Page 21 of The Governess Teaches A Duke (Wayward Dukes’ Alliance #34)
Chapter Twenty
C lara had made him very proud with her musical performance, and he continued to be impressed with the progress Maribel was making with his child.
She had played beautifully, eaten her meal with pristine manners, and left to retire without a tantrum.
Even Marcus was shocked, having known how Clara could be, and he lavished praise on Maribel’s talents as a governess.
Thomas had forgotten how annoyingly charming Marcus was. The dashing rogue had arrived unannounced under the guise of wanting to check in on his friend. Bah, more so that he was awash in curiosity to set eyes upon the woman who had tied me up in knots .
“Why are you here, Marcus?” Those were the first words he had spoken to his friend when he had suddenly appeared in his drawing room.
“Is that any way to greet a friend?”
“Depends on my friend’s motives as to why he has made the laborious trip from London.”
“Well, besides my genuine need to ensure your wellbeing, I will also admit that—given the twists and turns this woman had you in—I had to see her with my own eyes.”
Thomas scowled and stood, waving a clenched fist in the air at his oldest and closest friend.
“She is not for you, Marcus. She is mine and mine alone.”
“So, you bedded her?” Oh, how Thomas wanted to strike the smug look from his face.
“That is none of your business.”
“Oh, really now? Since when do we not divulge to one another our dalliances?”
“She is not a dalliance!”
“She is at least twenty years your junior—what else could she be?”
Thomas was ready to spew a barrage of insults at his friend when he saw the twinkle in his eye. Marcus was baiting him. And he had fallen for it like the dolt he was.
“So, you are here to observe my descent into madness?”
“I guess love is a kind of madness.”
“Love?” The word sounded foreign but was also a word that encompassed all the emotion building up inside him.
“How else can you explain it?”
The simple way Marcus spoke did not simplify his feelings. His heart was beating alarmingly fast, and a sweat had broken out on his palms.
How can I be in love with Maribel? Miss Lewisham, the governess?
“My brain is a mire! I cannot think!”
“Calm yourself, my friend, calm. Why don’t you arrange for a scrumptious meal where you, Maribel, and I can get acquainted, and let me see if I can help you make sense of the situation?”
* * *
The lilt of Maribel’s laugh broke through his reverie, and he glared at the pair who had warmed to one another instantly. Jealousy, a feeling previously as uncommon to him as love, now lurked in the pit of his stomach.
“You must have read more books than anyone else I have met, Miss Lewisham. It is no wonder you are drawn to teaching. How much knowledge you have to impart on the blank canvas that is youth.”
Thomas watched her blush that pretty shade of rose he had come to adore because of the compliment paid by Marcus. It sickened him.
“If you two are done with your fawning, I would remind you both that I am also here.”
Now he felt sickened by the petulance in his voice. He sounded worse than Clara on her worst day.
“I apologise, Your Grace.” Maribel spoke politely, but her eyes shot daggers at him. Marcus, on the other hand, was trying to stifle a laugh.
They had been drinking port, except while Marcus had been taking mouthfuls, Maribel had been taking tiny sips. She always kept control of herself except in the throes of passion, which only he was now privy too. She still seemed vexed by him, and she narrowed her eyes in reprimand.
“Forgive me, Your Graces, I fear I must retire. I am overcome with tiredness. And I am sure you two have much to catch up on.”
They bid her goodnight, and Thomas had no way to ask her to wait for him in his bed, so it appeared he would sleep alone tonight.
Turning to a gloating Marcus, he scowled.
“Explain yourself.”
“I had to see that fine specimen of a woman for myself. You had left me so intrigued with your letter, your visit. I was worried she was some kind of charlatan intending to deceive you. I can see now that Maribel is a sweet woman—intelligent and a worthy opponent to challenge your flaws.”
“Is that why you spent the evening flirting with her, you reprobate?”
“Ah, my friend, I did that purely for the joy of seeing your displeasure. Jealousy does not become you.”
Still scowling, Thomas poured them another glass.
“Your timing is just very inconvenient. I am trying to determine how to navigate our situation. She has captured my very essence, and it is a feeling like no other. I want to be a good man—a man that’s worthy of her.”
“That is admirable, Thomas, but with all respect when I say this,—where can this go? She has no title, no land or money. A mistress or a companion is all I can see for her in your life.”
“Where does it state that a duke cannot marry anyone he chooses?” he shot back hotly.
“It is not a written rule, but an unspoken one in our world. You know this, Thomas. And I quite like her, so believe me when I say it is a shame. You have much to consider and no need to make a decision now.”
“You are correct. All that matters now is the now. And with that, I am also going to retire after this port. I believe I have had the perfect amount to allow me to sleep without agonising over the reality you just shared.”