Chapter 5

5

The moment Agatha stepped into the dining room, it was painfully obvious, that this was an ambush. Not only was this “family” dinner blatantly not merely her family, but she suspected she was given a slightly later time so that there would be only one remaining seat left at the dinner table.

Right next to the abhorrent Duke of Lancaster. She couldn’t quite put her finger on why she found him so unappealing. He wasn’t even as old as her deceased husband. He wasn’t unattractive, quite the contrary. For a man likely nearing his fifth decade, he was remarkably fit and well put together. His dark hair was perfectly placed with not even the gleam of too much pomade. Still there was something about the man that Agatha found to be alarmingly unsettling.

Perhaps it was the way his narrow eyes followed her every moment when they were in the same room. The way his tongue would slip out to wet his lips.

She supposed this was the third of fourth time she’d come in contact with him, but her nerves never ceased.

She shot a look at her mother who pretended not to notice. But there was no doubt in Agatha’s mind that this was very much an orchestration of her mother’s doing.

The duke stood and pulled her chair out for her. He even behaved the perfect gentleman, still she knew something wretched hid beneath all his polish.

“Thank you, my lord,” she said as she sat and waited for him to push her seat forward.

Warm, sticky breath hits the exposed skin between her ear and shoulder.

“You look lovely tonight, Agatha,” he said.

A shudder traversed her body and she could do nothing to stop it. Perhaps to an on-looker it might appear to be a reaction to his nearness. Well, that is precisely what it is, but it’s not a good reaction.

Not at all the way her body lit up with pleasant shivers simply from hearing Sebastian St. Claire’s voice. She really must push that man out of her mind. She could not afford to get distracted by a man and a situation that wouldn’t solve her current problem.

There are two other couples at the table besides her parents, all married. And then her and the duke. He leans closer, draping her napkin across her lap, lingering with his arm entirely too close to her breasts. Yes, her chest was completely covered, not even a hint of cleavage. She was still wearing her mourning garb. No reason to buy new clothes at the moment, when these were still in perfectly good shape. And she hadn’t worn her veil, merely a black gown. One with fabric all the way up to her neck.

She grabbed the bottom of her seat and pushed herself forward, effectively jarring his arm so he moved away. She resettled her napkin. After the footman served her plate, she immediately dove in. Chewing meant she wouldn’t have to converse.

So for the better part of an hour she sat there next to the duke and amidst all of these other married couples over-chewing her food while nodding politely. No doubt she looked every part of the glutton, shoveling bite after bite of food into her mouth all in an effort to avoid a simple conversation.

Once the meal had finally ended, she rose, ready to make a hasty departure. She could address this evening with her mother at a later time. At the moment, she only wanted to flee and return home. The men retiring to the study to enjoy cigars and port would be the perfect escape.

Only the moment she came to her feet, the duke gripped her elbow.

“Walk with me in the gardens, Agatha. The moonlight is bright and unencumbered this evening,” the duke said.

It was on her tongue to graciously reject him, when her mother appeared as if she’d popped up from beneath the Persian rug.

“She would be delighted to, my lord,” my mother said.

I take the opportunity to shift my stance so that I “accidentally” step on my mother’s foot.

“Pardon me,” I say. “I’m afraid I’m quite tired, my lord.”

He loops my arm into the crook of his elbow. “We will take a short walk then.” He nods to my mother. “Thank you, Ranetta, for such a lovely meal.”

Her mother curtseyed and gave the duke a broad grin. Agatha tried not to roll her eyes. As much as she didn’t want to go on this walk in the moonlit gardens with him, she has no legitimate reason for saying no.

At least he seemed content to hear himself speak. His voice rattled on as they depart the house and step down into the garden. He droned on about the weather and the moon on their way into the garden area. This wasn’t a large garden you’d find at a country estate. Since they were in London, the size was about a fourth of that. Though Agatha knew her mother did none of the actual work herself, she takes great pride in the quality and vibrancy of her London garden. She employed three gardeners to attend to its every weed and bloom. The lush spot sits behind their townhome and was bordered by a great stone wall.

“I had not realized you were shy, my dear.” He helped her down the steps and then they were on the stone walkway that meandered through the small garden.

She’s wasn’t. Shy. Instead she was simmering, waiting to pounce on her mother. This kind of meddling was to be tolerated when she was a child. But she was a fully grown adult widow who did not need her mother continuing to stick her fingers in Agatha’s life. She wasn’t surprised, by any measure. This was the reminder she needed that either she became a self-sustaining mistress or her parents would have her walking down another marital aisle.

This garden with its brightly colored flowers and lush green vines was always her favorite place at this house. Tonight, however, things felt decidedly different. For starters, she wasn’t alone. And her companion wore entirely too much cologne and standing this close to him the scent seemed to overwhelm her senses. Even away pushing the pleasant smell of the springtime blooms.

“Have you ever been to Cornwall?” the duke asked.

“I don’t believe I have.”

“That is the location of my largest estate, but then I also have holdings in Wales, Scotland and down on the coast near Brighton. You would, of course, be free to visit any and all of them, making whatever decorative changes you see fit.”

She stopped in her tracks and looked up at him. “I beg your pardon, my lord?”

“When we’re married.”

She opened her mouth and shuts it several times.

He chuckles. “I can see that I surprised you. But certainly you parents have mentioned being in discussions with me regarding your future.”

“Yes, but no one has asked me anything.”

He tilted his head and a frown quickly crossed, then left his features. “I was under the impression since you’re not a simpering miss in her debut year that romance and the like would be unnecessary.”

He led her over to a stone bench and they sat. Agatha inhaled slowly, trying to settle the uneasy way her dinner sat like a rock in her stomach.

“Are you saying you’re going to insist I waste my time courting you?” His voice was sharp with his question.

“Not at all, my lord. I was merely pointing out that if we are to marry, then the discussion should be between the two of us, not you and my parents. As you said, I am an adult, not a simpering miss.”

His chuckle sent another uncomfortable shiver up Agatha’s spine. “Very well, we can discuss this. I don’t think I’ve been shy about my interest in you, Agatha.” He grabbed her hands and held them with his own.

“No, my lord, you haven’t. But I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that you are still young and handsome enough to pick a younger, more attractive female. One who hasn’t already been married. I know you still seek an heir and my marriage, though brief, did not result in a pregnancy for me.” Of course that has everything to do with the fact that her virginity is still firmly intact, but Agatha did not dare mention that secret. She’d already shared enough of that for one week.

“You weren’t married long enough to determine if you’re incapable of having children. And as I’ve mentioned, I don’t have the patience for a younger girl with foolish thoughts of the romantic notion. You and I both know this wouldn’t be a love match. There is no need to pretend otherwise.”

That one statement was the most appealing he’d said all evening. She m find him intolerable if she was expected to pretend to be the loving wife.

He brought one of her hands to his mouth and his breath was hot and moist against her bare skin. “That said, I do not want you to mistakenly believe that I do not find you desirable. You, perhaps, could afford to eat less biscuits and cakes, but you are a very handsome woman, Agatha.”

Handsome, but portly, evidently. That was a terrible way to hand out a compliment. No wonder her mother approved of this match, that was precisely the same way she gives praise.

“Thank you, my lord. Your praise is kind, but unnecessary. As you said, if we were to marry, we wouldn’t have a love match.”

“You keep saying ‘if,’ you can consider us betrothed. You don’t need to be careful around me.”

“My lord, that is also very kind, but premature. We are not yet betrothed. You have not asked and I have not agreed. Until both of those things happen, we are merely two acquaintances enjoying the fragrant scent of my mother’s blooms.”

“Are you hinting that I need to compliment you more? I am unaccustomed to such things. I can’t promise anything as fleeting as romantic love, but I can promise you passion.” His eyes fall to her bosom, which was completely covered, but even fabric and a good corset can’t disguise the fact that her breasts are rather large.

With that he jerked her wrist, that he was still holding, and leaned down for a kiss.

On instinct, she raised her free hand with the intent to strike him, but he caught her. His brows rose and his grip tightened on both hands.

“You have fire in you, my dear.” Again his eyes traveled down to her breasts.

Her dinner rolled over in her stomach and she fought the urge to gag.

“I like a woman with some fight in her. Makes things more interesting in the bedroom.” Then he released her hands and stood. “I have a trip that was already scheduled that will take me out of London for the next two weeks. You have that length of time to come to terms with the fact that you will be my wife.”

With one finger, he tips her chin up to face him.

“Take heart, lovely Agatha, being my duchess will give you a handsome allowance and plenty of pretty things with which to surround yourself.” He gives her a slight bow and turns to go. Then he paused, and looked over his shoulder. “Do try to stay out of trouble while I’m away.”