What the Duke Wants(33)

He nodded and then took a few steps about the room. The silence was thick and heavy in the air, and Carlotta wanted to break it, but didn’t know exactly how to go about doing just that. She had just opened her mouth to speak when the duke seemed to remember he had company.

“I have a guest here, a woman who accompanied me,” he began.

Carlotta felt the blood drain from her face yet at the same time, she was thankful to have a reason to convince herself that their prior… interludes… were of not consequence. At least to him. This new knowledge would serve to remind her at night when she saw his alluring gaze in her dreams.

“I see. I’ll be sure to tell the girls that you are not to be disturb—”

“Actually, I’m quite sure Lady Southridge will be more than happy to be ‘disturbed’ as you put it. I feel it necessary to explain that she feels a certain…” He paused as if thinking of the correct word. “…obligation to my wards.”

“I shall do my best to make her feel welcome, then.” Carlotta spoke bravely, all the while her mind spun in a million different directions. Had he brought this woman as a potential bride and she was already staking a claim on his wards? Was she mercenary in her intentions, sizing up the girls for their worth upon their majority? Maybe she was trying to get into his heart by showing compassion on those less fortunate. Either way the picture painted in her mind was one of shallow intentions and came from a jealous heart. Her own jealous heart.

“I have no doubts that you will do just that, Miss Carlotta.” He nodded then resumed his infernal pacing.


And he was calling her Miss Carlotta, rather than Miss Lottie. It had not escaped her notice. She told her traitorous heart that it was another confirmation that he was simply telling her that whatever they had shared earlier was now in the past, over and finished. He no longer felt any attachment. Her heart pinched at the realization that she was so easily discarded, and disregarded. For her, kisses were so much more than frivolous tokens. To know they meant so little to him was stinging and hurtful.

Though these emotions all played havoc on her heart, she took great efforts to school her expression into one of polite disinterest. The same one she’d use when forced to be around whatever woman he brought to meet the girls.

“I don’t think I’ve ever encountered you this quiet, Miss Carlotta.”

She glanced up to find him watching her intently. The coolness of his gaze had warmed, like a loch heated by the summer sun, still chilly but refreshing and Carlotta felt herself losing ground.

“I, perhaps, do not have much to say, your grace,” she replied.

“I, perhaps, find that hard to believe.” He tilted his head in challenge.

“You are quite sure to believe what you wish, your grace,” she replied, raising her eyebrow and issuing a challenge of her own.

He narrowed his eyes and watched her, the moments ticked by but she remained unmoved, unwilling to give away the secrets of her heart. Not to him.

Never to him.

At least never to him again.

“Damn it, Carlotta why don’t you just say whatever is written all over your face? I cannot read your mind it is quite killing me right now.”

“Why are you here?” she asked before she could sensor her words.

“It’s my estate,” he answered back.

“I’m pleased to add that to my growing information about you, your grace,” she replied with a tart clip in her voice. Her self-control was slipping in light of his likewise lack of emotional control and she began to resort to her wit in order to keep to safer subject matter.

“Did I just mention that you were quiet? I take back my erroneous statement,” he said dryly.

At this, Carlotta couldn’t help the small smile that teased her lips.

“And quit that insufferable smirking,” he groused. “ If you must know, I’m here because I was forced to make an appearance.”

“I find that hard to believe, your grace.” Carlotta felt her eyebrows shoot up at his declaration. Just who was this woman who had accompanied him? What hold did she have on his heart for him to jump at her whim?

“There are forces of nature you have never encountered,” he replied dryly. “Lady Southridge is one of those forces of nature, Miss Lottie, and I don’t pity you that you’ll be quite in the middle of her raptures.”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand.” Carlotta paused, even as her heart rejoiced that he slipped into calling her ‘Miss Lottie.’

“ Lady Southridge is my good friend’s sister and, much to my dismay, has determined that same office over myself. And, through some means I am still not aware, she learned that I had inherited three wards and I had no choice but to accompany her here to provide introductions. I had no free will in the matter.”

“Oh, then we shall do our best to meet whatever requirements she has for the girls so that you may be free to leave,” Carlotta replied carefully.

“I have no qualms about staying here, Miss Carlotta, but I do have qualms about her staying here for an indefinite duration, which I’m sure she’s planning at this very moment.”

Not knowing how to respond, Carlotta simply nodded.

“And I wanted to speak with you before she pounced, so you would be aware of the situation and encourage the wards to be kind.”