Page 22 of A Fake Courtship with the Duke
“They were just horrible,” Miss Huxley was saying, emotion thick in her voice, causing it to crack. “They seemed delighted at first, when they learned that I was with your brother at Gunter’s. But then, they said that a woman the likes of me could never be good enough for a duke.”
There was a soft sob, which Richard knew had to have come from Miss Huxley. His heart squeezed. Why would her parents say such a thing? Other than being a little defensive and tense, she had been perfectly pleasant company. And she was hardly unattractive. Not to mention that she could carry on a substantial conversation. What would make her parents be so cruel?
“My dearest, that’s nonsense,” Susan said after a brief pause. “Surely, you don’t believe that you’re not good enough for anyone. Why, I think any man, duke or prince, would be lucky to have you.”
Richard bit his lip, wondering what made him agree with his sister. Miss Huxley had been sweet and charming after she had warmed up, that was true. But he still hardly knew her. Still, hecouldn’t argue with Susan. And he didn’t think it was right that her own family would try to tell her otherwise.
As he peeked into the room, Richard saw Susan comforting her friend, pulling her into a tender embrace. The genuine affection between the two friends tugged at Richard's heart, and he felt a surge of protectiveness and empathy for Miss Huxley, who was clearly struggling with her family's expectations. That was a plight he knew all too well. And to think of a lady as seemingly respectable and intelligent as her going through the same brought Richard an unexpected sadness.
Choosing to intervene, Richard entered the room, his unexpected presence catching both ladies off guard.
“Forgive me,” he said with an apologetic smile. “I could not help overhearing what you were saying just now, Miss Huxley. In truth, I confess to standing outside the door and listening before I just barged in here. I just wanted to tell you that I understand how you must feel, what with so much unnecessary and cold pressure from your own family. I wanted to express my deepest sympathies for your predicament.”
Miss Huxley’s eyes widened and her face paled.
“Your Grace, forgive me,” she said, wiping at her eyes with her delicate fingertips. “I never meant for you to overhear my troubles. I do apologise. Your Grace, please do not tell my parents what you heard. I’m truly sorry for having imposed upon you in this matter, however inadvertently it might have been.”
Richard’s heart ached as the young woman rambled with her apologies. She was clearly fearful of repercussions from her parents. As he supposed she would be, after what Susan had told him that they were trying to do to her the previous day. He pulled a handkerchief from his coat pocket, offering it to her with his warmest smile.
“You have no need to apologise,” he said. “I was the one who chose to listen into your conversation uninvited. It is I whoshould apologise, and I do, with all my heart. I hope that you can forgive me, as I should have never done that. And fear not, I will not speak a word of what you said to anyone. Anything you say within the walls of Calder Manor is safe and will remain here with us.”
Miss Huxley looked at him with wide eyes that were still tinted by fear. But as she decided she could believe what he said, relief began to take its place. She sniffled, dabbing at her eyes with the handkerchief. When she went to hand it back to him, he gently nudged her hand away.
“Keep it, please,” he said. “It’s the least I can do.”
The emotional young woman nodded, wiping delicately at her face again. When she looked up at him, she reminded him of a wounded animal, afraid of everything and everyone, but in desperate need of care and understanding.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” she said. “You are most kind. And of course, I forgive you. This is your home, after all. You’ve every right to hear any conversation that takes place here.”
Richard nodded, impressed with Miss Huxley’s demeanor. Many other ladies in the ton, Susan included, would have become infuriated with his eavesdropping and stormed off, to remain angry with him for days. But Miss Huxley was reasonable and rational, and clearly forgiving, as well. No matter what the scandal sheets, or his own mother, said about her, she carried herself with a poise and grace that most ladies in the ton lacked. At least, when she was treated with kindness, it seemed.Exactly like that wounded animal which she appears to me,he mused.
Susan rose then, putting her hands on her hips. Richard expected a tongue lashing from her for his eavesdropping. But what she said stunned Richard into momentary silence.
“Anne, I must tell you something,” she said as though the words had just been waiting for their chance to burst from herthroat. “I had an idea yesterday, and I can’t wait any longer to mention it, especially after seeing you like this. I think Richard and you should have a pretend courtship.”
Richard already knew of his sister’s plan, of course. But the bluntness with which she had blurted it stunned him. And from the look on her friend’s face, he wasn’t the only one shocked at the sudden presentation.
“What?” Miss Huxley asked, her voice cracking with incredulity.
Susan turned to her friend, sitting back down, and taking her hands.
“I know it might sound crazy,” she said. “But your parents are treating you horribly, and for no good reason. And they are trying to force you to marry that abysmal cousin of yours. I would prefer to be rendered sightless than to witness your nuptials with him. And Richard is facing something similar. Mother keeps trying to push that insufferable Eleanor Westbrook onto him. She would make as good a wife as I would a miner. I can’t bear to see either of you suffer this way any longer.”
By the time she had finished speaking, Susan’s voice was also filled with raw emotion. Richard looked at his sister in surprise, but this time, it was because he hadn’t known that watching his battle with their mother about marriage had affected her so badly.
Miss Huxley looked at her friend with bewilderment, clearly trying to work out what her friend was talking about.
“How would that ever work?” she asked. “A pretend courtship implies that it would have to end eventually. And I think everyone would notice when we never got married.”
Susan was nodding as her friend spoke.
“They would, that is true,” she said. “But by the time your courtship ended, perhaps, the two of you could have foundsomeone you truly wish to marry. Or, at the very least, you might not be considered to be marriageable at all. Either way, you stand an excellent chance of getting out of these horrible, arranged marriages.”
Richard hadn’t considered the possibility of finding a woman he might be able to tolerate marrying during a pretend courtship. He still wasn’t considering it then, but it was an interesting perspective. And even if he didn’t, he was perfectly happy with being considered tainted or roguish after ending the fake courtship. For the first time since Susan had made her crazy proposal, Richard found himself giving it serious thought.
The silence in the room grew heavy, and Susan was looking back and forth between Miss Huxley and Richard. She bit her lip, clearly nervous and hoping they would reach the same conclusions she had about the plan. When Miss Huxley looked up at him with uncertainty and fear, Richard gave her another kind smile.
“I would like to say that I am more than happy to partake in this charade,” he said. “That is, if you are, as well, Miss Huxley. I daresay that Susan has made excellent points that are difficult to dispute.” He dared to give her a wink, suddenly desperate to help the wounded animal that was the lovely young woman sitting before him. “Furthermore, such a display would effectively demonstrate to your esteemed parents that you never lacked the suitable qualifications to wed a noble Duke, would it not?”
