Page 84 of The Duke of Desire
He stared at the carpet, a pattern with dark green and blues and browns. Everything blurred together as he thought of the last thing she’d told him, that she’d had a baby, and it had died. He recalled their conversation on Wendover Hill when she’d asked him about the children he’d sired. Her interest—and the edge of disappointment in her tone—now made sense. His heart ached for her.
Children weren’t something he’d ever considered, and yet he suddenly wanted them. With her.
He’d been horrified when he’d realized his error after not pulling out of her, but now he felt strangely at ease. If she was carrying, he’d marry her, of course.
And if she wasn’t?
He couldn’t go back to the way things were. He’d known that for weeks now.
He wantedher. In his arms. In his bed. In his life. As his duchess.
Did he love her? He thought he just might. She was unlike any woman he’d ever known. She provoked him to laughter, drove him to frustration, and made his heart soar.
As happy as that realization made him, he was certain she didn’t feel the same. There was always a guarded look in her eye, a distrust. Given her past, he couldn’t blame her. It was a miracle she’d given him this much.
Which meant she had to feelsomethingfor him. And he could work with that.
He leapt up from the chair and went back upstairs where he rang for Seaver, whom he dispatched with a note for Lords Dartford and Sutton. After cleaning up and getting fully dressed again, he departed for the alehouse, hoping the others would be able to meet him there as he’d requested.
West drank one ale and had started on the second when Dartford and Sutton arrived, sliding into the chairs at his table in the corner.
“Your note sounded dire,” Sutton said, tipping up the brim of his hat.
West’s missive had asked them to meet him at the alehouse to help him sort out a problem.
“I don’t know if it’sdire, but I do require assistance so I don’t cock it up.”
Dartford arched a brow at him. “You think we won’t?”
“Perhaps,” West said. “Particularly when I tell you it involves a lady.”
“Oh hell.” Dartford removed his hat and placed it on the table. “The probability of a cock-up is at least ninety percent.”
West inclined his head with a smile. “Without your help, I estimate a solid hundred percent, so I’ll take whatever you can offer.”
The barmaid brought ale for Dartford and Sutton.
“Does this involve Miss Breckenridge?” Sutton asked. “If it doesn’t, I don’t know if I can help. Aquilla is confident there’s something brewing between the two of you, and I simply can’t disappoint her.”
West leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. “Lady Sutton is correct. I want to propose marriage, but I don’t think Ivy will accept.” He shook his head. “No, I’m fairly certain she won’t.”
Dartford snorted. “Bloody hell, why not? You seem a decent chap—your scandalous reputation notwithstanding.”
“Reputations can be misleading,” Sutton said with more than a touch of irony. “Our wives called me the Duke of Deception. They were correct, but not for the reasons they thought.”
West was aware that Sutton had been known for leading a lady to think marriage was forthcoming only to move on from her without seeking a formal courtship. Beyond that, West wasn’t entirely sure what Sutton meant, nor would he ask. If Sutton wanted to share more, he would. West knew firsthand how reputations could impact someone, for better or for worse. If Ivy’s past were ever to become known, it would be devastating to her. Not thathewould care—he was going to marry her anyway.
“So you need help persuading Miss Breckenridge?” Dartford asked. He picked up his mug and blew out a breath. “I don’t know that we’ll be much help there. Unless you want us to talk to our wives? Have them persuade her?”
“No, nothing like that. If I can’t win her over myself, nothing else will.” Maybe he could convince her to accept him if there was a child, but he didn’t think that would make her very happy, and what kind of marriage would that be? Not the kind he wanted. He desired a marriage where both people entered into it willingly and with hope for the future. “I was thinking that I should ask her employer, Lady Dunn, for permission to court her.” Since Ivy’s parents were not in her life, it seemed the logical thing to do. Plus, Lady Dunn would likely support his courtship. Why would she discourage her companion from a duke?
“That’s a clever approach,” Sutton said. “What do you need us to do exactly?”
“I was hoping your wives could occupy Ivy—Miss Breckenridge—while I speak with Lady Dunn. Perhaps they could invite her to tea.”
Dartford nodded slowly. “Certainly, but it will have to be the day after tomorrow. Lucy’s grandmother has something going on at the house tomorrow.”
“And I’m afraid Aquilla and I are leaving in the morning.” Sutton’s gaze was apologetic. “We have to get back to Sutton Park.”
