Page 56 of If the Duke Dares
Perversely, he realized he had Bane and his roguery to thank for his association with Persey. Acton was still going to plant him a facer.
Chapter13
As soon as Acton disappeared down the stairs, Aunt Lucinda steered Persephone back into the drawing room. “How did things go with Wellesbourne?”
Persephone had been surprised and even annoyed that he’d called when she’d specifically asked him not to. However, after hearing that he’d thought she was the one Bane had compromised and seeing his outrage, she couldn’t help but feel flattered. Or perhaps something more than that—the butterfly from the coach had reappeared in her belly.
Then, when he’d learned it was Pandora who was suffering, his desire to help hadn’t lessened. He was even willing to pretend to court Persephone to elevate Pandora’s standing.
Hopefully, that would work.
If not, Persephone and Pandora would leave Bath as soon as possible.
“Persey? Did he upset you?” Aunt Lucinda prodded as she sat down in her favorite chair.
Realizing she’d been chasing her thoughts about Acton, Persephone shook her head, both in response and to drive a certain rogue from her mind. She lowered herself to a settee near her aunt. “Not at all. We, ah, discussed the weather and Bath. He hasn’t spent much time here.”
“That’s right. His mother lives here. Or lived—I understand she spends a great deal of time at the dowager house at his estate now.”
“Do you know the dowager?” Persephone asked.
“Not as well as your mother, but yes, we have been friendly over the years.”
She was curious about his mother. “It’s sad that the duchess and his sisters lived separately from him and his father.”
“I don’t know if it’s sad or not. The duchess always seemed in good spirits. She’s been a prominent member of Bath Society, and her daughters made excellent marriages. I imagine the duke played some role in the background. It’s not as if they were completely unfriendly. For as long as the duke was alive, the duchess went to London to oversee the annual ball at Wellesbourne House.”
“That seems so strange to me,” Persey mused. “To live separate lives, but come together for a social event. What of holidays or special occasions?”
Aunt Lucinda shrugged. “Their marriage was arranged, I believe, and it may be that they didn’t particularly suit. They made the best of it. I would advise you not to do that if you can help it. Marry someone with whom you look forward to spending your life.”
“Someone I love?”
“That would be ideal, but sometimes love is difficult to attain. And hold.” She smiled faintly. “I think Hal and I loved each other at the start,” she said, referring to her late husband. “But it didn’t last. We respected and enjoyed each other, though, and I do think that’s more than most have.”
Persey barely remembered her Uncle Hal. He’d died when she was eight. “I don’t know that I’ll have to worry about any of that,” she said wryly.
“Why would you say such a thing? Just because the right man hasn’t crossed your path yet doesn’t mean he won’t.”
Acton had literally stepped into her path. Or she’d stepped into his. But that was the second time they’d met, when she’d run into him on the street. Even their first meeting was a chance occasion. If she hadn’t run from her parents, they wouldn’t have met.
At least not that night. They would have met, however, just at Loxley Court. Under very different circumstances. She wondered how it might have gone. Alas, she would never know.
Did she regret that missed opportunity? The chance to see if they would actually have suited?
It was hard not to consider that possibility in the aftermath of their kisses. They weren’t the first ones she’d experienced, but they were, by far, the best. It made her sad to think she wouldn’t get to do that with him again.
Except she was forgetting the Rogue Rules, particularly never give a rogue a chance, never doubt a rogue’s reputation, and never trust a rogue to change. While she’d come to trust him and even like him, she’d do well to remember that men like him didn’t just suddenly stop being rogues.
Aunt Lucinda gave her a teasing smile. “In fact, I wonder if that man crossed your path this very morning.”
Persephone froze. “Wellesbourne?”
“Why not? He certainly seems interested. He was most eager to meet you. When you didn’t arrive at Loxley Court, he went to Radstock Hall to see you, despite being told you were ill, and when you weren’t there, he found you in Bath.” As she tapped her nails on the wooden arm of her chair, her mouth turned down. “To think your parents continued on to Loxley Court instead of rushing to Radstock Hall to ensure you were home safe is positively horrid. What did they plan to do, arrange the marriage without you present? Without your consent?”
Persephone couldn’t answer yes, for they would wonder how she could know. “I would guess that was their intent.”
“It doesn’t seem they went directly home from Loxley Court either, or at least the duke didn’t mention that. Where on earth are they? Perhaps they’re still at Loxley Court waiting for you and the duke to arrive,” Lucinda suggested sardonically. “I will send word to Radstock Hall that you are here.”
