Handsome, but portly, evidently. That was a terrible way to hand out a compliment. No wonder her mother approved of this match, that was precisely the same way she gives praise.
“Thank you, my lord. Your praise is kind, but unnecessary. As you said, if we were to marry, we wouldn’t have a love match.”
“You keep saying ‘if,’ you can consider us betrothed. You don’t need to be careful around me.”
“My lord, that is also very kind, but premature. We are not yet betrothed. You have not asked and I have not agreed. Until both of those things happen, we are merely two acquaintances enjoying the fragrant scent of my mother’s blooms.”
“Are you hinting that I need to compliment you more? I am unaccustomed to such things. I can’t promise anything as fleeting as romantic love, but I can promise you passion.” His eyes fall to her bosom, which was completely covered, but even fabric and a good corset can’t disguise the fact that her breasts are rather large.
With that he jerked her wrist, that he was still holding, and leaned down for a kiss.
On instinct, she raised her free hand with the intent to strike him, but he caught her. His brows rose and his grip tightened on both hands.
“You have fire in you, my dear.” Again his eyes traveled down to her breasts.
Her dinner rolled over in her stomach and she fought the urge to gag.
“I like a woman with some fight in her. Makes things more interesting in the bedroom.” Then he released her hands and stood. “I have a trip that was already scheduled that will take me out of London for the next two weeks. You have that length of time to come to terms with the fact that you will be my wife.”
With one finger, he tips her chin up to face him.
“Take heart, lovely Agatha, being my duchess will give you a handsome allowance and plenty of pretty things with which to surround yourself.” He gives her a slight bow and turns to go. Then he paused, and looked over his shoulder. “Do try to stay out of trouble while I’m away.”
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 thatI’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.”