The Duke I'm Going to Marry(27)

However, he didn’t make her skin tingle or her heart skip beats. She didn’t think he would look very good naked. He was soft and lumpy.

Ian was hard and smooth.

She sighed. She had to stop thinking of Ian, for he could offer her nothing. As nice as he was at times, there was nothing to recommend him as a husband. Falling in love with Ian would condemn her to a life of loneliness and disappointment. And how would he be as a father? He’d been nice enough to Ivy the other day, but that required only a few moments of his time. How would he behave toward his own children? Would he bother with them at all?

Rose regained her attention by giving her a hug. “You let us know what you want, once you’ve figured it out for yourself. We’ll support you, whatever your decision.”

She returned Rose’s hug. “I wish it were that easy. I’d love to have what all of you have with your husbands, and I don’t simply mean marriage. You’ve all found love with the one partner in life who makes you happy, who believes in you and brings out the best in you, just as you bring out the best in him.”

Rose cast her an indulgent smile. “You’ll find it, Dillie.”

She drew away slightly and sighed again. “When?”

“You’re young still. It will happen. Don’t be so impatient.” But her smile slipped as she added, “If your heart leads you to the Duke of Edgeware, be careful. Learn all you can about him before daring to open your heart to him. It is a rare mother who hates her child as openly as the dowager duchess hates him. There must be a reason. Find out what it is as soon as possible.”





CHAPTER 5


A GRAY MIST FELL as Dillie stood on the steps in front of the Farthingale residence with Rose later that afternoon, watching Rose’s sleek carriage draw up to the townhouse gate. “I enjoyed our time together,” Dillie said, a little wistful as they hugged farewell. These visits were a rare pleasure, for Rose now had a thriving glassware business, a doting husband, and beautiful children who commanded her attention.

“Remember what I said about Edgeware,” Rose whispered before scrambling up the carriage steps and climbing in. She stuck her head out of the window as the carriage began to draw away. “I love you, Dillie!”

“Love you, too.” She grinned and tucked her shawl more securely about her shoulders to ward off the chill in the air and then glanced up at the sky again. The clouds were thickening. She sighed. This light mist would soon turn into a hard rain. She hoped it wouldn’t ruin Lady Wakeford’s ball this evening. She had been looking forward to it all week long. Her sisters, all of them save Lily, would be in attendance. Goodness, she missed them. It was no fun clattering about alone in this big house.

There was no help for it—she simply had to find herself a husband. How difficult could it be? She already had two men under consideration. The first was Charles Ealing, an amiable lord who genuinely seemed to like her. He had much to recommend him as well. The second was Ian Markham, who was not amiable in any way, and she didn’t know why he’d even slipped into her thoughts. He had no intention of ever marrying, didn’t want the complication of a wife.

So why was she thinking of him? The Chipping Way curse was stuff and nonsense. They weren’t destined to marry.

Goodness, the mere possibility made her shiver.

Dillie walked back inside. “Pruitt,” she said as the Farthingale butler hurried forward to close the front door, “where’s my mother?”

“Retired to her quarters for a nap. Your aunts have retired to their quarters as well, no doubt to refresh themselves before the Wakeford ball.”

“Where are my cousins? Sleeping as well?”

Pruitt rolled his eyes. “I doubt it. Last I saw of them, they were upstairs in the children’s quarters being read stories by their nannies. I hope these young ladies last longer than the pair they replaced.”

“I’m sure they will. The younger boys aren’t as wild as they were last year. They’re growing into little men, and Lizbeth has turned into quite the young lady.” She shook her head and let out a gentle laugh. “Amazingly, I’m sure they’ll be no problem.”

Pruitt nodded. “Truth be told, it is a little disconcerting to have the house so quiet. At first, I was afraid I was losing my hearing.”

She shook her head and laughed. “But you haven’t.” Then she turned serious, nibbling her lower lip in thought. Pruitt had been in the family since before she was born and knew her family better than anyone else. He was loyal, clever, and a good judge of character. Though he never voiced an opinion, he always seemed to be standing close by whenever one needed him. “Pruitt, what do you think of the Duke of Edgeware?”