Page 50 of Taken By the Dangerous Duke

“Are you sure that she is the one who has problems with conversation, Parker?” asked Arthur.

“I might have been too hasty with that diagnosis,” responded Parker. “I believe she is quiet and shy until you get to know her better. Now that I have, I have real problems keeping up. I might have to start reading books other than books about cards and other table games. If I can get talking about those, I stand a chance, but she always manages to maneuver the conversation to something out of my comfort zone.”

“Which would be everything,” noted Arthur.

“That is unfortunately true,” agreed Parker.

“It sounds to me as if she is making you a better person,” said Arthur.

“That is what women do, is it not?” asked Parker, gesturing with his head toward Margaret.

Arthur sighed.

“What is the matter?” asked Parker.

“If I am being honest, I don’t know if I know. A part of me is glad that she has not become pregnant yet, and another part of me wants to keep trying to get her pregnant for as long as possible. It is nice having a woman around.”

“I thought you said you would rather be alone.”

“I didn’t say it quite like that, and I don’t mean it is nice having a woman around, I mean that it is nice to have Margaret around. She is different.”

“How is she different?” asked Parker.

Arthur thought for a moment, and when he looked at his friend, there was a slight smile on his face. “You are trying to trick me into saying that I have feelings for her so you can be proven right. I don’t mean it like that. I like the woman, and I like having her around. That’s all I mean by it. We can’t get pregnant just yet, and if that means she is around for longer, then so be it.”

“Why won’t you just say that you love her?” asked Parker.

“Will you please keep your voice down,” said Arthur. “I don’t love her.”

“Are you sure about that?”

Arthur hesitated for a moment. “Yes, I am sure. Besides, even if I did love her, I do not want a marriage, and she does not love me, so there is no use dwelling on it. Can we just leave it at that?”

“Of course,” said Parker, a serious look on his face.

Arthur expected some more probing questions or a joke of some kind, but there was only a slight look of pity on his face, and Arthur wanted to say something to justify how he was feeling. But he did not know how he was feeling.

He watched as Margaret and Elspeth led the way, looking at the exhibits. She had a jump in her step and a smile on her face. That was all that mattered. She was happy, and if he could continue to make her happy, then he was bringing a little more joy to the world. He was sure that they would get pregnant soon and everything else would become irrelevant.

They went around the Madame Tussaud’s exhibit twice, and Margaret wanted to go around a third time, but everyone was getting hungry, so they went for lunch down by the river.

“Now, what are the most expensive sandwiches?” asked Arthur, looking at the menu.

“You had better be careful,” said Parker. “You are rubbing it in my face now, but I will win the next game, and then you are really going to have to pay.”

“Someone is filled with confidence now,” interjected Margaret. “From the way he played whist the other night, you’d think he might stay a little quieter.”

There was a silence at the table before the laughter erupted from Arthur, and a ferocious giggle burst from Elspeth. Parker’s face turned bright red.

“It would seem Arthur did not teach you only how to play cards,” said Parker when the laughter had died down.

“Oh no, don’t bring me into this,” said Arthur. “The words of wit are all Margaret. If anything, I will have to get her to teach me a thing or two.”

“Well, now I shall have to win the next game or I will forever live in shame after Margaret’s teasing.”

“You might have to find another partner, my dear. I am not sure I want to go up against Margaret again,” said Elspeth.

“Everyone is deserting me!” exclaimed Parker.

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