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“Oh, I just want it to be perfect!” Miss Gouldsmith cried out suddenly. She scrunched her face into a ball, looking as if she might burst into tears. “Surely, that is not too much to ask!”

“And it will be,” Duncan said, but with a bite. “Of that, you do not need to worry.”

“But I am worried!” she continued. “Yes, our love is strong – my heart yearns, Your Grace. Do not doubt that. But if it is not a perfect wedding then I fear for our future. I... I... I...” She sniffed and wiped her nose. “Oh, look at me! Getting all emotional.” She sniffed again. “I am just so happy! Please, do not blame me. I know you feel the same way!”

Again, she was prodding him. Poking. Trying to get him to rise to the bait. And Duncan very nearly did. He wanted nothing more than to scold her and tell her to stop being so foolish – that he would not accept such childish behavior.

He did not, of course. He stayed calm. Reasonable. Took a deep breath and continued to put on airs of a man very much in love with his soon-to-be bride.

“Of course not,” he said. “In fact, I admire just how open you are with your feelings. It shows heart, which was one of the reasons I fell for you in the first place.”

Her face dropped and her lip curled and Duncan raised an eyebrow at her as if to say ‘Nice try.’

“Perhaps we should turn back to the date?” the viscountess spoke up. “Never mind my daughter, Your Grace. I assure you that she will be thrilled with whatever date you come up with.”

“I am sure she will be.”

“I am afraid, however, that I must be off.” He stood quickly. “So much to do, as I am sure you can imagine. Really, today was more about confirmation and making introductions.”

“Oh. Are you sure?”

“Yes, are you sure?” Miss Gouldsmith agreed. “Perhaps if you would like to spend the day? With all of us? I know what a treat that will be.”

“I would love to but am unable,” Duncan hurried. “But soon, my sweet, we have all the time in the world. I promise you.” He rose from his chair quickly. “I will make sure to write once the dates are set and we can begin to organize the affair.”

“But --”

“Until then, as always, it was a pleasure seeing you again and I shall...” He grimaced. “I shall think of you every minute of every day.”

He was quick to leave after that. A hastily said goodbye, not even stopping to allow Miss Gouldsmith or the viscountess to stand before he was down the hallway and making for the exit.

His mind spun as he stepped outside. A marriage that he did not want, made infinitely more difficult to comprehend because hisbride-to-be was set trying to make him change his mind when she should have known such a thing could not happen.

He climbed into the carriage, glad to be free of that calamity, while wondering with great resignation what the woman was bound to try next. He did not know her well, but he knew her well enough to suspect that today was not the end but only the beginning --

The carriage door swung open suddenly and Miss Gouldsmith climbed in.

“Miss Gouldsmith!” he cried. “What on earth are you --”

“We need to talk,” she said as she closed the door behind her. “Now.”

Chapter Eight

"Miss Gouldsmith!” the Duke cried in shock as Isabella shut the door behind her. He looked about the carriage and back to the house, making sure that they were alone. “This is highly inappropriate.”

“As I said, we need to talk.”

“We just did.”

“Alone,” she said as she settled across from him. “Without my mother there to influence you.”

“Influence me?” He raised an eyebrow at her. “If you think that your mother’s opinion has any effect on me, Miss Gouldsmith, then you clearly do not know me at all.”

“Oh, please...” She rolled her eyes.

“As I have told you time and time again, this wedding is a result of your interference and my honor. Anything I might have said just now that seemed designed to appease your mother was done simply because I do not tolerate insubordination and silliness.”

“Is that so?” she scoffed. “The way you spoke of us just now. One would think that we were star crossed lovers in league with Romeo and Juliet – and I know why you did it, by the way. Do not think I am such a fool to not understand.”