Page 72 of The Duke Meets His Match

“Did you ever stop to consider, Papa, that it ispreciselybecause Iamclever and sensible that I am betrothed?” Susan asked, reaching for the teacup Lady Walmsley was offering her and taking a sip. “Thank you, Aunt Margaret, it’s perfect, as always.”

George noted that Lady Thurlby’s eyebrow rose nearly to her hairline when Susan referred to Lady Walmsley as Aunt Margaret.

“And you prefer milk, if I’m remembering correctly,” Lady Walmsley said to George, oblivious to Lady Thurlby’s surprised reaction.

“Yes, thank you,” he responded, trying to keep his expression neutral. He was sorely tempted to laugh at Susan’s question to her father. How magnificent she was!

“And you, Lord Thurlby?” Lady Walmsley asked.

“Milk and two lumps, thank you,” Lord Thurlby said. “I’m waiting, and I’m all ears, daughter. Please explain.”

“I have been quiet up until now,” George said before Susan could speak. “ButI feel I must speak. I will not pride myself in claiming to be either particularly clever or sensible these past several days, but I will wholeheartedly claim to be themost fortunateof men to be betrothed to your daughter. She is my other half. We still wish to marry this Monday and are grateful you are here to celebrate the joyous occasion with us and give us your blessing.” He glanced at Susan. She wasbeaming at him.

“Well,” Lord Thurlby said, “I believe there are particulars I am still interested in hearing first. But for now, that being said”—he raised his teacup in the air—“I will make a toast: to my beloved daughter and my soon-to-be son-in-law, should he pass my inspection. And assuming he does, may this Monday bring them a long and happy life together, full of love and respect ... and may it provide me with more grandchildren.”

“Papa!” Susan exclaimed.

“I’ll drink to that,” George said, clinking his teacup against Lord Thurlby’s. “I do need an heir and a spare, at the very least.” He took a sip of tea and watched in satisfaction as Susan’s face turned bright red.

“Susan comes from fine, fertile stock, you know,” Lord Thurlby said.

George nearly choked on his tea as he burst out laughing.

“Thomas, really,” Lady Thurlby said with a chiding look. “Lady Walmsley and the Duke of Aylesham will think we have no propriety at all!”

“Not in the least, Lady Thurlby, I assure you,” George said. He had never had a family. He had only vague memories of his father, and portraits of his mother and father hung at his county estate and at other properties, but he’d essentially had no relatives until this new heir apparent had been located in Van Diemen’s Land. It was fascinating to watch Susan and her parents interact with each other, for he was seeing it all from a new perspective.

As of Monday, George would be married. He would have a wife and a family of his own. It would take some getting used to, but he expected he would adjustfairly easily, considering how congenial Susan’s family was being, under thecircumstances. He found he liked them already. He smiled to himself and took another sip of tea.

***

“I understand that he’s a duke, and he’s certainly handsome,” Mama said after George and Papa had left the room to converse separately. “But, Susan! You’ve known him barely more than a week, and it would seem that most of that timeyour relationship with him was contentious rather than anything remotelyromantic.”

“That is true, Mama,” Susan replied. “And yet, I couldn’t be more certain. Of theman, Mama. If he were a duke or a dustman, it would make no difference to me.”

“That is quite a declaration,” Mama said. “But I will need more convincing to be at peace with what seems to me to be a rash decision.”

“Perhaps I may shed some light on the matter,” Aunt Margaret said. “Ihave known the Duke of Aylesham since he was a lad. My dear friend Lady Bledsoe came out with his mama, you see, and grieved terribly when her dear friend died in childbirth. She took a special interest in the boy and even more so after the death of his father. To lose both parents, and so young, too, well, it fairly breaks one’s heart.”

“I have heard of Lady Bledsoe,” Mama said. “Although, I have never met her.”

“She has been genuinely kind to me, Mama,” Susan said. “As has everyone. I truly think if the Duke of Aylesham were known to have a bad reputation, any one of the fine ladies I’ve met thus far would have warned me.” Susan realizedas she said the words that they were true. “I know my own mind, Mama. Iam completely at peace with the decision to marry the Duke of Aylesham on Monday, and I hope you and Papa will be too.”

“Well,” Mama said with a sigh, “if it were anyone butyou, Susan, I would consider this marriage impulsive and of questionable judgment. But as itisyou telling me all of this, and I can hear the conviction in your voice, I’m inclined to trust you, heaven help me.”

“I’m so delighted!” Aunt Margaret exclaimed. “We have waited a long time for Aylesham to find the wife he deserves. And I believe wholeheartedly Susan is that person.”

“I rather care more thatheis the husbandSusandeserves,” Mama said.

“Oh, Mama!” Susan said. She set her teacup down and knelt next to Mama, throwing her arms around her. “How glad I am that you and Papa are here! How I love you both!”

“I couldn’t agree with you more, Lady Thurlby,” Aunt Margaret said. “It is so satisfying to see two young people discover the bloom of new love, is it not? And to think I was able to be a part of it all fills my heart to bursting!”

“Lady Walmsley has been like a fairy godmother to me, Mama,” Susan said,squeezing Mama’s hands in reassurance. “And you know I was never one tobelieve in fairy tales.”

“There is nothing fairy-like about me,” Aunt Margaret said. “It is love that creates the magic.” She picked up the teapot. “More tea, Lady Thurlby?” she asked.

“Thank you, Lady Walmsley,” Mama said. “I believe I am content for now.”

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