The Penitent Duke (The Untamed Nobles #1)

Chapter Seven

Lucian cleared his throat, pacing up and down the drawing room, his hands clasped behind his back. This was not at all what he had expected, for neither Lord Fairmont nor Lady Fairmont had been waiting in the drawing room to meet him! Instead, he had been shown into an entirely empty room and was now waiting for Lord Fairmont to deign him with his presence! It was most unexpected and, Lucian considered, somewhat rude.

Muttering to himself, he pushed one hand over his dark hair, which then fell loosely over his forehead. Brushing it to one side, he came to a stop upon spying the brandy in the corner of the room. Shrugging inwardly, he did not hesitate but walked directly towards it, fully intending to help himself. After all, it was the least that could be done for him, given their tardiness! Picking up the decanter, he removed the top and prepared to pour a measure.

“Might I ask what you think you are doing, Your Grace?”

Lucian started in surprise, looking across to the door and seeing none other than Lady Rosalind standing, framed within it. He tried to open his mouth and respond but Lady Rosalind arched one eyebrow and the words failed on his lips.

“I do not think that my father would approve nor appreciate what you are doing,” Lady Rosalind continued, coming a little further into the room but leaving the door wide open. “Might you set the glass down, Your Grace? If you wish for a measure, then I can send for my father and you might ask him yourself.”

Lucian’s jaw tightened. He was not in the least bit pleased with how Lady Rosalind was speaking to him and certainly found himself a good deal irritated with her sharp words to him. All the same, however, there was a slight flush of embarrassment rushing up his chest and into his face and, albeit reluctantly, he did set the glass down.

“I thank you.” Lady Rosalind gestured towards one of the chairs, her eyebrows still lifted. “If you might sit, Your Grace? I believe that we have some things we need to discuss.”

“We?” Lucian did not move, though Lady Rosalind made to sit down regardless, folding her hands in her lap and looking back at him with a sharp gaze. “I am here to discuss something with your father. ”

Her chin lifted a fraction. “No, Your Grace. You are here to discuss the proposal of marriage with me. After all, I am the one you seek to wed, am I not? Therefore, I am the one that you should speak to.”

Lucian did not know how to respond to this. To his mind, he ought only to be speaking to the lady’s father, given that Lord Fairmont would give his consent to the match. Why would the lady herself be involved?

“You think that my father would simply inform me that I am to marry you?” Lady Rosalind let out quiet laugh as she shook her head, a slightly teasing sound in it, irritating him further. “Your Grace, I believe you misunderstand my father if you think that he would ever demand that I wed a gentleman that he has chosen for me! He informed me of your request but now, it is entirely given to me.”

“I hardly think that you are best placed to make such a decision.” Despite his irritation, Lucian made his way to sit opposite her, seeing how a hint of color touched her cheeks. “A lady cannot understand the situation with all its complexities. Nor can she often see what is best for her. She is much too emotional that way, I fear.”

This brought nothing but a seemingly stunned silence as Lady Rosalind first stared at him, only to then narrow her eyes. Lucian looked back without so much as flinching, aware of the creeping embarrassment which continued to spread up through him. He had spoken poorly and he was well aware of that, but he certainly would never either admit to it.

“Let me be quite clear, Your Grace.” Lady Rosalind’s voice had become a little higher pitched, her words snapping out at him. “I fully understand the situation, more than you ever can, given that you have no knowledge of my family nor have any true awareness of the difficulties that we presently face. I am also well aware that should I consent to marry you, my family’s standing will be elevated and my brother’s foolishness, whilst still a stain on our family reputation, will become nothing more than a dull whisper. My father and mother will regain if not improve their standing and I will be placed in one of the very highest situations in the country, aside from the King.” She took in a breath and Lucian looked away, a little embarrassed now. “My emotions are not something that I consider to be in any way a weakness, Your Grace, for it is quite right to consider how I would feel, should I accept the offer of becoming your bride. It is right for me to consider all that I would be troubled with, all that I would bear. You may consider this in only a practical light, whereas I see it from various angles. Now, might you tell me if you still believe that I do not understand the situation with all of its complexities, or that I have no understanding of what might be best for myself and my family? ”

The words that Lucian wanted to speak were caught back in his throat as he glanced to the lady and then looked away again. He began to wonder if she was the right young lady for him to consider, for with such a sharp tongue, she was making it quite plain that she would fight back against whatever he might say, should she feel it unjust. Was that the sort of wife he desired?

“You will not even acknowledge my question?”

“Very well, very well!” Lucian snapped, throwing out one hand towards her. “I should not have spoken as I did, though I have very good reason for stating that young ladies often do not know what is best for them and will go ahead with what they have decided. And this even when I have stated that it would not be wise for them to proceed!” His words grew more forceful, his voice louder until Lucian stopped sharply, realizing just how ragged his breathing had become. Lady Rosalind said nothing for some minutes, looking back at him with slightly widened eyes but a curiosity flickering there – a curiosity that Lucian had no intention of answering.

His heart quailed, far too aware that the person he spoke of was none other than Lady Pearl. She was the reason for his upset, the reason for his rushed words and impassioned speech and yet, in recognizing that, Lucian felt nothing but guilt. Indeed, she had not done as he had asked and had, in fact, chosen to do just as she pleased but Lucian had not been determined enough to prevent her from following him on horseback. He had been too tender, too considerate and, truth be told, too selfish for he had wanted her company with him despite his concerns.

“I do not know of whom or of what you speak, Your Grace, but I can assure you, I have no intention of permitting you to determine what I know or what my reasons might be for following a certain path – either now or in the future, should there be one.”

Lady Rosalind had, it seemed, found her voice, and Lucian scowled darkly.

“Then mayhap this meeting is over before it has even truly begun,” he surmised, arching an eyebrow. “I do not much like a young lady who is so decided in her words. I would have preferred you quieter and much more willing to submit.”

Rather than shrink under his words, Lady Rosalind let out a peal of laughter, though there was scorn in it rather than mirth. Lucian swallowed hard, a tingling rushing through him as he saw her shake her head. Was she laughing at him? That, he did not like in the least .

“I beg your pardon, Your Grace, but might I suggest that stating just how much you dislike me while, at the same time, having a full awareness of how you yourself have behaved of late is a little… ironic?”

Heat poured into Lucian’s face.

“I would much prefer a gentleman who had good manners,” she continued, lifting her hands and beginning to tick things off on her fingers. “A gentleman who was eager to follow all rules of propriety, who sought to make a good impression, who showed consideration for the feelings and struggles of others. I would prefer a gentleman who did not dictate what I ought to do, who did not tell me that I am, somehow, a lesser creature than he because I do not know what is best for me – this after the fact that my own father has given me leave to have this conversation with you because he trusts my judgement.” She shook her head, her hands dropping to her lap. “You are not the only one who does not find everything they have been looking for, Your Grace,” she finished, irony filling her tone still. “Yet somehow, here I am, seeking to find a possible accord because, at present, it is the only future where I might have a little more for my family. And especially for my younger sister.”

Lucian blinked. “Your younger sister? I thought you had only a brother.”

The corners of her mouth caught in a small smile, though it was dashed away just as quickly. “Emilia. She is my younger sister and still at home, in the care of the governess. She will not make her come out for another two or three years. It is because of her that I consider this, Your Grace. Not for my own sake, I can assure you.”

A tension strung itself through Lucian’s limbs, pulling him into himself. “I did not realise that you had a sister.” He sniffed, seeing Lady Rosalind in a new light gifted to him by this revelation. It was not that she would consent to marry him because of her own standing, it seemed, but rather because of her love for her sister and that, he had to admit, made his impression of her improve a little.

All the same, he warned himself, this match would be a difficult one. She was a little too tenacious, a little too sharp-tongued for his liking.

So why am I still sitting here?

“Well?”

Lucian frowned, seeing the question in Lady Rosalind’s expression.

“Are you going to discuss your marriage proposal with me or have you decided that I am much too loud and determined for your liking?”

His lip curled, disliking how she had been able to ascertain his thoughts without so much as him saying a single word. “I –” Stopping himself sharply, he bunched his lips together, then returned his gaze to her. “I came here with the intention of speaking to your father about my considerations as regards a marriage between us.”

“But he is not here and will not join us until I send for him.”

Lucian closed his eyes, letting the frustration wash over him, feeling it rise up and then, as he blew out a breath, begin to recede. “Then I will continue our conversation, Lady Rosalind. What is it that you wish me to answer?”

Lady Rosalind tilted her head. “Given that you have told me that I am not in the least bit what you desire, what is your purpose in suggesting we wed?”

“It is not as though you are entirely unsuitable.” Lucian saw the way she flinched and something stung at his heart but he ignored it. “You are the daughter of an Earl and, therefore, I would expect you to be quite suitable in terms of your understanding of propriety and the like. You will know what it is that is required of you when it comes to being mistress of my estate and, provided you can curb your tongue just a little, I would expect you to understand what is expected as the wife of a Duke.”

“I can certainly fulfill the role, if that is what you are suggesting,” came the reply, though there was no warmth nor even a flicker of interest in her voice. “I have no intention of curbing my tongue, however, for I shall always speak just as I wish and I have no intention of changing that. You will need to understand, Your Grace, that I come from a family where my father and my mother have always considered and respected us just as we are, and that includes seeking out our opinion whenever it is required. I have never felt afraid to speak my thoughts, have never been told that I must silence myself and I have no intention of doing so now.”

This made Lucian’s heart squeeze painfully but he found himself nodding jerkily, though he did not agree in the least bit with what she had said. She was much more obstinate than he had expected, more determined than Lady Pearl had ever been and that was not something that he valued in a young lady. All the same, however, he acknowledged that he had to continue. It was not as though he would be able to find another young lady so willing to marry him, not when he had the reputation of the dark and dismal Duke who could not bear prolonged conversation and was more than a little rude and improper with it. The fact that Lady Rosalind was even considering him was something that he should appreciate which was why, he told himself, he would not end this conversation and walk away as much as he might wish to.

“We were introduced on the very same night as you decided I would be a suitable bride for you,” she said, when Lucian did not respond. “You have not been in society for long either, I ascertain. Might I ask if there is any reason as to why you have sought to marry so quickly?”

Lucian shrugged, sitting back in his chair, his hands on either of the chair’s arms. “Every gentleman requires a wife, do they not? I have responsibilities to the estate and to the title which have, only recently, been pressed upon me with a fresh strength.”

“I see.” Her lips flattened for just a second and then she looked away. “So you require a wife so that your family line can be continued, I presume.”

“Yes.”

“And you have no interest in being a dutiful, considerate and caring husband?”

The question surprised him. “I thought, Lady Rosalind, that you would not care about such things. Do not young ladies seek out the highest titled gentleman they can find to marry? I did not think that what sort of husband the gentleman would be like ever came into your thoughts!”

Lady Rosalind smiled but it was somewhat sad, making Lucian’s brows furrow. “Your Grace, I was here last Season and my father and mother gave me the time simply to make my way through society so I might see which gentlemen were present and so I might also know their character. It is of greatest importance to me to wed someone who has a kind, considerate and generous heart. That choice, however, has been taken away from me given my brother’s terrible behaviour and foolish decisions.” Her smile faded and a glimmer came into her eyes, making Lucian’s brows drop even lower. “If I consent to our marriage, then I will have a high title and the greatest standing aside from the King but I may, also, be rather miserable.”

“More miserable than you are at present?” Lucian had not meant those words to come from his lips with such force, had not meant to cause such a sting but the way she recoiled from him, the way she pushed herself back in her chair with the color draining from her cheeks told him that he had injured her significantly.

“I – I did not mean –”

“You are quite right, Your Grace.” Lady Rosalind smiled again but this time, she blinked quickly to push away the tears dancing in her eyes. “I am sorrowful at this present moment. However, I have dear friends and considerate parents and a regretful brother. If I was to wed you, then what I have in them would be taken from me. So indeed, I might consider that my misery would be all the greater if I consented to marry you. ”

This made Lucian tremble, though he could not explain why. Was he angry at her explanation? Frustrated with what she believed about him? Considering this, Lucian recognized that part of him wanted to prove her wrong, to not only demand that they wed but, thereafter, show her that what she feared would not come about. That she would not be as miserable as she feared, though quite why he should care about that, Lucian did not know.

“I think we understand each other well enough, Lady Rosalind,” he found himself saying, rising to his feet so that the conversation would, finally, come to an end. “I do not think that you would fulfill every one of my requirements but you would certainly fulfill enough of them for me to propose marriage. You seem to feel as though I have no endearing qualities and that is something I cannot change.”

“I do not think that is true.”

Lucian’s jaw jutted forward as Lady Rosalind too rose to her feet, her eyes searching.

“I think you could alter your character well enough, Your Grace, should you choose to. It seems to me as though the gentleman you are now was not always the gentleman you have been. Lord Radcliffe expressed as much to Lady Eleanor and myself last evening. Therefore, I am certain you can change such things, had you any desire to but it is that, I think, that is the true issue.” She lifted one eyebrow as Lucian opened his mouth and then closed it again, choosing not to respond verbally, at least.

Or was it because he knew that she spoke the truth?

“You are proposing to me because you are also aware that my current standing means I will not have any other offers of marriage,” she continued, looking at him with a slight flicker in her green eyes, her red curls swinging gently from the back of her head. “And yet, I shall take my time to consider, Your Grace. I will not answer you immediately.”

For the first time since she had entered the room, Lucian sensed a flicker of respect within him for the lady. She was speaking honestly again, indeed, and with a determination that he still disliked but all the same, there was a calmness within that assertiveness which he could not help but respect. “Very well.” He bowed, a sense of quietness now filling the room, replacing the fury and the upset which he had felt for so long. “Might I ask how long it will take for you to consider?”

She lifted her shoulders a little. “A fortnight, Your Grace, I should think.”

This did not please Lucian for it meant that he would have to linger in London for a little longer than he had intended. His cousin’s wedding was about to take place but he would then have to wait for another two weeks thereafter before Lady Rosalind would give him her answer – and even then, she might refuse him! In which case, it would have been a waste of his time. He opened his mouth to refuse, to tell her that it was much too long for him to wait, only to snap it closed again. He was not about to start an argument, recognizing that coercing her to do as he wished would, no doubt, encourage her to stick to what she desired all the more.

He sighed. “Very well.”

The look of surprise on Lady Rosalind’s face was immediate and Lucian could not help the rueful smile which touched his lips. Clearly, she had expected him to argue with her and now, he felt himself rather proud that he had not.

“We should probably seek to spend a little time in each other’s company on occasion,” he continued, making her eyebrows lift all the higher. “We are not going to get to know each other if we stay at a distance. Surely, you may think that you know me well enough and have no desire to further acquaint yourself with me but nevertheless, I think it would be wise.”

Lady Rosalind looked away, her hands clasping in front of her, fingers white. “Very well, Your Grace.”

Lucian nodded and then stepped away, leaving Lady Rosalind alone. He walked purposefully out of the house, a sense of satisfaction settling on him. Indeed, she had not consented immediately but there was still a hope that she might. Then, Lucian considered, he would finally be able to retreat back to his estate, wife beside him, and never have to return to society again.

And I shall have to make certain that she never strays from my commands, regardless of what she might think or seek to do, he told himself, recalling the moment he had agreed to let Lady Pearl ride beside him back to the estate. I cannot let Lady Rosalind suffer the same fate as Lady Pearl. That strength within her, that force of will must be broken, whether she wishes it or not.