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She crossed her arms over her extended belly. “As long as he does not have children, you or one of our children will become the next duke.”
The woman had lost her mind. “And how do you presume to keep him from procreating? He is only eight and twenty. Hardly an old man.”
“He must not ever marry,” she answered simply.
“I’m afraid he doesn’t need our permission, my dear. And there did seem to be something between the duke and Elizabeth.”
“Agreed. So it is up to us to keep them apart.”
Richard shook his head, exhausted from this conversation already. “And how do you propose we do that?”
“Rumors can be deadly to any relationship, dear husband. Especially amongst the ton.”
“And what happens when he finds another woman?”
Caroline laughed. “I shall figure something out. If we keep his reputation in tatters, it might not matter.”
Richard only shook his head. He knew better, and she should, too. Reputation be damned, when a lady can be a duchess, she will marry the devil.
Over the next few days, Elizabeth hired a tutor and governess. She brought in a valet for Will, made sure the boys had new clothing, and attempted to teach the boys their manners at the dinner table. For the most part, they had done quite well. Her only issue was the boy in front of her.
“Try it again,” Elizabeth implored him.
William clenched his fists so tight she thought he might explode. For the past hour, she’d been attempting to teach him the complex rules of Society, starting with social rank. While she presumed he was an intelligent man, he could be as stubborn as a mule when he wished it.
“A duke is higher than all others in the social rank, except the king or queen,” he repeated.
“And what about the prince regent?”
“Of course, how could I have forgotten about the man who has to pretend to be king because his father is insane.”
He paced the confines of his study. With him striding closer to her and then retreating, her heart pounded erratically in her chest.
“But how does his rank compare to yours?”
He glared over at her until she felt forced to stare at the large Debrett’s The New Peerage book on her lap.
“The prince is a higher rank but other princes are not.”
She smiled at him. “That is correct. Princes can be raised to the rank of duke. Now, please list the ranks under yours.”
William narrowed his eyes at her but quickly listed the titles. “This is the most trivial thing I have ever been taught,” he said once he finished reciting the list.
“You cannot leave this house and interact with your peers until you understand and accept your position in Society.”
“And why not?”
She pressed her lips together and closed her eyes, trying to gain a measure of patience. “You will be a laughingstock, if you do.”
He sat in the chair directly across from her. “And if I am?”
“Then none of the gentlemen of your rank will have anything to do with you. They will refuse to speak with you regarding the sale of the estates. And you bring that disrespect upon your sisters…and me,” she said softly.
He released a frustrated sigh.
She stared at him for a long moment. For the first time, she believed William realized exactly what was at stake if he didn’t heed her lessons.
“When do you think I will be ready to face the world?”
