“I concur, Your Grace. We may never love one another, but we will enjoy procreation.”
We may never love one another. Perhaps she had loved him once, but that was long ago, when she was still not much more than a child.
It did not matter.
It could not matter.
If anything, it was a blessing. They would come together as lovers, but they would not love.
Yes, that was as it should be.
They were within sight of the park gates when she asked, “Have you discharged your mistress?”
His mind flashed to a picture of Miriam’s tear streaked face. “Yes.”
“Was she overset?”
“Is it any concern of yours?”
“Not in the slightest. Was she?”
“Quite, although I couldn’t be certain how much was true sorrow at my dismissal, or a very pretty act to encourage my guilty conscience to increase the settlement.”
“I asked you to be generous.”
“I was beyond generous and downright ridiculous. We will not speak of her again, Jane. Is that clear?”
“Oh, yes, quite.”
He noted she was smiling happily. “You are pleased with the turn of events?”
“Very pleased, Blixford. Thank you. I find I’m anxious for tomorrow to arrive.”
Turning his attention to the street beyond the gates, Michael realized that while he might be loath to admit it, so was he.
Chapter 5
Just after dawn the following morning, Jane soothed her mare, explaining she would have to wait a bit before having her head. “As soon as Blixford arrives, you shall run. Until then, we must be patient.”
Grendel tossed her head, clearly unhappy with the notion of patience.
At long last, Blixford appeared, riding toward her at a leisurely pace. Why had he not heeded her request to hurry? Had he assumed her note was sent as a lark, merely meant to entice him for an early morning ride? The man had quite a lot to learn of her.
“Good morning, Lady Jane,” he said amiably as he rode up. His buckskin riding breeches were tucked into polished, black boots. He wore a black coat and black waistcoat, the darkness broken only by the froth of his white linen shirt and loosely knotted neckcloth. He looked very handsome, as he always did, but clearly, he had dressed in a hurry. In fact, he had forgotten his hat and riding gloves.
Mollified, but not all together, she said, “You are tardy, Your Grace. This is most annoying. Did you not read my note carefully?”
“But of course I did. You indicated you had something of great import to tell me and I should meet you at Rotten Row at first light.” He nodded to the east. “I see the sun just peeking out. It is first light, and you, my lady, are your usual termagant self. All is as it should be. Now, what is this news that cannot wait until our wedding?”
Worrying her bottom lip with her teeth, she allowed Grendel to prance about while she collected her thoughts. How best to tell him? She decided straight out was the only way. Easing the mare to a standstill, she looked across at Blixford, sucked in a deep, calming breath and released it slowly. “I would not go forward with our plans until I have made you aware of certain truths. I believed I could do so, that it would not be of importance, but after a restless, trying night, I find I must tell you. To begin our marriage without truth and honesty would seem the height of stupidity, as well as a dishonor to you and your consequence, both as a duke and a gentleman. I’ll not have you accusing me of any betrayal.”
His expression grew dark as she spoke. “Suppose you tell me, right out? What is this secret that kept you tossing and turning last night?”
“You will not be my first.”
His eyebrows shot up, but he remained silent.
“I was not forthcoming about MacDougal. It is my hope that what I’m about to say will remain between us, Your Grace. For all that MacDougal grievously wronged me, I do not wish him dead, and were my father and brothers to discover the truth of things, he would most certainly be killed with all due haste.”
Incredibly, his expression grew darker. Thunderous, even. He nudged his stallion closer to Grendel. “Have you no fear that I pose a similar threat?”
Oh dear. She had inflamed his masculinity, and his honor. This was not something she anticipated. Treading carefully, she kept her gaze upon his. “My honor was adequately avenged, Blixford. His death will not reinstate my maidenhead. It would, in fact, cause me a great deal of anxiety if he were killed.”
He set the stallion to walking and jerked his head that she should catch up. Glad to be moving, she did so and their horses walked along Rotten Row. “Perhaps you should tell me all of it, Jane.”
“Yes, well, you see, MacDougal was quite fond of me. I was fond of him, but failed to realize until after some time that his fondness was of a romantic nature. When this became apparent, I told him I couldn’t return his affections. He was persistent for a time, but eventually, we settled into a companionable friendship.”