Page 36 of The Duke Meets His Match

“I have many questions I wish to have answered,” Susan said. “Assurances.” She pulled out the notes she’d written and unfolded the pages.

“Questions indeed,” he murmured.

“Yes. And my final reply will hinge upon the answers you provide.”

“I think you truly must be a lawyer at heart, Miss Jennings, if your copious notes are any indication,” the duke said. “And I say that as a compliment. Let the negotiations commence.”

“Thank you,” she said. “I will begin by pointing out that I have questionsregarding the actual event and how it will take place. These are importantconsiderations, because my family resides in Lincolnshire, and most of them are currently there, excepting James, as you know, and my younger brother,Simon.” Simon, the rascal, was enjoying his young adulthood in ways young ladies were not allowed. As far as Susan knew, he was currently at a house party in the Cotswolds, but that may have changed since she had last heard. “And my youngest sister is laid up with a broken leg at present. How are they to be at nuptials that must occur sooner rather than later and must accommodate the Prince Regent?

“And speaking of my youngest sister—Rebecca is her name—this was to have been a come-out Season for her, to have been provided by the generosity of Lady Walmsley.”

“There is no question that as Duchess of Aylesham, you would be able to sponsor your sister,” the duke replied.

“Thank you, but these are presumptions I do not wish to make, you see. These are precisely the types of assurances I must have.”

“Let me simplify this for you,” His Loftiness said, twirling his quizzing glass between his fingers and beginning to look bored already. “Allow me to take your notes, and I will have my private secretary go over them. Anything you’ve listed of a financial nature, I’m sure we will be able to accommodate, and those that he questions, you and I will discuss later.”

“I think not,” Susan said. “I want you tohearthe various and sundry ways in which your utterance of my name to the Prince Regent has affected me and my family.”

“That sounds rather as though you wish I were standing in the Dock having my list of crimes read aloud to the jury,” the duke said.

“You are making light of a situation I find exceedingly serious,” Susan said.

“Quite the contrary,” he retorted. “I find the situation as serious as death.” He arose and walked to the window; his hands clenched behind his back.

Susan waited, unwilling to be the next one to speak. Finally, after a long and uncomfortable silence, he heaved a sigh and returned to his chair, closing his eyes after he did so, looking fatigued suddenly. “Please proceed with your questions,” he said at last, his eyes still closed. “I will listen carefully to each one and answer to the best of my ability.”

***

George had actually felt a glimmer of hope when he’d arrived at Lady Walmsley’s house today and seen a completely different woman than the one he’d encountered in the past. Miss Jennings had taken his breath away, what with a few soft curls framing her face and a gown that flattered her exceedingly well. It was undoubtedlya superficial male reaction on his part, but he’d suddenly discovered he was attractedto her. He considered it a positive thing.

Listening to her detailed analysis of his proposal was not nearly as enjoyable,however, and Miss Jennings had only just begun going through her litany ofquestions. He had become impatient and had spoken harshly. It had been poorly done of him.Hehad put her in this situation, after all, and owed her the courtesy of listening to her concerns on the matter.

Perhaps his insubordinate friends and employees were correct in assessinghis state of health, after all, for he felt exhausted. He must be having a relapse to feel this way, certainly. The rigors of the past few months, coupled with Prinny’s machinations, had finally caught up with him. The last thing he wished to do was listen to Miss Jennings go through her copious bargaining points.

But he’d told her he’d listen, so he would.

“You’re not paying attention,” she said.

“I most certainly am,” he said.

“Your mind has been elsewhere this entire time.”

“What makes you say that?” he asked, feeling indignant.

“Your eyes.”

“My eyes.” He opened them a crack.

“Yes,” she said, squinting her own eyes at him.

“You are concerned about your little sister and her broken leg and whether your family will be in attendance at your wedding,” George said. “You wonder at my finances and assurances of my wealth and generosity toward your family members, should it be needed. You are concerned about the reaction Society will have when our betrothal is officially announced, especially as the ceremony will occur shortly thereafter, and the gossip that will proceed as a result—not that you are concerned for yourself, I would venture to say, but for your little sister’s ability to be accepted by Society when she makes her eventual come-out. You wonder about your inadequacy of being a duchess and whether you will get on with my household staff and whether they will respect you. You wonder at our living arrangements and whether I will merely resume the life I have led prior to this point, leaving you to fend for yourself and find your own way. Shall I go on?”

She glared at him. “I didn’t mention most of those.”

“True, but I am trying to point out to you that I amfullyaware of the complicated situation in which I have put you. For you to rehearse them all to me is a waste of precious time. I wish to get to the core of your concerns. The rest we may figure out as we go.”

“You are assuming I will say yes to your offer,” she said.

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