Chapter 6

6

She remained on the stone bench waiting for the duke to leave her parent’s townhome before attempting to make her own escape. But today she must be due for punishment because her mother slipped out the backdoor and swiftly made her way to Agatha’s side.

She’s all smiles and tittering laughs when she delicately flounces onto the bench.

“How did it go? Did he officially propose?” Her mother’s question feels like sour milk in Agatha’s stomach.

“No, he did not.” Thank goodness because she truly needed an alternative to being his duchess before she could say no when he finally got around to asking.

Her mother’s features narrowed. “What did you do? Did you say something foolish?” Then her eyes trail over Agatha’s body. “And why are you still dressed as the grieving widow? Your husband has been in the ground for two years. You are no longer required to wear black.”

“This dress is perfectly acceptable for a dinner with my parents, which is what you told me tonight would be. Not a blatant attempt to throw me into the duke’s lap.”

“That sassy tongue of yours. It’s a wonder the duke will even entertain the idea of marrying you.” Her mother’s lips pursed. “At least you look pretty in dark colors. Though you could have at least found one that showed off some of your finer assets.”

Yes, the well-known mourning gown with décolletage. Agatha once again fought the urge to roll her eyes.

“Mother, I do not appreciate being ambushed. Perhaps I would have worn something more to your likely had you told me up front that this was a dinner with His Grace.” Of course she probably would have worn a slightly less flattering gown and even added her veil had she known.

“You are wasting time with this,” her mother snaps. “Your father and I are not going to give you money. I’ve warned you this.”

The truth was, her parents had enough money to last them a lifetime. Still, they’d made it abundantly clear, she would receive none of it. They’d married her off once, and that had been her opportunity to secure her own income. That had failed when her husband died before she’d secured an heir.

Upon his death, his entire fortune went to his nephew, who promptly kicked Agatha to the curb. Well, she gladly retreated to the curb after he made it abundantly clear she could stay if—and only if--she warmed his bed.

Horrible man.

Her parents had made it known then that she was not welcome to return home but that they would do their best to assist her in finding another suitable match.

“I am not wasting time. I have not agreed to marry the Duke of Lancaster, nor has he officially asked for my hand. He is out of London for the next two weeks so it seems irrelevant tonight that I’m not engaged. Have you ever considered that I do not wish to marry him?”

Her mother leaned back as if Agatha struck her. “Don’t be naive, child. We were fortunate to marry you off the first time with that mouth of yours. This time, you’re older and already used goods, as it were so it proved a challenge. But I found the perfect man for you. You would so boldly toss that gift back at me.”

Agatha released a humorless laugh. “The duke is hardly a gift, mother. A man I did not ask for.”

“All right, if you’re so independent, tell me how you’re intending to support yourself? You cannot live with that strange friend of yours forever. People will talk. And then you’ll never be able to find a man.”

“Perhaps I do not need a man.”

“Do not be an idiot, Agatha. Women have no power in this world behind that of their fathers and husbands. Where our power lies is in our ability to withstand horrible situations and make the best of them. Do you think I love your father? He was not a love match for me. Our union was an advantageous one. Nothing more, nothing less.

“You have no way to afford living in London without a husband. It is your only choice.”

“Not precisely,” Agatha ventured. “I could…” her voice faltered. She cleared her throat, then rounded her shoulders. Reminded herself that she could do this. She could stand up for herself to her mother. “I could become a mistress. Have my independence with the financial security and protection from a man of my choosing.”

Her mother gasped.

Agatha was surprised the woman didn’t strike her.

“You would whore yourself out in such a way. I did not raise you to be that kind of woman.” She stood. “I cannot speak with you anymore this evening, you are making me far too angry.” Her mother’s gaze was heated with fury. “You would do well if you went home and counted the last of your monies whilst making peace with the fact that the Duke of Lancaster is your best and only choice.”

And for the second time that night Agatha was left in the garden alone.