Page 39 of The Duke Meets His Match

Chapter 9

“You are what?” James asked,his voice crescendoing on his last word.

“Betrothed to the Duke of Aylesham,” Susan said. It did sound rather incredulous, even to her. She didn’t blame James at all for his reaction.

He turned and glared at the gentleman standing by the window. “What have you done, Aylesham?” he asked in an accusing tone. “You didn’t even know my sister before this week. It’s incomprehensible! What are you up to?”

Susan patted James’s arm. One of the agreements she and the Duke ofAylesham—she couldn’t quite think of him as George yet—had made was that they would put on a united front with their story: they had become acquainted the year previous, and their connection had resumed upon Susan’s arrival in London. It was as close to the truth as possible. One of the duke’s other caveats had been that Susan appear enthusiastic about their betrothal. “It is the only way to convince Prinny,” he’d said before James had arrived. “We must appear besotted with each other—within reason, of course. If you were to be overly effusive, I doubt anyone would believe it.”

“I suspect that actually applies more to you than it does to me,” Susan had told him. “Society would expect a countrified spinster to swoon with happinessat the prospect of marrying a duke, whereas expecting a duke—especiallythisduke”—she’d looked pointedly at him—“to be enthralled with a countrifiedspinster is not nearly so believable.”

At any rate, now she must attempt her first performance—informing Aunt Margaret hadn’t counted as a performance because the dear lady had been too busy hugging and kissing Susan and hugging and kissing the duke, which had been less awkward than Susan had expected it to be, and exclaiming over her happiness that the two of them had found each other and how glad she was to have played a part ... so Susan had simply smiled and nodded and shown Aunt Margaret the ruby ring and had left most of the talking to the duke.

Aunt Margaret had then proceeded to instruct Foster to tell Mrs. Drake that the duke would be dining with them that evening. Whether the duke had previous plans or not, he hadn’t said; he’d simply acknowledged the invitation with thanks. Susan had then sent a note to James, inviting him to dine with them as well. If she’d known Simon’s address, she would have sent a note to him too, although he was probably still in the Cotswolds with his friends.

“James,” she said, still patting his arm. “Is it impossible to believe that we discovered an affection for each other?”

“Quite frankly,yes, Susan, to put it bluntly,” he said. He stood and strode over to the duke. “I don’t know what is going on, but,by thunder,I’m going to find out. You’re myfriend, Aylesham, or at least I believed you to be. I will not be having you abuse that friendship or take advantage of my sister.”

“I’m not sure what should offend me more,” the duke said in a deceptively bored tone that clearly issued a warning, “that you believe I would dishonor our friendship in such a manner as you suggest or that your low opinion of your sister’s overall appeal should make me call you out in defense of her.” He brushed past James and walked to Susan, taking her hand in his and raising her to her feet, and then he planted a perfectly believable kiss on her cheek.

“You see, James?” Susan said. She hoped she sounded calmer than she actually felt—his kisses seemed to have quite an effect on her. “You must simply acceptthat the Duke of Aylesham—George”—she smiled at the duke—“and I havecome to an understanding. Perhaps it seems sudden, but we are both adults who know our own minds. We wish to marry, and quickly too—this Monday week.” The haste had been another of the duke’s caveats. Nine days from today—onlynine days—but he thought it imperative they marry before the arrival of Princess Sophia Augusta and her parents.

“What?” James exclaimed again, crossing the room back to her; it rather seemed he couldn’t stay still. “A week Monday? I can scarce believe what I am hearing! How are our parents and our brothers and sisters to attend on such short notice, Susan? And where will these supposed nuptials take place?”

“St. George’s on Hanover Square,” the duke responded smoothly. “Andthere is nothing ‘supposed’ about it. As to your family, it is my understanding that your youngest sister is currently infirm, and a sister-in-law gave birth not long ago. Susan and I are in agreement that we marry now rather than later. I do not wish to go through the Season without my bride at my side, you see, nor do I wish to impose upon your family. We shall have a small ceremony, as I have no immediate family, and then we shall journey to Lincolnshire later in the Season to celebrate with one and all.”

James narrowed his eyes at the duke. “Marry now and hold a family celebrationin Lincolnshire later in the Season, you say.” There were undertones in his words that Susan didn’t quite understand.

“Precisely,” the duke said.

“You are in full accord with this?” James asked, abruptly turning toward her.

Susan smiled as confidently as she could. “I am. And it is my hope that you will stand in for Papa and give me away, James. I am not so girlish that I need such sentimental touches, but having you there in his place would be a comfort.”

“Of course, dear sister.” He opened his arms to her. Susan stepped into them,and he wrapped his arms about her tightly, and she drew in as much strength fromhim as she could. “I only want your happiness,” he murmured in her ear. “We had quite given up hope that you would ever marry, you know, especially after—well, never mind that. If you have found love at last with Aylesham—Aylesham, of all people—then my felicitations to you both. You have my support.”

“Thank you, Jennings,” the duke replied drolly from behind Susan. “I didn’t realize I was as unlovable as you seem to think I am.”

“I’m still suspicious,” James said. “But as I love my sister, and more than that, I trust her intellect and her reason, I am suspending my suspicions for the time being and choosing to support her decision in this.”

“Very generous of you,” the duke said.

“Yes, it is,” James replied.

“Well, that’s settled, then,” Susan said firmly, stepping back from James and smiling as brightly as she could. “There is much to do between now and Monday week.”

“To that end,” the duke said, “if I may, tomorrow I shall accompany you and Lady Walmsley to church services. You may join us if you like, Jennings.The sooner I am seen publicly with my betrothed, the better, and yourbrotherlysupport is welcome. Then first thing Monday, I shall instruct my secretary,Henshaw, to draft an announcement for the papers; afterward, he and I shalljoin you here, Susan, so we may outline our agenda for the week and determinewhat must be done and by whom.”

“Excellent,” Susan said. “Now, if you are both agreeable, I shall informLady Walmsley that we are ready to dine. I myself am famished, I understand the illustrious Duke of Aylesham is in need of increased sustenance, and mybrother is always hungry.” She crossed the room without waiting for theirresponses and tugged on the bell pull. Foster immediately opened the door. “Please thank Lady Walmsley for her patience and inform her that we are ready to join her for supper.”

“I shall, Miss—”

“Tut, Foster, I can already hear what she’s saying,” Lady Walmsley said. Apparently, she’d been behind Foster the entire time—probably pacing theentrance hall, Susan imagined with a smile, listening to what they were discussing and wishing she were a part of it all. But some discussions needed the illusion of privacy, and this had been one of them. “Susan, my dear, supper is ready, and Mrs. Drake has outdone herself for the occasion. Butyoumust begin as you mean to go; you are to be a duchess, and that means you must dress for supper. Off, now, and be quick. Go!” She actually shooed Susan on her way.

Susan half expected to hear James and the duke laughing over Lady Walmsley’scomments, but the parlor was suspiciously quiet. Her clever and intuitive brother would take more convincing than she and the Duke of Aylesham had given him.

***

---