Page 46 of Taken By the Dangerous Duke

“Sometimes, you are no help at all,” complained Arthur. “Scratch that. You are no helpanyof the time.”

“People just do not want to hear the facts,” responded Parker solemnly.

Arthur sighed and took a small sip of the cognac. “It does concern me.”

“You think she might have tricked you? Perhaps she knows that she cannot have a child, but does not want you to annul the marriage?”

Arthur thought about it for a moment. “No,” he said finally. “No, I don’t believe she would do that. I might not have known her for an awfully long time, but I do know her. From the outside looking in, I might think that, but I know she would not do that to me. Or to anyone. She is a good person, Parker.”

“She is,” agreed Parker. “I have known her for much less time than you have, and that is the logical conclusion. I think you are right about her intentions. Which leads us to the pertinent question.”

“I know,” stated Arthur. “If one of us is unable to have a child, it means the end of the marriage either way. But, I am not thinking about that just yet.”

“Because you are sweet on her,” smiled Parker.

“What?” coughed Arthur. “Whatever are you talking about?”

“Oh my goodness,” said Parker with a smile. “Don’t tell me he doesn’t know?”

“Is this some sort of joke? If it is, then it has gone right over my head.”

“It is no joke,” said Parker.

“Well, what about you?” asked Arthur, changing the subject quickly. “This woman you brought tonight. Is she the one?”

“I don’t know yet,” said Parker. “She is a good woman and a fine card player, but I fear that I am only sweet on her for the moment because of her card skills. She is a kind woman, but she cannot hold a conversation.”

“Or, perhaps it is you who cannot hold the conversation,” said Arthur with a smile.

Parker laughed. “Perhaps we are both the problem.”

The laughter quickly gave way to a more solemn mood at the comment.

“Even if I am the one who cannot have a child, it still means the end of the marriage. It means that I have wasted a good part of Margaret’s life.”

“So, you do care for her?” asked Parker.

“Of course, I do. I am only human, after all. She is a good woman, and she deserves a good life. I was able to give her a better life by saving her from the man she was to wed, and if we can’t conceive a child, I will set her free to live her life with payment for her services.”

“Payment for her services?” asked Parker.

“I don’t mean for it to sound like that. You know what I mean, Parker.”

“I think I do,” he agreed. “And, what does she think of this?”

“She knew what she was agreeing to when she came here with me, and I know she wants a family. If I can’t give her that, she must be free to have a family with someone else.”

“And what will you do?” asked Parker. “What if it is you who can’t have a child?”

Arthur let out a long sigh. “Then I will have to disappoint my father.”

“You could still take a wife,” said Parker.

“Why would I want to do that?”

“So you are not alone all of the time,” replied Parker.

“What? Have one failed marriage and then marry another so I am not lonely?”

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