Page 34 of Duchess Material

He referred to another second cousin, Nira, a semi-retired supermodel. She was a book nerd and outspoken critic of the shitty press.

“She’s smart. A nerd. I get it,” Lucy smiled.

“Yeah. I am too old for that shit. And those women wouldn’t have been capable putting up with the estates, the business dealings, or playing duchess. Touch wood, my mother will be a duchess for many years.”

“She’d have to be duchess material, then?” Lucy joked.

Winston ran his finger around his rocks glass. “Yes. I’m not vetting potential women through that lens. I just don’t think I could be with someone who couldn’t handle it long term. I didn’t choose to be born first, but I was.”

Lucy understood. “Compatibility in this world plays a role, Winston. You want to raise your kids in a nice, loving household. You want to have a happy partner. My parents fought all the time. Marriage meant constant discord, shouting, and my mother making herself small. As I see it, I did that last one with George.”

“I can see why you might be primed for it.”

“It’s going to sound so weird, but getting to know George’s parents was… it was important for me. I had never seen a normal relationship modelled. His parents love and respect one another as equals. I was unprepared to see the King defend the right of his daughters to just be. It’s weird. My father was career in the military. If one of us had decided to serve, he would have tortured us for it.”

“Really?”

“That’s not what girls do. He doesn’t agree with us all being working professionals. We should marry and pop out babies.”

Winston choked on his drink. “That seems unlikely for any of you. None of you are shrinking violets.”

“I know. Dad controlled Mom, so we chose to make our own money.”

“My mother would echo your comment,” Winston said.

“Not to take the piss but your mother is worth billions. She was the daughter of a duke and a princess. It’s different when your parents couldn’t even afford to buy a house,” Lucy said. “I don’t talk about being raised poor because it makes people uncomfortable, and I hate sympathy. Like, I’m not a charity case. I…”

“You worked so hard. I know. It is something we all admire about you. Forgive us if sometimes we… we forget about the fact your family isn’t flush with cash. I’m clueless, Luce.”

“I know. You also aren’t a dickhead.”

“Thanks?” Winston laughed.

Lucy smiled and changed the subject. “I’m falling for you in every way. I love how gentle and kind you are. I adore patient you have been. I won’t take you for granted, Winston.”

“I know. You aren’t the type.” Winston smiled back.

They packed and left, returning home. Their home. Winston had painstakingly reworked an old parish church into a beautiful home. He fell in love with the area. He melted at the light coming through the remaining stained glass. It was perfect for him, but Lucy fit right in. She was lovely as could be.

Winston gave her a long kiss. “I love you.”

“I love you, too. I’m also not putting you off, but I am knackered and—”

“I want it to be good. The next time we… I want it to be good. I know you aren’t putting me off. Besides, I don’t expect anything but a kiss after a first date.”

“Okay,” she laughed, “third date rule as a target?”

Winston couldn’t have been upset with her. He wouldn’t have turned her down, but he did not expect it. It was an excellent first date. They could talk all day and night. Winston could have hung on her every word forever. The thing that made it different—for better or worse—was they climbed into his bed at the end of the night, separated in part by a host of dogs who shared the bed these days.

* * *

Lucy left the shower the next morning when Winston entered the room she used to call home, about to ask a question. He realised she stood topless in her panties, trying to get her shit together and leave the house. Cue awkward moment. What were the rules? Lucy wasn’t sure. Winston turned away nervously.

“I am so so sorry. The door was—”

“Hey, it’s no big deal. You’ve seen… it’s not a big deal,” Lucy stammered.

“Yes, but… I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” Winston said.

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