He inclined his head. “And I shall do it.”
Before his mother could waylay him with more reminders of endless responsibilities, he bowed and strode off down the corridor in the direction of the guest chambers.
As he and Cynthia had climbed back up the incline after their first trip down the mountain, she had confessed the untenable future awaiting Lady Gertrude.
He knew just how to remedy the situation.
It would involve dancing.
He knocked on their door.
After a brief pause, Lady Gertrude answered it.
Cynthia Louise was in an armchair before the window, her back to him.
She did not turn around.
“You recall my intention to select my bride by inviting her to be the first to dance at the farewell Twelfth Night ball?”
Lady Gertrude stared up at him in wide-eyed silence.
“There’s no need to tarry. I’ve made my decision. I request your company at tonight’s ball. Both of you. Please be present by eight o’clock.”
Cynthia’s back was still to him.
Lady Gertrude’s eyes had only gone wider.
“Wear your dancing slippers,” he ordered, and shut the door before either woman could do so for him.
Chapter 15
“Well,” said Cynthia Louise, “at least one thing turned out for the best.”
“No.” Gertie blanched. “You can’t make me.”
Cynthia sighed. “You’re right. I cannot make you marry Nottingvale. But if you don’t, your father can and will force you to marry a man much, much worse.”
“But Nottingvale is yours!” Gertie protested.
“He’s not mine. He neverwantedto be mine. He has moved on, and so must we.”
Gertie crossed her arms.
Cynthia arched a brow.
Gertie made an aggravated sound. “Why would he do this?”
Cynthia turned to the wardrobe.
“For the same reason he does everything,” she said. “To do the ‘right thing.’”
Alexander was exactly the type of duke who would marry a debutante he didn’t love because her good blood and impeccable reputation would bring honor to his title.
He was also exactly the type of man who would pick Gertie above all of the other perfectly perfect young ladies, because Cynthia had mentioned Gertie needed saving, and Alexander was the sort to try and save someone else, at any cost to himself.
That was what his obsession with “duty” was about:
Saving.
