Page 34 of The Artisan and the Duke
There was a pause of hesitation before Gregory qualified, “I thought that was what you wanted after our words in the hallway earlier.”
Jules’ slender fingers fidgeted with the napkin. “Sometimes when I get scared, I get angry to cover it. If you are not still displeased with me, I see no reason to end the betrothal at this time,” she said reasonably, but there was a tremble in her voice that Gregory took note of.
He watched her as she traced a pattern on the napkin. The dress she wore was a satin affair full of violet colours and lace. It played up her virtues very well, and Gregory found it hard to keep his concentration. Gregory nodded slowly. “Then we shall not break it. I must warn you that my mother is set on me discussing the licence with you today.”
“Licence?” Jules asked softly as her brow furrowed. “You mean for the ceremony? I thought we would just do the banns.”
Gregory chuckled and shook his head. “My mother would never dream of it. She actually is set upon a special licence so that she can have her pastor perform the ceremony in the rose garden,” he said with a smile.
“A special licence? Isn’t that a bit extravagant?” Jules looked a bit put out, but Gregory had no idea why.
Gregory ran a hand through his hair as he thought. He said calmly, “That’s more the reason that Mother wants it. She wants to solidify that we are doing well and can afford such things.”
“Oh,” Jules said with a frown. “I take it that she does not know that the engagement is a false one?”
With a smile, Gregory asked, “Is it a false one? After all, people have married with less in common than we have.”
“Are you saying that you truly wish to marry me?” Jules’ eyes were round, and she looked positively scandalized by the very idea of such a thing.
Gregory chuckled. “You are willing to falsify an engagement, but the idea of going through with it offends you? Do you have something against the institution?”
“Of course not,” Miss Kelley said, her nostrils flaring in indignation. “I was just led into this betrothal under false pretences. If you intended it to be a real union, then you should have been honest about it, Your Grace.”
Gregory noted the edge that the woman said his title with, and he forgave it. She had, after all, been caught off-guard. “I assure you that when this all started, I intended to keep my side of the bargain, Miss Kelley. I just have developed a fondness for you that I believe means something. Is there nothing about me that you find appealing?”
For just a moment, Gregory thought the woman might actually answer, but the moment passed as she waved off his question. Gregory stood up and offered her his hand. “Let us take a walk and continue this debate later, shall we?” Jules seemed reluctant to agree but eventually took Gregory’s hand and allowed the man to lead her towards the rose garden.
***
The roses were indeed in full bloom, and Jules breathed in their lovely perfume as she walked along with The Duke by her side. The morning sun was fully awake at last as it rose to dry the dew off of the leaves in the garden. If not for the nervousness that Jules felt, it would have been a truly wonderful walk.
“I can see why your mother would pick this venue as a place for a ceremony,” Jules noted aloud.
The Duke nodded. “It is quite breathtaking,” he agreed. “Your mother and siblings would, of course, return for the ceremony. My mother, brother, and, unfortunately, my uncle would also be in attendance as witnesses.”
Talk of the wedding ceremony made a knot form in Jules’ stomach. She might have admitted to herself that she held affection for the Duke, but she was not ready to admit it to the Duke or to swear to it in front of God and family. “Your Grace, I have always felt that, as my parents did before me, a marriage should speak of a certain amount of adoration between the couple.”
“Do you think that I do not adore you?” the Duke asked with a smile on his lips.
Jules blushed and stumbled over her words, “It isn’t that, or maybe it is. I do not know.”
“What can I do to assure you that I am devoted to our union?” the man asked with an earnestness that Jules found endearing.
Jules frowned. “I don’t know that either, Your Grace.”
“Gregory,” the Duke insisted.
Jules smiled and said softly, “Gregory.” She had heard Lady St Claire and the Duke’s brother call him by his given name, but it felt strange on her lips with the knowledge of who the man was.
The Duke smiled in pleasure at her saying his name, and she shook her head at the man. “Do you have any thoughts on where you would like the ceremony? If I do get the special licence, it could be wherever you choose, my mother’s wishes aside.”
Jules laughed. “You really aren’t going to take no for an answer, are you?”
“It isn’t in my blood,” the Duke said with almost an apologetic smile.
Jules shook her head. “I think here would be fine, or a church. When would this all take place, if it were to take place?” Jules was careful to qualify her statement to keep the man’s boundless enthusiasm in check.
“In a week’s time would be the usual allotment, but that can be moved around to suit you,” the Duke said graciously.
