Chapter Fifteen

"I do not much care to be in the park during the fashionable hour."

"And I do not much care about continuing on with this supposed courtship, but I must do so," Edmund stated, aware that there was anger in his voice but choosing to do nothing to hide it from her. "Your brother is nearby, however, so whenever you wish to return to him, I would be delighted for you to do so."

Lady Vivianne said nothing though she turned her head away just a little, leaving Edmund with a pang of guilt. He ought not to be so sharp in his words, he supposed, but given that he had just spied Lady Lillian nearby and felt the surge of desire deep within his heart to be in her company and her company alone, Edmund had struggled to keep frustration out of his voice.

"Nor do I want to come to this literary event," Lady Vivianne whined, making Edmund scowl. "I think it is a foolish idea. I do not think that you ought to celebrate such a thing, for the rumours about the Mad Duke continue to grow and – "

"I am not mad, certainly, but I do enjoy doing experiments and studying natural philosophy. I am not about to hide that from the ton and, in this way, I can show them precisely what it is that engages me so much."

Lady Vivianne wrinkled her nose. "I hardly think that is wise."

"I do not much care whether you think it wise or not. That is what I am going to do. The invitations will be sent out this afternoon and if you do not wish to attend, then do not."

"But I must."

Edmund shook his head. "No, there is no expectation."

"We are courting! I must be seen to be by your side and that means, attending these foolish events," she complained, making Edmund's irritation grow with an even greater strength. He cast a glance behind him in search of Lady Vivianne's brother, wondering when he would be able to remove her from his company and return her to him. "This is deeply unfair and inconsiderate of my requirements and sensibilities."

Letting out a heavy breath, Edmund paused and looked at her, coming to a stop rather than walking along with her, though he kept her arm through his. "Lady Vivianne, might I remind you that we are courting solely because of my desire to make certain that your reputation was not damaged in all of this. I intend to end our courtship very soon."

Lady Vivianne's chin lifted. "No. You know as well as I that this is an expected engagement." Her voice was thin, her tone as though she were berating him for speaking so. "I am aware that you do not expect us to become engaged but I must hope that our time together will bring about a change of heart."

Edmund shook his head, thinking of how he had kissed Lady Lillian and how much that had thrilled him. He felt nothing for Lady Vivianne, not even the smallest iota of affection. "I can assure you," he said, with emphasis, "that will never be."

"We shall see."

His anger rose to a crescent and, dropping her arm – and making certain that they were not in close proximity to the others in the park – he turned to face her, his whole body tight with tension. "In case you have forgotten, Lady Vivianne, I never had any intention of courting you. My only intention was to speak to the family about what had been said and, thereafter, to consider and discuss the matter. Instead, your brother has forced this situation upon me and I find myself rebelling against it entirely, to the point that I quite frankly, would never find myself persuaded towards engagement and matrimony. Please, if you have any sense, put such an idea from your head." Taking in a deep breath so as to control himself a little more, Edmund continued on, seeing a pinched expression come over Lady Vivianne's face. "You may be disappointed with such a thing given that you know you may not become a Duchess, but I can assure you that there are many wonderful gentlemen of high title who will be more than delighted to court you. You are the daughter of a marquess and – "

"I have no interest in becoming a Duchess!"

Edmund glanced around the park where they both stood – with Lord Jedburgh a little way off – for fear that someone would overhear them but, much to his relief, most of the other gentlemen and ladies walking through St James' Park were in their own conversation and did not throw him even the smallest of glances. "I dd not mean to insult you, Lady Vivianne, but surely you must hope that – "

"I have no interest in becoming a Duchess, I can assure you." Lady Vivianne narrowed her eyes, coming a little closer to him, her hands going to her hips as her eyes narrowed. "I am only doing as my brother demands, not because I have any hope or desire for such a thing myself."

For some moments, Edmund did not know what to say. He looked back at Lady Vivianne for a long moment, then frowned. "I understand."

"You are not the only one who is uncertain about this courtship," Lady Vivianne continued, biting her lip before dropping her gaze, her voice gentling a little. "However, my brother insists upon it and I must do as he asks. He holds the greatest title within our family and he has taken his responsibility with my future very seriously. Lord Jedburgh is not someone who can be argued with, Your Grace, whether you be his sister or a Duke."

Not certain what to make of this, Edmund rubbed one hand over his chin. He had not expected Lady Vivianne to make any sort of complaint about their courtship, had expected her to be just like her brother but instead, it appeared now that she was just as displeased as he himself felt. "I believe that this is the first time you are being honest with me, Lady Vivianne," he said, seeing her dart her gaze away from him again. "I thank you for it." He looked back at her in silence until she turned her gaze back to his. "Tell me, Lady Vivianne. Is there any part of you that wishes to wed? That desires to become a Duchess?"

She closed her eyes and took in a long breath, her shoulders rounding a little. There was a heaviness in her frame now, and in her voice as she spoke, a dullness in her gaze. "The truth is, Your Grace, I should like very much to choose my own husband. I should like to be able to respond to the attentions of those who have shown an interest in me, only to step back when they realise that I am not at all free to offer attentions in return." Lady Vivianne blinked furiously though she still would not look directly back at him. "I would like to give permission to whoever asked me as regarded courtship, I would like to be able to decide which gentleman I would accept a proposal from. But I have had no opportunity to do such a thing and therefore, I must do as my brother asks, as must you."

A curl of displeasure made Edmund scowl. "I have no intention of doing as your brother demands."

"Though you have given in thus far."

"Because I had no choice!" Edmund exclaimed, throwing up his hands. "I had to make certain that your reputation was not besmirched and that mine remained clean also. But you should know that I have no intention of bringing this any further than courtship."

Lady Vivianne closed her eyes, a slight tremor in her voice. "We shall see, Your Grace. My brother is a dark minded gentleman and can usually do whatever he wishes and get whatever he wants." The tremble in her voice became all the more pronounced and this made Edmund frown, wondering why she sounded so. Initially, he had thought that she was pleased that her brother's schemes had been going so well. Now, it seemed, she was of an entirely different mind.

"I am not about to be forced into this, Lady Vivianne," he said, making sure to speak with a gentleness in order to encourage her to speak more freely again. "Might I ask if you know why it is that he desires this match so strongly?"

Lady Vivianne's gaze softened and, for the first time since the start of their conversation, she offered him a small, sad smile. "My father has briefly mentioned it – though he did not ever once suggest that there would be any expectation of engagement – but my brother, from that moment, seemed quite determined. What is worse is that my father is very much involved with his business matters here in London and my mother so eager to be involved with her own friends, she does not even think of me. Thus, my brother has taken on the responsibility for me and has told my parents that he is glad to do so."

"So your father is not pushing this engagement forward?" Edmund watched as the lady nodded, seeing a slight gleam in her eye – was that from hidden tears? "Has he any knowledge of this?"

Lady Vivianne swallowed, then shook her head. "And I dare not speak to him about it for my brother will insist that he is quite correct in all that he has done thus far and my father will berate me for bringing it to him when there was nothing wrong. I already know that will be the response given to me, so I cannot speak a single word."

There was something happening between them now, something in this conversation which was making Edmund's heart lift with a sudden though strange hope. Lady Vivianne did not appear to be as angry, as cold as she had been at the beginning of this conversation. Instead, she seemed to be a little more open towards him, the tension beginning to fade between them. "Might I ask if you have any thoughts or knowledge as to why your brother is so insistent upon this engagement?"

Lady Vivianne studied him for a few moments as though deciding whether or not to speak honestly, only to sigh and shake her head. "He did not give me his reasons – he never has – but it may very well be that he is eager for the status that the connection will bring. Yes, he will one day be a Marquess but to have a sister married to a Duke might bring him a little more elevation in standing in society."

"But you do not care about that."

"No, I do not."

"Then… then we are both of the same mind," Edmund answered, slowly, coming a little closer to her, aware that he felt nothing for her whatsoever but being aware that she felt the very same way which was, admittedly, something of a relief. "Might I ask you, Lady Vivianne, if there is another gentleman in whom you have an interest in? I do not ask you to make you blush and indeed, you do not have to give me his name, but it was only with the thought that, should our engagement come to an end, there would be someone else as to whom you could turn."

Lady Vivianne looked back at him for a long time but did not say a word. It was as though she were attempting to ascertain whether or not he was speaking the truth, whether or not he could be trusted. Edmund said nothing, curling his fingers up tight into his fist so that he would remain outwardly calm.

Eventually, she spoke.

"There may be. I believe that, in knowing that I am no longer bound to this foolish connection, he may then seek to court me – and would go to my father rather than to my brother."

"And you would be glad of this connection?"

She nodded. "I would."

"That does bring me some relief," Edmund admitted, honestly. "I also seek the company of another, someone who knows of our situation and has been greatly pained by watching it. I should very much like to be free of this so I could turn to her."

Lady Vivianne's lips quirked. "Even though you are known as the Mad Duke?"

Edmund laughed for what was the first time during their conversation. "Indeed, Lady Vivianne. In fact, she has always been aware of that aspect of my character and has not turned from it. Instead, she seemed to delight in it, truth be told, and for that, I shall be forever grateful, I think."

Lady Vivianne smiled, took in a deep breath and then let it out again, her shoulders dropping and her smile fading. "But what shall we do? It is as I have said, my brother demands and I must do as he asks else… "

Edmund's eyebrows lifted as Lady Vivianne's eyes rounded, perhaps realizing that she had said more than she had intended. A sudden anger struck him and he moved closer to her still, lowering his voice so that those around him would not hear. "What will he do if you do not obey?" he asked, his voice barely louder than a whisper. "That is something that I have not thought about until this moment but I can see in your eyes that there is fear there. Why is it that you are in this courtship with me if you do not wish to be so? You have told me that your father will not listen, that your brother will be able to manipulate him to make it appear as though you are complaining about him with very little reason to do so and that your mother has no real interest either, but what has forced you to do as your brother demands? Why is it then, if you have no wish to be a Duchess and desire to make your own choice as regards the gentleman you might one day wed that you agreed to this?"

Lady Vivianne's eyes were wide with fright and, as Edmund watched, she looked over his shoulder to where her brother stood. Edmund felt as though he had been kicked hard in the stomach, leaning forward a little more as he waited for her to look back at him.

"It is because of fear, is it not? What is it that he has said?"

"He has said that, if I do not, then he will ruin me," she whispered, her eyes closing tightly, only to widen with a sudden flare, her hand reaching out to grasp his. "Pray, do not tell him so! You must not tell a soul, I beg of you!"

Edmund pressed her hand back firmly, then released it. "There is a purpose to all of this," he said grimly, rubbing one hand over his face as a heavy weight sank onto his shoulders. "There must be some purpose in ensuring that you and I are wed, some reason that he is so forceful as to threaten his own sister. I cannot imagine what it will be but I do believe that there is a darker purpose here than simply wishing to have a connection with a Duke."

A single tear fell to Lady Vivianne's cheek. "I should never have said a word. He told me that – "

"I am glad that you did," Edmund interrupted, gently but with great firmness. "You are unhappy, as am I, and there is no reason for you to be so, not if I have anything to do with it. There must be a way to discover what the purpose is behind all of this and, in doing so, free ourselves from our connection. You can go to whichever gentleman you have an interest in and I shall go to Lady Lillian… if she will still have me."

Lady Vivianne did not show any sort of surprise at this remark though she had gone very still indeed. It was as though she was trying to make sense of what had happened, of what had been shared between them and was still thinking through it all.

"You can trust me, Lady Vivianne," Edmund said gently, seeing her eyes turn to his, tears still lingering there. "There must be a purpose behind all of this, a nefarious purpose, I fear, but in exposing it, we shall both be free. Is that not what you want?"

She closed her eyes and nodded, though a small sob came from her throat.

"Do not be afraid, I will let no harm come to you." Edmund waited until she had opened her eyes and composed herself, smiling at her with as much reassurance as he could put into his voice and expression. "Do you think that you can trust me, Lady Vivianne?"

It took a few moments but, with a sniff, Lady Vivianne lifted her chin and nodded, tears still sparkling in her eyes but determination burning there also.

"Good." Still smiling, Edmund offered her his arm and they turned back towards the rest of the crowd. "Come, then. Let us continue on the pretence for a little longer until we can think of how we are to go about finding out the truth."