Page 46 of The Duke Meets His Match

“Well, Your Grace, I have observed you to be an exceptionally astute gentleman.But frequently, people show only what they wish for us to see, do they not?”

George had no argument whatsoever for that; he took in a deep breath and exhaled, working to get his emotions under control. “I shall keep your words in mind,” he said.

“Thank you, Your Grace, that is all I ask. I do hope you’ll forgive my outspokenness,” Foster said meekly.

“Think nothing of it,” George muttered.

Foster bowed and left the room.

Once again, George found himself alone, and once again, his mind began running in circles.Quite fatigued in mind as well as body.Our agreement is flawed, and I am reconsidering, her note said. We wish to share this happy occasion with you. Furthermore, we expect these nuptials to take place very soon. Prinny’s words.George gripped the mantel with both hands, lowered his head, and stared blankly at the cold grate of the fireplace. He hadn’t asked for any of this. One week ago, he’d been living his life as he’d seen fit, working behind the scenes to do his part in bringing this infernal war to an end. And now ...

The door opened, and George turned to see who’d entered the room this time. Thankfully, it wasn’t Foster again, here to offer more sage advice. It was Miss Jennings. Susan. She closed the door and stayed next to it, her hands clasped in front of her, a somber expression on her face.

George straightened and stepped away from the fireplace. “You requested advice,” he said. “And so I am here.” He gestured to the sitting arrangement in front of the fireplace. “Will you be seated?”

She crossed the room, choosing to sit on the settee that faced the fireplace, so George chose the chair that sat at a right angle to her. Her face was pale, he noticed, her smattering of freckles more visible as a result, making her solemn countenance appear ... vulnerable?

The woman he’d considered to be a harpy,vulnerable? It brought Foster’s words back into mind.

“One cannot anticipate all the consequences that result when one makes a particular choice,” she said at last.

George waited for her to say more and willed his hands not to clench.

“I have seen my future the past few days, and I do not like what I see.”

“I’m listening,” George said.

“For example,” she said, “I have never been bothered by idle gossip or the occasional barb disguised as flattery. I have always simply brushed them off. I am not a person easily overcome by my sensibilities. But I have also never been bombarded by it in such a manner as I have endured the past three days.”

“Bombarded, you say?”

“Yes,” she exclaimed. “Under siege, assailed, entrapped, surrounded—”

“I take your point,” he said. “I confess, I have not observed this bombardment you describe.”

“That is because you areAylesham, and the crowds part like the Red Sea whenyou enter a room and begin bowing and scraping and licking your boots—”

“I said I take your point,” he repeated with an edge in his voice.

“I’m not sure that you do,” Miss Jennings snapped. “Which is precisely the reason I am reconsidering our arrangement!”

***

Susan wanted to shake him. Grab his shoulders and shake him until his head flopped back and forth. It was the most unladylike thing she’d ever considered doing, even considering she’d grown up with five brothers, but she didn’t care. For he simply sat there wooden faced, those black eyes of his glinting back at her but giving her nothing.

“I’m listening,” he said again in what sounded like a bored voice.

Certain she truly would throttle him, she abruptly stood and stepped towardthe fireplace and then turned to face him. “Where shall I begin?” she said, matchinghis bored tone with a sarcastic one of her own. “I have endeavored toignore the swell of murmuring. I have endured the legion of staring eyes, likea parliament of owls following our every move, at church and the opera andeverywhere we have ventured to go. I have been tempted to count the number of fans that snap in front of ladies’ faces whenever you and I enter a room. I am not used to such attention—I’m not used toanyattention, for that matter—and while I confess I knew this betrothal would draw interest, I had no idea it would to the extent that it has.” She stopped speaking to take a breath.

“Is that everything?” he asked.

Was hereallythat oblivious?

“Not in the least, Your Grace. During the past three days, I have striven to remember the names of the dozens—nay,hundreds—of people to whom I have been introduced and keep all of their names and faces sorted afterward.”

“And?” he said.

“And?” she said in return, her voice rising. “And, you ask? Very well.Andwhile I am doing my best to retain all of this information, I am being probed in rather clever ways by all and sundry about our connection, requiring that I be creative in my replies and careful of what I say, lest my words come back to haunt us. It is exhausting work.”

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