AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Michael resumed staring out of the carriage window, trying to imagine what this mysterious lady would turn out to be like.
* * *
The duchess’s sitting room was opulent and feminine, which had always made Michael uncomfortable.
“If I thought you were one to marry, Duke, I would have propositioned you long ago,” the duchess teased. “I was quite surprised by your choice, as well.”
Lounging back in his seat, Michael rolled his eyes dramatically. “Duchess, you should know me better than that.”
“I do,” she laughed, offering him a cup of tea that he refused. “Which is why, of course, I told everyone it was true.”
“I should have known,” he responded with no trace of anger.
“I thought perhaps if it were true, I might be able to convince you that I would be the better option.”
“You tease still,” Michael said. “If I remember correctly, you accepted your husband’s proposal without waiting for mine.”
“Oh, you know you never would have,” she said, smiling. “So, don’t pretend you meant to.”
“Very well,” he consented, then added, “but I was in love with you.”
“You flatter me, but we were children! Tell me, Duke, what is your real reason to call on me today?”
Realizing that the duchess was done with her banter, switching to a serious tone, Michael straightened up. “I had hoped that you would help me find the source of the rumor.”
“Well, I did already tell you that I helped to spread it,” she said, staring at her nails for a moment. A servant offered to pour her more tea, but she refused.
“You were earnest about that?”
“Indeed, I don’t lie, even in my charm,” she said, flashing him a smile.
“From whom did you hear the rumor?”
“What is it to you?” she stalled.
“It’s a falsehood and I hope to put it to bed.”
“Ah, so finally you do deny it,” the duchess sighed. “A little part of me had hoped that it would be true.”
“Come on, Duchess, tell me. Who told you the rumor first?”
“I am afraid to disappoint you,” she sighed. “I was dining with the Millingtons last week. They all knew. So did the Bellinghams, who were there as guests as well.”
Michael wiped his hands on his knees, getting ready to stand. “That is unfortunate. I had hoped that you would have been more informative.”
“Hold on just yet,” she said, holding up a hand to stop him. “My Lord Lindsey did say that it was the Viscount of Rackliff who mentioned it to him.”
“The girl’s uncle?” he asked, surprised.
“Indeed, which is why I thought perhaps there might have been a semblance of truth to it.”
“Very interesting,” Michael said, rubbing his chin. “She must be crafty indeed to have convinced her own family of this charade.”
“Or he’s in on it,” the duchess countered. “The poor girls, none of them have done remarkably well this Season.”
“She has sisters?”
“Four of them.”
“Quite the family,” Michael laughed, then rose in earnest. “Thank you for being so enlightening, Duchess.”
She rose as well, holding out her hand for Michael to kiss. He did so obligingly.
“If you do turn up at the Assembly, let me know,” she suggested. “I would be happy to keep you company after you’ve repaired your reputation.”
He bowed over her hand again and took his leave.
