Her Mystery Duke(43)
“Oh, do tell.”
“Just Wednesdays. Perhaps the odd Saturday.”
“Ha! I knew it.”
“You cannot deny that we’ve had some lovely times together.”
“Had some lovely times, Your Grace, had.”
His handsome, distinguished features tightened. A mild vexation. “Don’t do that.”
“What?”
“Do not call me ‘Your Grace.’ Not while we’re alone like this.” He drew his dark heavy brows tightly together. “I told you that I cared for you.”
“You also said that you didn’t want to find out how much.”
“Circumstances forced me to discover just how much I do care about you. How much I want you. I can give you a luxurious life.”
“I don’t need luxury.”
“All women adore luxury.”
“Well, I am different.”
“You’ve never had luxury, Jeanne. You may find you like it very well.”
“That’s just the thing. If I have been able to get along without luxury, why should I open myself up to being accustomed to it? To becoming a slave to it?”
He stared at her as if she were some strange creature that he needed to categorize. “What do you want?”
“I want peace, solitude, freedom.”
His features sharpened as if with irritation. “It would only be an afternoon or two a week.”
“Yes, but you’ll try to dictate how I live.”
He seemed to freeze. To pause. Did he look guilty? Or was that her imagination seeing what it feared to see?
“What the devil makes you think that I want to dictate how you live?”
“Because you are already attempting to have your say.”
“I just want to see you comfortable and safe. Nothing more.”
“Nothing more? Are you sure?” She smiled at him, a teasing, seductive smile. A smile she‘d never given anyone. He awoke the natural temptress in her. She’d never dreamed she could be a temptress.
His eyes seemed to darken and he shifted in his seat. “Well, if you are determined to be an authoress, I would like to have Mr. Packer find you a better publisher. Someone who will have your best interests in mind and who will help you develop your talent.”
“Do you see? I knew it. My mother was an artist. A far better one than my father. But he insisted that he could develop her talent, if only she would allow it.”
“I take it that didn’t work out well.”
“She ended up being his assistant, his servant, his slave. His works never sold well. What might have happened had she been the one allowed to follow her muse with the support of a constant helpmate?”
“But our situation is very different. I don’t want you to cook, clean, or bear children for me. I just want one or two afternoons a week.”
“Mistresses end up as unofficial wives all the time, burdened with a litter of children.”
“I shall do my best to refrain from planting my seed in you.”
“Accidents have been known to happen.”
“If they happen, I shall provide you with a staff to help raise the child. I will give the child an inheritance. I am not an insensitive man.”
“David, I am very tired and all this talk is giving me a headache.”
“We shall be at my house soon.”
“Your house?”
“You cannot think I would simply drop you off at your dismal, drafty little garret when you are dripping wet and shivering. I shall see you taken care of tonight and my physician shall see you in the morning to make sure you’re not going to take a fever from this night.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“I insist. Now tell me, what is this publisher’s name, this man who left you alone and without funds at the theatre.”
“That’s unimportant. It is all over.” She leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes.
* * * *
At the soft click of an opening door, Jeanne awoke in with a start. She’d always slept lightly ever since Papa’s illness. The bed was huge and so soft, she wasn’t sure if she liked it or not. Thick, velvet bed drapes created darkness. Last night, David had put her into the care of Mrs. Alligood. The woman had stripped her and then prepared a steaming bath scented with rosemary oil. They’d given her a huge mug of heated, spiced wine and she’d grown so sleepy.
The bed curtains parted and light filled the space. Mrs. Alligood smiled at her. “Good, you’re awake. His Grace has sent some clothing for you and he wants you ready within the hour.”
“Ready?”
“Dr. Jones is coming to have a look at you. And then I believe his Grace expects you to go out with him this evening.”