Page 15 of Lusting for the Duke's Kiss
Her mother had pointed out that most men were honourable and respectable. But even though she knew many who were, she could not feel the truth of that, any longer. For her, all men felt like a threat. It was an instinctive, deeply felt reaction.
“Even if such an action succeeded,” she said slowly, gazing at the Duke, “there would still be a considerable delay before I was free to marry again, with the posting of bans …”
“I have thought of that,” he interrupted, his green eyes gleaming. “If we are successful, we could travel to Gretna Green or some other place in Scotland where a quick marriage is possible. That would circumvent the need to post bans, and thus delay proceedings.”
She gazed at him, open-mouthed. He truly had thought of everything. And once again, she wondered why he was so eager to marry her, despite it all. She was an abandoned wife, a pariah. If a motion were presented before the court and were successful, she would be a divorcee, which was even lower on the social ladder.
And he was a duke. A peer of the realm who could marry anyone.
She kept gazing at him, prickling with suspicion. It made no sense.Why would he choose her when he could have a lady who was unblemished, free of scandal? Perhaps hewassecretly insolvent. He had mentioned the return of her dowry, or a settlement. Did he need money? Was he so eager to wed her because he would get her dowry, the same way that Frank had got it?
But underneath the suspicion, rising like lava, was a small excitement. She didn’t want to marry him – not at all – but she didn’t want to be married to Frank Blackmore anymore, either. If she managed to procure a divorce, then she would be free of her estranged husband, forever. And more than that, if they could get the return of her dowry, justice would be done.
Frank thought he could walk away from me without any consequences, she thought fiercely.He thought he could take my money and run. I want to show him that I will not lay down and play dead. I will not be treated this way.
The Duke was looking at her expectantly. As were her father and mother.
“So be it,” she said, her resolve glowing within her like a fire. “Let us take him to court and show him that he cannot get away with it.”
Her mother clapped in delight. Her father beamed. The Duke kept gazing at her steadily, not outwardly showing any emotion. But those impossibly green eyes of his were glowing with pleasure.
They all thought that she had consented to marry the Duke if it became possible. But she knew differently. It served her purpose to try to get the divorce. In the meantime, while they waited for proceedings to commence, she would quietly continue her search for the best convent.
It was still her intention to take the veil. But she would have to be surreptitious about it, from now on. If she could enter a convent as a free woman, legally unencumbered by her past, then so much the better.
She knew the possibility of success was remote. But now, she was fired up, and she had to try. At the very least, Frank would be publicly held accountable for his actions. The world would hear the full truth of what he had done to her.
Frank will pay, she thought bitterly.He will pay for the suffering he has caused me.
***
Hetty glanced sideways at the Duke, as they walked in a stilted fashion down the garden path. He was quiet, not saying much at all. It was her mother, who had suggested this walk together after breakfast was finally over, and the plan was put in place to go ahead with trying to get a divorce.
Hetty turned around, feeling eyes upon them. The kitchen curtain was twitching slightly. She smiled to herself. It would be Mama, proud as punch that her poor suffering daughter had at last consented to being courted by a duke.
She could almost feel her mother’s longing, that this dark part of their lives be swept away. That the slate be wiped clean. In Mama’s mind, the answer to the problem of a man was always another.
Her smile twisted. She did not think that way at all. The problem of Frank could not be solved by the Duke of Warwick. It was up to her alone to procure her happiness.
Suddenly, Della came rushing out the back door towards them. Hetty squatted down, her arms wide as the small, golden dog came running to her.
Della leapt on her, trying to lick her face in a frenzy of excitement. Hetty laughed delightedly, caressing the dog.
“Oh, you are a darling,” she crooned. “My little joy …”
“How long have you had her?” asked the Duke, smiling down at them.
“Della is four years old,” she said, laughing harder as the dog eagerlylicked her hands. “We got her from a farmer who lives close by.” She smiled, remembering. “I was the one who chose her. There were six puppies, all squirming over their mother, trying to feed. But Della popped her head up and came to me. I knew then that she was the one.”
“They are a joy, aren’t they?” he said, leaning down and petting the dog. “I have three house dogs, in addition to the hounds that are kept for hunting. My mother always liked Scottish terriers, and so the three I keep are that breed.”
“What are their names?” she asked, gazing at him.
His smile widened. “There is Atlas, who is a grouchy fellow, but is partial to a tickle under the chin,” he said. “Caesar, who is a big softie, always wanting cuddles. And the last is Athena, who is like the mother hen, always nipping and growling at the others to keep them in line.”
Hetty laughed. “They sound like they are quite a pack,” she said. “Pets are a joy. I sometimes think that Della understands me more than anyone else. She is the one who comforts me if I am feeling low.” She hesitated. “It was hard for me to leave her when I married. Do not tell my parents this, but I thought I would miss her more than I would even miss them.”
He gazed at her steadily. “Your secret is safe with me.”
