Page 47 of The Duke Meets His Match

“I can see how that might be somewhat rigorous,” he said.

“Rigorous,” Susan said, her temper nearly at its peak. “Yes,rigorouscertainly sums it up. ‘Gracious, what arigorouscouple of days we’ve had, Your Grace,’” she said, mocking him. “Oh, did I forget to mention the dozens of little comments I’ve heard whispered behind my back? Meant for my ears, not yours. “Let’s see”—she tapped her chin in feigned thought—“‘I cannot imagine what he couldpossibly see in her,’ or, ‘What sort of hold does that odious old cow have over the duke, do you think?’ or—”

“Enough,” the duke said, rising to his feet.

“Oh, I’ve just begun,” Susan declared in a low voice, facing him, her angerburning like hot coals within her heart. “The eyes, the whispers, the introductionsad nauseam, all peppered with subtle barbs intended to sting. And theydosting. But that is not all.” She began to pace. “Then there is the new clothing.”

“I thought ladies liked—”

“I have lived modestly, Your Grace, happily so. I have had no need for anelaborate wardrobe. I was barely coming to terms with Lady Walmsley’s generositywhen, suddenly, I am inundated with day dresses, riding habits, evening gowns, ball gowns, gloves, slippers, bonnets—”

The duke held up his hand for her to stop, but at least he didn’t say, “I get your point,” or she truly might have hit him.

Susan ignored him and continued on. “I did not expect such a generous gift from Lady Walmsley, nor did I ever ask for the wardrobe she bought for me, and I have felt a great deal of guilt over receiving it.”

“You needn’t feel guilty about—”

“Oh, I don’t feel guilty about the expenseyouincurred from the additions to my wardrobe,” Susan declared hotly. “No, in that regard, what I feel isresentment.”

Her words stopped him cold, and Susan watched as his countenance darkenedwith intensity. He stood and moved toward her until they were face-to-face; Susan held up her hand, forcing him to stop, and looked up at him defiantly, for she had not finished speaking her mind. “How are you any different from the Prince Regent when you set about getting what you want at the cost of another person? When you promise advantages but are entirely indifferent to the needs and desires of that person, so consumed you are by your own wants and expectations?”

Her eyes burned, but shewould notallow tears to fall. She would not allowherself to appear weak before this man. “And then today,” she continued, “anesteemed group of ladies spent the bulk of the afternoon instructing me on the responsibilities of being a duchess. They were kind, mind you, but it was apparent that they were concerned for me and for my ability to join their ranks.”

“I highly doubt—”

“The words as such were never spoken, naturally,” Susan said, “but while Lady Walmsley and I were taking tea with these duchesses and marchionesses and countesses—ladies with whom I haveneverbeen acquainted before this week—the pitying looks in their eyes convinced me that it was time to inform you of mymyriadconcerns.”

“First of all—”

“I have barely scratched the surface!” she cried. “For my entire life, I have believed myself to be a strong person. But I will tell you—”

“Enough!” he exclaimed. “You have continually interrupted me thus far, andnow it ismyturn to speak.” He took a deep breath and then exhaled, appearing to try to calm himself and then looked squarely at her. “I have listened to you, and I assure you that I have heard every word you have uttered. You have made it abundantly clear that the past few days have been overwhelming in a variety of ways and in manners more extreme than I had foreseen. Perhaps I should have anticipated such a response from thebeau monde; my only excuse is that I have been under significant duress over this matter myself.

“Let us sit and discuss your concerns as two rational beings, setting asidethe emotions of the past few days,” he said. “For, despite your concerns, which I concede are valid, we are more entangled now than ever. We must find a way through this, Miss Jennings.”

“If I were to go home to Lincolnshire,Iwould not be entangled at all,” she said.

His gaze felt solid and strong, his words too reassuring, and her tears nearly escaped. If only ...

“Is that what you wish?” he asked.

She could not say aloud what she wished. “I am willing to discuss the matter further,” she said at last.

“I am glad,” he said. “May I?” he asked, extending his hand palm up to her.

Susan hesitated ... and then placed her hand in his. She assumed he’d meantrelievedrather thanglad. For gladness denoted joy and pleasure, and she had seen little evidence to convince her that the Duke of Aylesham truly felt any of those things when it came to her.

***

George was taken aback at what Miss Jennings had told him. But more than that, he was ashamed of himself, for she was essentially correct: he had beenmore concerned with his own predicament than in recognizing the extent of the sacrifice she was making on his behalf.

Unfortunately, they were both deep in the mire now—he more so than she, for she was also correct in that should she prefer to live the rest of her life quietly in Lincolnshire, she undoubtedly could.

He led her back to the settee and sat beside her, turning his body slightly so he could face her more directly and taking her hand in his again once they were settled. “Let us sit quietly for a while,” he said. “Shall we?”

She nodded in reply, so they sat side by side, her hand in his, and he allowed the silence to surround them for a time.

As he did, he studied her closely—more closely than he ever had before. She was not in the flush of youth; her features were those of a mature woman. Her bosom rose and fell with each breath she took as she tried to contain the intense emotions he’d observed in her, and he realized that when she was animated—which she frequently was, especially when expressing her opinions, which shefrequently did—she was attractive. Her hair was a cluster of loose curls arranged high on her head, with a few errant ones softening the line of her forehead andcheeks. Her brows were drawn together as she gazed down on their claspedhands. Dark fringes of eyelashes cast a small shadow on her cheeks, and he could nearly count the freckles across her nose. There weren’t many, but he realized he had a fascination with each one.

---