What the Duke Wants(52)
“Yes, m’um.” They scattered.
Charles wished he could go with them.
“Now, if I’m understanding this correctly, you had a perfectly beautiful day with a perfectly wonderful lady who, I might add, is an impoverished baron’s daughter who is currently employed as your governess—”
“I’m quite aware of who she is, madam.”
“Forgive me if I question your ability to connect simple and logical thoughts. Did I misunderstand that you find yourself in love with this girl?”
“Yes, I mean no. Yes I’m in love with her, bloody sorry I am but it’s true.”
“A more romantic declaration I’ve never heard,” Lady Southridge responded sarcastically. “No wonder the poor girl ran to her room.” She huffed indignantly.
“Now see here.”
“No, you see here! You didn’t tell her your intentions were honorable? You didn’t declare yourself? I gave you the perfect opportunity on a platter and you disregard it!” She all but shouted, exasperated.
“Forgive me if I resent constantly being rejected!” he shouted back.
“You’re only being rejected because she thinks you’re wanting her as a mistress or dalliance! Your reputation isn’t exactly pristine, Charles. You fell in love with a smart woman. That is a draw back when she can logically take your reputation and deduct what you’re intention could be! You have to tell her otherwise!”
“I—I—”
“Did not?” Lady Southridge finished.
“No.”
“You are an idiot.”
“Thank you,” he replied.
“What are you going to do about it?” she asked. The woman was worse than a dog with a bone.
“I’m not sure! I can’t simply buy her a necklace or trinket of some sort. As proper as she is, she’d never accept it. She’d probably just be offended thinking I was trying to buy her off.”
“Which is exactly what you would be trying to do,” Lady Southridge shot back.
“Mistresses are so much easier to handle than potential wives,” he mumbled.
“They last longer.”
“Touché.”
“So I ask you, what are you going to do?”
“According to you, I’m going to tell her my intentions.”
“Good boy.
“I’m not your lapdog.
“You’re right, my lapdog is quicker to catch on than you, my dear boy.”
“Now, tell me how exactly did she fall into the river? That is one fiasco I did not expect.”
“I’d rather not talk about it.”
“I never once thought you would. My question stands, regardless.”
“You are the most meddling—”
“I’m helping. Admit it. You wouldn’t have had the whole afternoon alone if it weren’t for me. In fact…” She began to circle him, much like a hawk teasing its prey. “I’m the only reason you’re even here.”
She had a point.
Damn it.
“That doesn’t give you license to interfere,” Charles grumbled.
“How did—”
“She fell.”
“I gathered that since I assumed you didn’t push her for sport,” she replied wryly.
“I’d push you in for sport.”
“How providential that I was not in attendance.”
“She… stepped back and fell in.”
Lady Southridge just stared, waiting, clearly not concerned with how long it took for the truth to come out.
“I kissed her, she ran and fell. Happy now?”
“Not particularly.”
“Nor am I.”
“How often do you do that?” she asked after a brief pause, her eyes narrowing slightly as if contemplating the meaning of life.
“Do what?”
“Kiss her.”
“More than I should.”
“And how often do you simply talk.”
“Talk?”
“Yes, conversation. Even you aren’t that much of a lack wit, Charles. I shouldn’t have to spell it out for you.”
“We talk.”
“Not enough.”
“How would you know?”
“Because I know you, Charles. And, as much as it pains me to say and risk inflating your ego further, if she spoke with you, if you charmed her like I know you’re capable of, then she would be running to you, not away.”
“I’m quite sure she’d run away, besides I’m quite trapped as it is. I doubt there’s much I can do.”
“Why so hopeless?”
“Because this conversation has been so positive?”
“No… er…” She had the good grace to look slightly humbled. “But what do you mean?”
“Last night she asked for me to leave her alone, to no longer kiss her. And she said if I did, then I’d be simply showing my own selfish nature… implying that my intentions are only selfish and disregarding to her own convictions. So you see, my hands are tied. I kissed her today, she backed away but before… before she did I could taste her…” He paused as if considering whether to continue, he was so caught up in his thoughts it almost said too much.