Page 45 of Duchess in Disguise
“What – why do you think I should be the one to direct our next steps?” she stuttered, confused.
“Well, you are the one with the highest stakes. Your sacrifices have ensured that you have a say. I do want you safe, more than anything. I would rather we put a stop to this once and for all – our luck thus far is not indicative of the absence of danger. We should not push things too far. But… however you wish to proceed, I will at least listen before we decide.” Richard told her earnestly.
There was something different about him today. He was more honest, easily divulging words she firmly believed should be kept secret for some reason. Each time his lips parted and his thoughts spilled from them, her heart felt as though it was moments away from bursting out of her chest.
As heat filled her cheeks, Isobel cleared her throat.
“I… I appreciate that. I felt…utterly alone at the start. But your support has certainly made things easier. I think… I think our accusations have a better chance with evidence. If we accuse blindly without any form of proof, we could escalate matters. Not to mention pointing accusatory fingers at a family member would not be ideal, so close to Valerie’s wedding.”
Richard hummed thoughtfully.
“You are right. We still hope that they will be able to marry, regardless of the trials they are enduring at this moment. But in any case, a disruption like that would not bode well for us. We must be discreet and tactful while we sort this out. We can keep a close eye on your aunt and still investigate the others. My onlyhope is that Adrian arrives early enough to lend his assistance.” The duke said.
Isobel glanced back at her sister, then she reached out to gently tuck Valerie’s hand beneath her covers, ensuring her sister was snuggly wrapped and shielded from the cold.
“I don’t think I ever… I never wanted to tell her that I was happy for her. Not – not that I did not want to. I do not mean to admit my bitterness or anything of the sort. I am truly happy for her, but when I arrived, thoughts of offering my well-wishes were pushed aside due to our father’s request. Such a life… is far from me, but I am so very happy for you, Valerie. I do hope the world celebrates your marriage and gifts you with happy days, and all that you wish for will come to you.” Isobel told her softly.
Valerie’s fast-approaching wedding made Isobel think of her siblings, who were all happily married, and she felt a pang of loneliness. That feeling intensified when her attention strayed to Richard and she realized that he, too, would soon take a wife.
That bothersome feeling returned, and she tried to dispel it by getting some answers to the questions she had about him.
“Will… you really be engaged after the wedding?”
Richard looked up, seemingly caught off guard by her enquiry, but he indulged her nonetheless.
“Yes,” he said. “The matter… should have been dealt with long ago.”
He did not sound as though there was any emotional reason behind his choice. Surely…
“And the woman whom you will marry? You said you had a woman you intended to marry. Can you… Would I be too forward if I asked what she was like?” Isobel asked carefully.
Richard went still for a moment, then he tilted his head slightly.
“She is in many ways a proper lady. Which makes her an ideal choice to become my wife.”
Isobel thought he was joking and snorted. But when his eyes narrowed, she realized her mistake.
“Is – is that all? Surely you jest. That cannot be the reason why you wish to marry her.”
“That is all that matters to me.”
Something in Isobel twisted in despair.
“That cannot be the case. It should not be. What about love? Understanding? Camaraderie – at the very least. You are choosing the woman you will spend the rest of your days with,and the choice was made based on propriety?” she asked, feeling herself get strangely more upset by the minute.
This man… There was more to him than his manners and values. She had gotten a glimpse of the parts of him he had tried to hide under airs and his title. And she believed that he deserved someone who would make him comfortable enough to beckon forth his real side.
“I do not need any of those things, so they are inconsequential to my choice,” Richard told her with a frown.
“That’s preposterous. My older brother is a duke as well! I am sure he is just as burdened by his title as you are – perhaps even more so, because when he inherited it, our father had just passed. He had to work hard to ensure that our family was safe and cared for. Our older sisters were already married, so he simply had to handle the affairs of our late father’s estate and provide for my mother and I. Even then, I know that he struggled greatly because your high and mighty society looks down on us Scots. But he upheld his own values and married the woman he loved, rather than making a choice that would have earned the approval of those around him. Is it so difficult for you to –”
“I am sorry that your brother went through difficulties during his succession. I am sorry your family encountered so many struggles. But our situations are not at all similar. To me, a marriage is simply about choosing a woman who will be a good duchess, suitable for the Dellamare name. Nothing more.”Richard said sternly, as though he could not permit her to make more speculations on his behalf.
She nodded, not wanting to upset him further. Whatever the case was, the choice was inevitably his to make.
“I hope that you are happy together, anyway,” Isobel said quietly.
Richard looked surprised by the sentiment and nodded slowly.
