Smiling in relief, she gestured for him to follow her, which he did.
The room in question was a decently-sized one, set aside as a private parlour for the morehonouredguests, which apparently the Bainbridges were. Miss Bainbridge seated herself in an armchair beside the fireplace, the promised maid smothering a yawn behind her seat.
“I want to talk to you about a delicate matter,” Miss Bainbridge said at last, indicating for him to sit opposite her.
“Oh?”
“You’ll recall that I spoke to you ratherbluntlyabout… about future plans. Our future plans, to be precise.”
A shiver rolled down his spine. Miss Bainbridge wanted to marry him, that much was clear, but it was odd to encounter a womanquiteso forthright about what she wanted.
“I remember,” he said at last.
She lifted an eyebrow. “And have you thought about it?”
He cleared his throat. “Briefly.”
“Mm-hm. The thing is, your Grace, I believe that you and I would be well-suited. You’re a sensible man, looking for a suitable wife, and I have a great deal to offer, as have you. Frankly, and I don’t mean this in a self-congratulatory way, I don’t believe you will find a better Duchess in Society this Season.”
He bit the inside of his cheek. “You are a fine woman, Miss Bainbridge,” he answered, honestly enough. “But marriage is a serious thing, and not something to be rushed.”
She inclined her head. “I agree. However, we both know that you do not have the luxury of taking your time, your Grace.”
He flinched as if he’d been slapped, staring at her. “I beg your pardon?”
Miss Bainbridge bit back a sigh. “I must tell you that I know about the terms of your father’s will. You must marry within a year or lose your inheritance entirely.”
There was a brief silence.
“H-How do you know?” William stammered.
She had the grace to look a little ashamed. “My family knows many things, your Grace. For what it’s worth, I believe it is terrible for you to be in such a situation. However, there is no denying that youarein this situation, and that time is running out for you.”
He sagged back into the chair, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“No sense denying it, is there?” he muttered. “I’m a penniless duke. It is rather amusing, is it not?”
Miss Bainbridge hesitated, making an abortive movement forward, as if planning to lay a hand on his arm but changing her mind at the last moment.
“Railing against the way things are is a waste of time,” she said firmly. “A man like you might easily take several Seasons to choose a perfect Duchess, but of course you do not have that luxury. That is why I believe my proposal is the best for you. I wish to be Duchess of Dunleigh, and I know without doubt that I can fulfil the position perfectly. I should like us to come to some sort of agreement, or at least an understanding. And soon.”
He raised his eyes. “Are you asking me to marry you, Miss Bainbridge.”
She allowed herself a small, wry smile, leaning back in her chair to mimic his position.
“Why, yes, your Grace. I suppose I am.”
William was silent for a long moment. He did not love Miss Bainbridge, that was clear, but what did it matter? He would never have the chance to fall in love. There simply wasn’t time, and he was not the sort of man who fell in love, in any case.
Almost without thinking, he moved his hand to his pocket to touch the locket that sat there, the locket that was no closer to being returned to his owner.
He whisked his hand away, angry at himself for being so silly.
I must marry. I have duties. Surely Miss Bainbridge, with her logical thinking and cool manners, is the best choice!
“I accept,” he heard himself say. “I accept your proposal, Miss Bainbridge.”
Her face lit up. “Excellent. There is no need to make an announcement anytime soon. We can wait until after the house party is done, and then Society will believe that we formed an attachment here. Marriages of convenience are the norm, but thetonwill expect us to pretend it is a love match. It is annoying, but there it is.”
