Page 45 of Married to the Forbidden Duke
“Well, I should meet him first, to ensure he is the right fit for you,” Alice decided. “After all, I wouldn’t want to throw you away on a scoundrel.”
“He is noscoundrel,Your Grace.”
“Call me Alice, dear. Now, the Duke told me about a soiree in two days’ time. I can’t remember whose, but if Frederick is going, I imagine your brother is, too.”
“Oh, yes,” Helena chimed. “So will I.”
“Excellent. Make sure your Mr. Kingsley is there.” Alice winked. “And I shall do what I can.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Now Alice had somewhat of a goal, she found life to be a lot more satisfying. She had her riding, she had her exercises, and she had her newfound intention of seeing Helena married to the man she wished to marry.
Provided, of course, that he was suitable.
This was what being a Duchess was about, she realized. And really, it wasn’t so bad. The Duke was good to her, she had more freedom in his household than she ever had at home, and she also had the power to make things happen.
“Frederick…” she murmured in the carriage to the soiree. “Might I ask you for a favor?”
He raised his brows at the sound of his Christian name. “You must want it badly if you are prepared to ask me.”
“It’s about Helena.”
His brows creased. “What about her?”
“She is in love with a young man whom I think she ought to be able to marry.”
His fingers drummed across his knee; she found her gaze unaccountably drawn to that simple movement. “And why is this any of my concern?”
“Well, you are close friends with her brother.”
“Why does that mean I should intercede on her behalf?” He tilted his head at her. “What has you so eager to stand in her defense, anyway?”
“Because she is a shy girl who is too afraid to speak up for herself,” Alice replied. “And because isn’t that one of the honors of being a Duchess? I have the influence to make things happen.”
“And if it is a passing infatuation?”
“She is twenty, Frederick. Do you think I was foolish and didn’t know my own mind at twenty?”
“Would you have rather married whichever boy you had a fancy for at twenty, then?”
Alice lifted her chin. “You mean, if I’d been given a choice?”
“If you could choose now,” he added smoothly. “Think of someone you had an inclination for. Would you choose them now?”
The honest answer wasno. She would never have chosen any of her beaus to marry, and they certainly hadn’t chosen her after the accident.
“I never felt anything strongly enough for any of them,” she shrugged. “Helena is in love. She told me so herself.”
His brows rose. “So you have never been in love?”
“Is that so surprising? The time when I might best have met a gentleman to fall in love with, I was convalescing. My aunt and uncle hardly encouraged visitors.”
“I see.”
“What of you?” she swiftly put in. “Have you ever been in love?”
He considered her carefully, and her cheeks burned.
