover what it is that changed his mind. It might tell us how we can fix it.”
“Nothing happened,” Cherie said slowly. “The duke was out when I was having breakfast, and when I asked where he’d gone, I was told he went for a morning ride. Then I went out promenading with Minerva. And when I got back, he was in the library, and his whole demeanor had changed.”
“He wasn’t out for a ride,” Cassandra said suddenly. “The duke was visiting with Aidan yesterday.”
All three women stared at her.
“Why didn’t you say this before?” Cherie asked.
“I don’t know, I didn’t think it was relevant,” Cassandra said, her eyes wide. “He wasn’t here long, but he and Aidan spoke for a while, and then they came up here to visit me. After that, he left rather quickly.”
“Well, do you know what Aidan said to him?” Cherie asked eagerly. “Did they speak about me?”
“Aidan didn’t mention anything. When I asked what he and the duke had spoken about, he said they mostly talked about me and my?—”
She cut herself off, her cheeks flushing. She bit her lip coyly, and Cherie, Samantha, and Minerva all looked at one another, then back at their friend.
“What is it?” Samantha asked.
Cassandra looked up at them, and a wide smile broke across her face. “I’m with child,” she said. “The doctor just told me last week that I am.”
“Oh, my goodness!” Samantha shrieked, and she threw herself forward, grabbing Cassandra and hugging her tight. “Congratulations!”
“Don’t grab her like that, Samantha!” Minerva protested. “She’s in a delicate condition.”
“Oh, posh, it’s not so delicate.” But Samantha released Cassandra and sat back, beaming. “I’m so pleased! I know this is what you wanted more than anything.”
Cherie, meanwhile, was so filled with emotion that she could hardly speak. She sat up and placed a hand on Cassandra’s.
