Page 75 of The Duke of Kisses
Chapter 13
In the end, Fanny and David had decided it would be best if David didn’t attend the wedding. He did, however, plan to wait for her outside the church so that they could leave directly.
And so he could talk to her father. David had been adamant that he would tell the man it was time to bury the past.
Fanny was nervous throughout the ceremony, but moved to joy as she watched Mercy marry her brother John, at last making Fanny and Patience sisters, at least through marriage.
After the wedding, the guests mingled in the vestibule, but Fanny steered clear of her parents. That didn’t stop them from glowering at her across the gathering of people, and her anxiety shot right back up.
She was so intent on avoiding them that she nearly walked straight into Mr. Duckworth. In his middle thirties, he was a man of average height and thinning blond hair. He bore the florid features of a man inclined to drink, as well as a burgeoning waistline that also proclaimed that habit.
“Good morning, Miss Snowden. You look unbearably lovely this morning.”
Unbearably? She forced a smile. “Good morning, Mr. Duckworth. Thank you for coming to John’s wedding.”
“It puts me in the mood to take a wife again.” He chuckled, his sherry-colored eyes sparkling with mirth. “I should be very honored if you would assume that role.”
Was that supposed to be a proposal? Fanny wasn’t entirely certain, nor did she particularly want to address it as such. “Yes, well, I am leaving for Suffolk immediately.”
He frowned. “So soon? I’d heard you planned to start a workhouse here. Jacob mentioned it to me earlier this morning.”
He had? That was incredibly surprising. Her gaze traveled across the room to where he stood near their parents. He looked very handsome in his wedding finery, and Fanny wondered how long it would be before he took a wife. And would she want to come back to celebrate with him? She might—he seemed to have changed quite a bit, and yet she wasn’t sure she wanted to put herself in her parents’ orbit again.
But she wouldn’t have to. She could travel here with her husband, and they’d stay at the inn, to which she’d become quite partial.
“You’re smiling,” Mr. Duckworth noted. “Are you thinking of the workhouse? It’s a splendid idea, I must say. I’d be delighted to help you with its implementation.”
She blinked at him. In the years she’d known him, he’d never indicated a desire to help anyone. Then again, they’d never discussed it. “That’s very kind of you. I doubt I’ll be starting a workhouse here. We’ll found one in London and see how it goes.”
“Bah, you don’t need to return to London. Marry me, and if you like, we can found one in York.”
He was simply not going to give up. “Except all the other patronesses are in London,” she said sweetly.
“You don’t need them, Miss Snowden,” he said. “My income is rather large. I just can’t let you leave without pressing my suit. I would be a devoted husband and father.”
He already had two children, and since she’d never heard him speak of them, she rather doubted the latter. In any case, she’d had enough of his “suit.” “Mr. Duckworth, while I appreciate your kind…proposal, I am already betrothed to the Earl of St. Ives. We’re to be married within the month.”
His pale brows knitted, causing his entire face to look as though it was puckered. “I heard about that nonsense too. You can’t think he’ll really marry you.”
Nonsense? Just what had her family told him? She sent a scowl in their direction. “Of course he will marry me. Please excuse me.”
She turned and madly searched for a safe haven. Spotting Patience cradling her daughter near the door, Fanny stalked in that direction, eager to be away from Mr. Duckworth.
Patience’s eyes lit as she approached. A petite slip of a woman, Patience never failed to make Fanny feel like a giant. As Fanny had grown taller and Patience remained small, they’d laughed at how odd they looked together.
“You look upset,” Patience said, her features darkening as Fanny came to her side.
“Just annoyed.”
“Because of Duckworth?” Patience swayed gently, and Fanny could see that the baby was sleeping.
“He’s rather persistent in his desire that we wed. He even pretended to want to help with my workhouse.” Fanny had told Patience of her idea earlier during her visit.
Patience snorted. “So charming. I hope you told him you were already betrothed.” Patience had been thrilled to hear the news earlier that morning when Fanny had arrived at the church before the wedding.
“I did, but he said David wouldn’t ever marry me, and you can guess where he heard that.”
Patience was aware of the Snowdens’ dislike of titled gentlemen and of the fact that they didn’t care for Ivy’s duke. She found all of it absolutely maddening as well as absurd. “I’m so sorry, Fanny. I’m sad that you’re leaving so soon, but I do understand why. I’m just glad I got to see you again and that you were able to spend some time with Frances.” She smiled down at her daughter, whom she’d named after her dearest friend.
