Page 14 of The Duke and the Hellion Bride (Duchesses of Convenience #7)

Chapter Fourteen

“Y ou do not have to be here, if you do not want,” Diana said to Magnus as the two stood on the front drive of the manor in wait. “I know you are busy.”

“I want to be here,” Magnus said, a small lie, but one that was believable enough. “It is important that your mother see us together. If I did not greet her at the very least, how would that look?”

“As if you are avoiding her,” Diana said. “Which might be the smarter action.” She winked. “You would not be the first to do so.”

Magnus chuckled. “Oh, she is not that bad.”

“She is fine,” Diana sighed in agreement. “And I am certain that given the circumstances, she will endeavor to be on her best behavior.”

“As we spoke about, I will greet them properly and then leave the three of you to catch up. Trust me, you do not want me lurking about like a bad odor.”

“You do not have to go,” Diana pressed gently. “I mean... it would not be so bad if you spent the day. But only if you wish it,” she then added quickly.

Magnus eyed his wife curiously, sensing very much what it was she was getting at, not sure how he felt about the matter. “Do you wish for me to spend the day?”

“Only if you do.”

Magnus knew exactly what she wanted him to say. He could see it in her eyes. A silent plea to take that next step and spend the day with her family, a perfect opportunity to get to know one another better in ways they’d not yet had the chance to do.

And he almost agreed. Dammit, a part of him wanted to, just as much. But Magnus was many things, and opening himself to the proclivities and expectations that married life seemed to demand regarding his personal life was not one of them.

“I think it is best if I leave the three of you,” Magnus said, offering a smile as a conciliation. “I do have a deluge of work to attend, and I am afraid I would not be great company because of it – my mind would be elsewhere all day. You understand?”

She pursed her lips together. Behind her eyes, Magnus saw that desire for her to argue and say exactly what was on her mind. And she just might have too, was it not for the fact that just now the carriage was pulling up before them, forcing back her attention and saving Magnus from the argument.

Talk about perfect timing. It would not do to argue right now, as we all know where that is likely to lead...

“As you wish,” was all she offered, her attention now fully turned to the carriage just in time for the passenger doors to swing open.

The first to appear in the doorway was Diana’s cousin, Miss Evelyn Goldsmith. A year older than Diana, she somehow managed to look younger; a little naiver and immature. Undoubtedly pretty with her dark features and aquiline face, she was taller too, skinnier, not at all Mangus’ type – she might have been once, but he was now firmly a man who enjoyed curves, which his current wife had in spades.

“Diana!” Miss Evelyn Goldsmith cried out and scrambled down from the carriage.

“Evelyn!” Diana rushed to greet her.

Magnus stayed back, once again glad for the distraction their guests brought. He felt guilty for the fact that he planned on abandoning them, and he knew it was the wrong thing to do. Sadly, Magnus was still in two minds about this marriage and was yet to fully come to terms with what he wanted.

Yesterday was as unexpected as it was transcendent. Finally, he and Diana had managed a real conversation, putting their usual hostilities aside as they came to understand that both were confused about what this marriage of convenience was supposed to mean and what they expected from it. That, he felt, was a huge step forward.

And what happened next, the kiss that led to more. Also unexpected but even now, a full day later, he still felt himself stiffen just to remember the taste of Diana on his lips and the feel of her body writhing as his tongue and mouth devoured her womanhood. Diana wanted him as much as he wanted her, and he knew now that he was in no way taking advantage of her when he had kissed her those previous times. Another huge step forward.

Of course, that was where the good times ended and where the troubles began.

Theodore had been right in more ways than one. A marriage was not simple, and one could not approach it hidden behind a mask. Yesterday, as they lay together, Diana had begun to ask questions that Magnus did not wish to answer – he hated speaking of his past, for the shame it brought him, and the embarrassment, was not something he wished to relive with anyone. If he had his way, he would never speak of it again. Alas, it was not so simple as that. Not even close.

A marriage required compromise. It required honesty. It required both parties giving as well as receiving. If Magnus wished for this marriage to progress, he was going to have to open to his wife in ways he swore he never would.

But could he do it? Was it worth it? He wished he knew.

“Mother!” Diana cried out as Lady Langham appeared in the doorway.

Even growing up as the son of a duke, and close to a grandmother who often acted like a queen, it was impossible to deny how regal the viscountess was to behold. There was an elegance to her. A sense of authority that she clearly worked hard to pronounce and was largely successful at. She did not smile for her daughter. She did not become undone. A simple nod of acknowledgment was all she gave, and then she waited for the coachman to rush around the carriage and help her down.

“Daughter,” Magnus heard her say in greeting. “Thank you for inviting us to – owe!” she cried as Diana threw her arms around her mother.

From behind, Miss Evelyn Goldsmith laughed at her aunt who was trying her best to stay composed under her daughter’s enthusiastic hug. Magnus wondered if she always behaved this way, so proper and withdrawn. But then he noticed how the viscountess was watching him, and he figured that as was always the case, she was putting on airs to impress him.

He straightened up and approached the happy family.

“Lady Langham,” he crooned as he came in close. She offered a curt smile and held out her hand, which he took and gave a kiss. “It is an honor to have you as a guest today.”

“I should hope so.”

“And Miss Goldsmith.” He turned and took Diana’s cousin’s hand, giving the back of it the same treatment as he had her aunt’s. “Might I say, you look ravishing.”

Miss Goldsmith’s eyes flashed a sense of wickedness that would rival her cousins. “I am glad you think so, Your Grace. And thank you so much for inviting us to your home.”

“Think nothing of it,” he said. “Although most of the thanks should go to my dear wife. This was all her doing.”

“Oh?” the viscountess turned to her daughter. “You did not go behind your husband’s back, did you?”

“I see you know your daughter well,” he chuckled.

“Diana...” her mother groaned.

“Oh, it is fine, mother.” She waved her mother down. “And he is mostly joking,” she then added with a smirk in his direction. “We are both equally glad you could join us.”

“We almost asked if we might bring a third,” the viscountess then said with a smile directed at Miss Goldsmith. “But the last-minute nature of your invitation forbade it.”

“A third? Who?” Diana asked, looking at her cousin.

Miss Goldsmith pushed her lips together as if annoyed and turned away. “Oh, it is nothing...”

“It is not nothing,” Lady Langham said. “Much has happened these past few days, Diana. Namely, your cousin is in the midst of a courtship.”

“What!” Diana cried out, looking as excited as she was disbelieving. “Who? Evelyn, why did you not tell me!”

“I said, it is nothing...”

“It is not nothing,” the viscountess said. “Lord Herrod has been nothing but a gentleman toward Evelyn these past few days and I know that if he had the time, he would have been thrilled to --”

“Lord Herrod!” Diana cried again. “Evelyn, tell me this is a jest! Surely...”

“It is not jest,” her mother snapped. “It is very much real, and you should be supportive. I would expect nothing less from you, Diana.”

Diana was looking at her cousin with confusion. Her cousin was looking away as if embarrassed. And Magnus watched them both, sensing there was more here than what he was understanding but not willing to ask questions. After all, wasn’t the entire point that he was trying to avoid becoming too familiar?

“We may discuss it in more detail later,” Lady Langham sighed. “For now, Diana, are you going to invite us inside or have us stand out here all day in the heat?”

“Oh!” Diana gave her head a shake, eyed her cousin one more time, then put on a smile and exhaled as if to expunge the previous conversation from memory. “Of course. Mother, Evelyn...” She frowned again at her cousin, another shake of the head. “If you might join me inside, we have drinks and refreshments ready. And then, perhaps a tour.”

“Your Grace, will you not be joining us?” the viscountess asked.

“I wish I could,” Magnus said magnanimously.... even if he caught a somewhat rueful glance from Diana as he told the lie. “But duty calls, and it cannot be avoided. I wished to make sure I was here to greet you, but hosting duties fall on Diana’s shoulder’s today.”

“Oh no.”

“It is a cruel world,” Magnus agreed with a sigh. “And I promise that the next time, I will be sure to have my calendar cleared.”

Although Lady Langham was clearly surprised, she did not make a fuss, likely wishing to show that she was more than aware of how busy a duke’s schedule could be, so much so that she even expected it. Miss Goldsmith remained silent also, but that seemed more on account of this sudden courtship than anything.

So it was that Magnus took a step back and watched his wife take her mother and cousin inside. He had expected her to bid him farewell, but she resolutely ignored him as she took her mother’s arm. Was it on account of anger at his avoidance of her? Or was she simply distracted? He had no idea.

As he watched them go, Magnus sighed to himself, feeling his stomach knot with guilt because he knew he was doing the wrong thing, while also knowing that he would do nothing to change it – he wished that he could, but still he was unsure of what he wanted.

A marriage of convenience was a wonderful idea on paper but in practice it was beset by real world difficulties that would, in time, need to be addressed. For now, as Magnus had done so often in the past, he would simply avoid them by running in the opposite direction.