Page 12 of His Forsaken Duchess
“You mock me, Duke, but it is hardly absurd to suggest that more comfortable furniture might improve my stay.”
He tilted his head slightly, his dark eyes gleaming. “You have taken it upon yourself to criticize Haremore Castle in its entirety?”
“Criticize? No. Observe? Certainly.” She lifted her chin. “And I observe that you might remedy these deficiencies without much effort.”
The Duke leaned in just enough to unsettle her, his voice lowering. “And yet, my dear Duchess, you shall endure it, for the current weather does not permit the acquisition of new furniture. However, I shall have the servants make the rooms warmer.”
Audrey swallowed, the space between them feeling narrower, while her heart pounded. She took a measured step back, her fingers curling into her skirts. “Surely there must be some recourse. A path through the snow or?—”
“The roads are entirely impassable,” he interrupted smoothly. “Any attempt at travel would result in certain failure.”
Audrey huffed, her gaze darting back to the window. “This is entirely unacceptable.”
The Duke’s smile widened, though it carried a touch of irony. “For you, perhaps.”
Her head whipped back toward him, her tone incredulous. “For you? You take pleasure in this?”
“Pleasure?” He gave a faint shrug, his indifference maddening. “I tolerate it. Unlike you, I am accustomed to discomfort.”
“Self-imposed discomfort! You are a duke! Why must you live like this?”
He glanced out the window. “Let us pray that the storm is kind enough to only last a few days.”
Few days… Heavens, no!
Three
Audrey folded her arms tightly over her chest and fixed the Duke with a glare. “Why do you look amused? You should be horrified.”
The Duke’s mouth curled into a grin, and a low laugh rumbled in his chest. “Your Highness,” he drawled, “I have seen more horrors than this.”
Audrey furrowed her brow in confusion before his words registered. “Duchess,” she corrected. “You meanDuchess.”
His grin only widened. “No,Your Highness,” he stressed, as though savoring the title. “My castle is housing a princess, and it would be improper of me to address her otherwise.”
Her breath caught as her indignation flared. “I am not a princess!” she snapped, her tone biting.
She opened her mouth to continue, but he turned abruptly, his coat billowing slightly in the process.
“I’ll be in my study,” he said over his shoulder, his voice dismissive. “Unless the castle is on fire, I suggest you refrain from disturbing me.”
Audrey stared after him, speechless for a moment. Her arms fell to her sides, and her fingers twitched with irritation.
What a brute!Not only is he insufferable, but he also never finishes a conversation properly!
She paced the drawing room, her irritation simmering beneath her composed exterior. Her hand drifted to her neck, absentmindedly seeking to play with her necklace for comfort, only to remember that she had surrendered it to Cedric. The absence of its weight was unsettling, and the way he had demanded it back lingered uncomfortably in her mind.
Her pacing halted as she resolved to act. If she was to deal with him, she needed to understand him better. The housekeeper might prove useful.
Stepping out into the hallway, she spotted Potts near the grand staircase, his expression as neutral as ever.
“Potts,” she called, drawing his attention.
He turned and inclined his head slightly. “Your Grace.”
“Has Mrs. Potts returned yet?” she asked, her voice steady despite her impatience.
“Not yet, Your Grace,” he replied, his tone calm and measured. “She is expected later this afternoon, though the snow has delayed her return.”
