Page 84 of The Duke of Seduction
Chapter 15
Like the skylark brings its sweet song to air,
Her wisdom and poise have none to compare.
Forgiveness! Compassion! Her heart unbound.
For mortals, her beauty shall be renowned.
-FromIn Praise of Miss Phoebe Lennox
by The Duke of Seduction
Gage openedthe door for Beck and immediately took his hat and gloves. “Married, my lord?” He didn’t bother disguising his shock.
“Yes.” Beck started through the drawing room toward his office, expecting Gage would follow.
“I had no idea you were even considering it,” Gage said. “Not that I expect you disclose everything to me.”
“I wasn’t considering it,” Beck revealed honestly as he walked into his office and continued to his desk.
“Well, I trust you will be very happy and that this isn’t a hasty…situation.”
Beck could hear how carefully Gage chose his words. He always strove to be respectful, but also knew that Beck appreciated his counsel. Beck sat down behind his desk. “You’re worried I compromised her and we have to marry.”
“Didn’t you?” The question was devoid of judgment or accusation.
“I proposed to herfirst.” And he’d do it again. “She was on the verge of becoming betrothed to someone else, and I found I couldn’t live with that.”
“That sounds rather definitive,” Gage said.
Because it was. Lavinia had become an important part of his life. He looked forward to every moment he might share with her and had begun to look for them as much as possible. Now, he could be assured of many, many moments for the rest of their lives. He’d never considered that, at least not since he’d had his heart broken. He didn’t like to dwell on things that might never come true, and he’d never imagined he’d fall in love again.
Did that mean he’d fallen in love with Lavinia? He thought so. If he even knew what love was. He thought he had with Priscilla, but this was different. When he contemplated a future without Lavinia, it appeared far bleaker than any of the pain he’d suffered after Priscilla’s rejection.
“Have you set a wedding date yet?” Gage asked. “I should like to prepare the staff for the change in the household.”
Of course he would. As heshould. Beck really hadn’t given this much forethought. He ought to write to Rachel immediately. She would likely want to come to London for the wedding. “It will happen rather quickly,” Beck said. “My bride has an impatient streak.” He swallowed a smile, grateful for her inability to wait. “The banns will be read tomorrow, and the ceremony will take place two weeks from Monday.”
Gage blinked in surprise. “That is fast. As fast as you can manage.”
“Without a special license, yes.” Which he would happily have procured, particularly if it would have pleased Lavinia. That she’d capitulated to her mother’s wishes to give her the wedding she wanted for her daughter revealed her kind and generous nature. Which only made him love her more.
“Is there anything we should do before the new marchioness arrives? We don’t have much time, but I’m sure we could effect some sort of change if any is required.”
Beck stared at him blankly. For the first time, he realized he was going to have to share his home, which he’d always treasured as his private space. It was one thing to share Waverly Court with Rachel and his half brother, especially since he’d begun to expect that George would one day inherit the title. However, now that would not be the case. Everything in his life had changed in the span of this afternoon, and he was just now beginning to understand the impact.
Unease rippled through him, like a stone thrown into a lake, with echoes of movement disrupting the smooth surface. Beck might have a smooth surface, but underneath lurked a dark tangle, which Lavinia had glimpsed today. What would she say the first time he closeted himself in his office and didn’t come out for a day? Would he still do that after they wed?
He leaned back in his chair with a huff and realized Gage was still waiting for him to respond. “I can’t think of any changes right now, but I’ll invite Lavinia to tour the house and solicit her opinion. She’ll require an office of her own. With bookshelves.”
“The upstairs sitting room?” Gage suggested.
That would work, but Beck wondered if he might like having her nearby. If she took the sitting room next door, they could install a door between the chambers and spend many afternoons as they had today…
And yet that would also mean she would be right next door—with specific access—during his darker periods. His gaze drifted to the letter to his desk, and he found he wanted to read that rather than think about this anymore.
It will be fine. You love her. She loves you. Probably.
