Page 24 of Starlight and the Duke (Cherish and the Duke #5)

His heart tightened, for Fiona had been in anguish and praying for a child for years while Eloise could probably pop them out year after year and did not care a fig.

One of life’s cruel ironies.

Eloise pursed her lips and frowned. “Nor do I want any other duties required of a duchess. My heart is pledged to learning. This I can do without interference because I have a sizeable inheritance from my maternal grandmother. Nor will my parents be excessively put out, because I have eight brothers and sisters who will be far more amenable to doing their bidding.”

Rob was not so sure her family would be so easily assuaged. “Lady Eloise, they have thrown you in my path because they know your status as a duchess will not only provide a good life for you but also elevate the chances of your siblings to make good matches. Surely you understand this.”

“Oh, yes. I do understand this is their aim. However, it does not seem fair of me to use you in this manner when I have no intention of taking on the duties of a wife. Well, not to a man such as yourself. And please do not take this as an insult. I only mean that you are the sort who would want a wife who understands the importance of putting your marriage first.”

Was that such a demanding request? To love and honor one’s husband? To respect one’s marriage vows? He would do no less for his wife.

“If you must know, I would sooner choose Lord Pershing than you.”

Rob shook his head. “ What? That man is utterly lacking in moral fiber.”

“Yes, I know,” she said, finally smiling.

“But his uncle happens to be one of the directors of the British Museum and one of the wealthiest men in England. Yes, Lord Pershing is a miscreant in every respect. But this is what makes him the perfect choice for me. He cannot get his hands on my funds because of the way my grandmother set up my inheritance.”

“So, you are going to use him to get close to his uncle and further your scholarly pursuits?”

“Aren’t these Society matches all about using each other to further one’s goals? You will easily find someone else to marry you. Any other woman in England would leap at the chance to be your duchess. But as for me, I would rather have Pershing.”

He let out a breath. “I am most grateful for your honesty.”

She eyed him curiously. “Yes, I see that you are. You are taking this news exceedingly well. In truth, you look relieved. Does this mean you are in love with someone else?”

Rob was not going to answer that. It was his turn to remain silent.

“And she is denied to you? I am sorry for you, then. As for me, I am determined to fight for what I want.”

Rob was not certain he admired her motives, but he could not deny the logic of her plan.

Pershing would go on as he was, destroying himself with every vice set before him, while Eloise pursued her scholarly dreams not bothered by his debauched style of living.

They would never have to see each other again after their wedding.

A match made in heaven.

And since Pershing was actually well connected, Eloise’s siblings would also gain the advantage of a tie to that powerful family.

What would Fiona say to this surprising turn of events?

“I hope you succeed,” he said sincerely. “But I will also offer a word of caution.”

Eloise winced. “Not you, too. I hear this daily from my family.”

“Then you shall hear it from me as well, because it is important. Do not get caught up in the challenge or the importance of defying your family’s wishes. You may live to regret your choice once you win and have your way.”

“My grandmother often gave me the same lecture before she passed on,” she said, casting him a wry smile. “I assure you, this is not a mistake I will ever make. You might understand if you are ever fortunate enough to find the true matching half to your heart.”

He had found it in Fiona. No two hearts were a better fit.

“Lady Eloise, a concept , even one as noble as higher learning, is not the same thing. A mere concept does not have a heart, and therefore cannot qualify as a mate to yours.”

“And who declared this to be a rule? Why must my matching half be a person? Why can it not be a thing?”

Rob shrugged. “A thing does not have feelings. A thing cannot cry or laugh or breathe. Nor can it be a voice of conscience.”

He thought of Fiona, who was a bundle of feelings, too many of them raw at the moment. If she had a fault, it could be said that she felt everything too strongly.

But he loved this compassionate side to her. She was his match. It was something he felt in his bones and to the depths of his soul. No logic involved. Just knowing that everything was right with the world whenever she was beside him.

He wanted to be that person for Fiona, too. The one she turned to for comfort, to hold her through her tears. The one to share her joys.

“Lady Eloise, if you wish to call an end to our hunting for scavenger articles, I will not mind.”

“No, let’s get through this or we shall disappoint our hostess. Now that I have made my position clear, what need is there to run off? Unless…are you terribly irritated with me?”

“I am not in the least irritated.”

She finally gave a genuine laugh. “Should I be insulted?”

He grinned. “I did not mean it as an insult. I just appreciate honesty whenever it is offered. It happens so rarely.”

“I agree.”

Now at ease with each other, they had fun finding the last items and were smiling when they returned to the terrace.

He saw Fiona standing there with a score sheet in hand and talking to another couple who had reached her just ahead of them. She was logging their finds on the sheet, obviously having taken on the role of hostess in Cherish’s absence.

Had Cherish suddenly taken ill? Was there a problem concerning the child she carried?

“Is everything all right?” he asked, immediately approaching Fiona.

She nodded. “Yes, all’s well. Cherish just dashed off to attend to everything else planned for today. You are the second couple to return, and I see you have found all the scavenger hunt items. Congratulations.”

He arched an eyebrow.

Eloise politely thanked Fiona.

“There are refreshments waiting for you on the tables set up in the corner,” Fiona said, eyeing him with curiosity.

Of course, she wanted to know his thoughts on Eloise. He would give her an earful when they had a moment alone.

“Grab yourselves a shady spot while waiting for the others,” she said, still staring at him.

Rob escorted Eloise to one of the tables currently in the shade. “Care for a lemonade? Tea? Something a little stronger?”

She shook her head. “I’m fine. Lady Shoreham keeps looking our way.”

“Does she? I hadn’t noticed.” But of course he had. His hope was that Fiona felt the mistake in giving him up to someone else, the entire impossibility of their being happy with anyone other than each other.

“She must be curious to see how we are getting along,” Eloise remarked.

“Yes, I suppose.”

“Ah, but there’s Pershing. He seems to be wandering down the wrong path again.” She nibbled her lip a moment. “Would you mind terribly if I went after him?”

Rob laughed lightly. “Not at all. Have at him.”

In truth, Pershing might do well under the management of a strong-willed wife like Eloise. She may not want him in her bed or indeed anywhere near her. But she was going to protect him even from a distance in order to maintain the benefits of her marital status.

And Pershing was sorely in need of a protector.

“Thank you. Wish me luck,” she said, and scampered off.

Rob poured himself a lemonade, needing the refresher as the afternoon wore on and the wind began to die down. He studied Fiona, curious to see her expression when she realized Eloise was chasing after that drunken sot.

This was another thing he adored about Fiona, how open she was.

One had only to look at her eyes or the purse of her pretty lips to know what she was thinking.

No wiles. No schemes… Well, only well-intentioned schemes of a romantic nature meant to bring about a happy result.

She would never plot anything malicious.

Her eyes widened and her mouth gaped open as she watched Eloise and Pershing. Then, with a shake of her head, she turned to look at him.

He smiled at her and shrugged.

She seemed utterly confused.

He drank the last of his lemonade and marched over to her. “A problem, Fiona?”

Gad, she looked so lovely with that big-eyed, befuddled stare. “Why is Lady Eloise with Pershing and not you?”

He could not suppress a chuckle. “Do not blame me. I did my duty, but it turns out she wants a useless waste of a husband like Pershing.”

“What? How is that possible? Has she taken complete leave of her senses?”

“There is an odd logic to her choice. She wants a husband that she can ignore and yet still control at will.”

“Rob! That is awful.”

He shrugged again. “Yes, I think so. But it suits her goals. She wants to be left alone to indulge in her scholarly pursuits. Is this not why you chose this brainy bluestocking for me? Except you did not question her hard enough, or you would have learned she doesn’t really want to be a wife or ever be a mother. ”

Pain shone in Fiona’s eyes. “She doesn’t want children?”

“No, love,” he said gently.

She let out a ragged breath. “I see. I am so sorry, Rob. I should have been more careful in my selection for you.”

“No, you did your best and chose sincerely for me. The point is, there are never any guarantees in life. Three out of those four were respectable choices, but still were not right for me. The only obvious mistake was Anne. Who chose her?”

“Cherish did.”

“I thought so. She’s far too trusting, but you would have seen through Anne’s manipulations immediately. I expect you chose the others.”

She nodded.

“Yes, they are smart, engaging, and pleasant enough looking…but not suitable for me.”

“But Florence—”

“No, Aubrey wants her.” Well, not quite true. Aubrey wanted to find out what Florence was really up to with her bird-watching stunt. And was Aubrey not the best one to discover her true purpose when he understood about birds and could easily tell if she were spinning fables?

“Then Millicent—”

“Cannot wait to leave England and explore ancient civilizations. She intends to travel the world. I need to remain in England and take care of the Durham estate holdings.”

Fiona huffed. “Eloise? Surely she could not possibly choose—”

“Do you really expect me to keep her in consideration when she has openly stated she prefers Pershing to me? To pursue her would make me a laughingstock, especially if I did lose her to that churl. Spare me, Fiona. She is out of the question.”

She regarded him with utter dejection. “So, what now?”

“Nothing. I enjoy this house party and spend these next few days with you. We are going to be teammates anyway. Cherish will send Bromleigh to sleep in the stables if he dares foist Pershing on you again. Since he loves her to pieces, he has already surrendered and offered to add me to your team.”

“He hasn’t said anything to me yet.”

“He will,” Rob said. “He understands what he needs to do to make his wife happy.”

“But then you will be spending all your time with me, and this is the last thing you ought to be doing.”

“Fine, I’ll go riding with Bromleigh and his fellow Silver Dukes once they all arrive. Lynton’s already here, and I understand Camborne and Ramsdale are due to arrive later today. I’ll play billiards and drink brandy with Reggie. I’ll go fishing on my own.”

Her ears perked. “I don’t mind fishing.”

“I know,” he said, smiling as he recalled those lazy childhood summers when it was too hot for them to do much more than sit under a shade tree by the stream that flowed behind their neighboring properties and dip their poles into the swift waters, waiting for a plump fish to take the bait.

“Care to join me for that? How about at dawn tomorrow?”

She let out a breath. “Yes, I would love it.”

“Then I’ll forgo my morning ride and we’ll go fishing instead. Most of the games you and Cherish have planned won’t start much before noon anyway. Ah, more scavenger hunters are returning.”

Fiona nodded and then left his side to greet them and mark down the items they’d found. Rob remained seated, feeling quite satisfied with how the day had turned out.

Now there was only one concern remaining.

Milbury.

Would the man use this house party as an opportunity to woo Fiona? Would Fiona encourage it?

If so, how was Rob to put a stop to it without being made to look the villain?