Page 8 of The Wise Daughter

For the second time that night, Nora froze. Had she heard the duke correctly? Perhaps it was only the effect of her wet clothes, but she couldn’t move her hands or feet. She couldn’t move her tongue to speak or even shake her head.

“You accept?” her father repeated.

“I accept.” There was hardly any feeling at all behind the duke’s words. “Mr. Lacy, would you please step outside while I officially propose to Miss Lacy and hear what she has to say?”

Was it to be in that order? She would have to face his official proposal? Alone with him? And worse, give an answer? Stretching some feeling back into her hands, Nora pressed her fingers to her temples as another wave of dizziness washed over her.

Nora was only vaguely aware of her father leaving, but she looked over her shoulder in time to see him pleading with his eyes for her to accept the duke.

Why did she have to look at her father just then?

It shouldn’t have made a difference, having maneuvered her way out of other proposals in the past, but this was different.

This time, she didn’t know where she would go if the duke turned them away.

She didn’t know where she would sleep or what would become of her father.

Would he ever forgive her if she declined an opportunity to become a duchess?

The door closed with a sharp click.

“Miss Lacy, I believe now is the perfect moment to hear your thoughts on the matter.”

She realized, in all the excitement with the injured man –the duke– at the bridge, she had forgotten about her intention to beg to be a servant. Nothing had quite prepared her for the humiliation of the moment, but before she could change her mind, she dropped to her knees.

“I am honored, Your Grace, that you would even consider marriage, but surely, it would be more fitting to appoint me as a servant in your household. I only beg a little kindness and mercy. My father has yet to understand the lowly station our circumstances have reduced us to.”

The duke was silent for several seconds. “Do you not think yourself worthy to be my bride?” He spoke evenly, no hints of tenderness or affection.

He didn’t know her, not really. He had no reason to want her, but still, his question rattled her.

“I esteem myself worthy to be the wife of anyone I choose.”

“Miss Lacy, I wish you would stand and look at me. I can’t speak of marriage when you’re kneeling on the floor.”

“But I’m covered in–”

“Mud. Yes, I am aware. You’re tracking it in.”

“How charming of you to notice.” She may have been kneeling before him, but her pride was still prowling inside her.

“Here, I should have offered you this earlier.” She felt him place his coat over her shoulders.

The warmth it gave was instant. “I’ve noticed many things about you, Miss Lacy.

Please stand.” He reached down and took her hand, never flinching at the chill in her fingers or the grittiness on her skin.

Nora had no choice but to accept his help. His hand, warm and strong, fastened fast around hers, a steady anchor as she pulled herself up and forced herself to look into his face, just as he looked into hers.

“Your eyes are green.” She pinched her lips together and shut her eyes.

It was the stupidest thing she could have said.

Oh, this was all wrong! Her father wasn’t supposed to be successful in his request, and that handsome stranger wasn’t supposed to be the duke!

“I don’t understand, Your Grace. Why are you doing this? ”

“Because your father was right. I am in need of a wife.”

“But why me, why now when we have only just met? You cannot be motivated by affection.”

“Are you so certain?” He looked away, scratching the back of his head as if he were embarrassed. “Ever since my father died, my life has become a great deal more complicated.”

“I’ve gathered that much, Your Grace.” She hugged his coat to herself and inched closer to the crackling fire.

“I must keep everything that happened earlier tonight a secret. Can I trust you?”

She didn’t know how she felt about being taken into his confidence so quickly, but how could she say no?

“Of course.”

He nodded as if satisfied. “For the past three months, someone has been stealing from the castle. Usually, something small in size but great in value is taken. No one ever sees anything. So earlier tonight, I decided to watch the roads and paths myself. I escaped the castle unseen and followed a suspicious looking man to the edge of the woods. When you found me, I had been beaten by four men, who I assure you, only bested me because they all came at me at once. I intend to discover who these criminals are and see them brought to justice.”

The swelling at his temple and the scratch in his hairline suddenly looked worse. “But who would dare touch you? You’re the duke.”

“I haven’t lived in Ravenglass since I was a child. The men didn’t know who I was. In fact, hardly anyone knows who I am.”

Nora assumed he was speaking metaphorically.

How many people could truly claim to know the heart of the mysterious Duke of Ravenglass?

But then she remembered the rumors she had heard while traveling.

Had any of the tales and descriptions the people repeated fit the man before her?

Hadn’t she concluded the same thing, that the people did not know him?

“The truth is, Miss Lacy, and I’m ashamed to admit it, I’ve been keeping myself hidden within the castle.

I hardly go anywhere. Beyond a few trusted servants, I speak to no one.

I’m seen by no one. Carver takes care of most business.

With all my responsibilities distributed between him and my solicitor, I have hardly anything to do.

Carver convinced me it was for my own protection, but–”

“It gives the thieves more power.”

“Exactly. You came to the obvious conclusion much quicker than I did.” The corner of his lips rose again. “I’ve made a significant error in judgment. I fear the thieves have been emboldened by my absence, and I wish to right the situation by making myself known to the people.”

Nora still didn’t understand what any of this had to do with marriage. “If you want to know the people, Your Grace, why not simply visit them?”

“It should be a simple matter. Yet, it isn’t.

You must understand. Carver was my late father’s steward and trusted friend.

In my father’s final letter, he urged me to heed Carver’s advice as I learned my responsibilities, which are far greater than I ever would have expected.

Out of respect for my father, I cannot completely dismiss Carver’s counsel, nor could I have done so without neglecting some portion of my dukedom.

I’ve relied on him a great deal, but I’ve also learned a great deal.

Over the past few months we’ve settled into a routine with expectations, which I have found difficult to break out of, but if I were engaged to be married… ”

“You would have a strong reason to be among the people, introducing your–” She swallowed– “bride-to-be, regardless of what your steward advises.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

“And you would have a genuine need to reorganize the manner in which your household is run.”

“Yes.”

So, he didn’t want a wife. He wanted an excuse to put his steward in his place. Perhaps he was a coward after all. Nora stiffened under her wet things. “Instead of a bride, maybe you need only a reminder that you already have the authority to overrule your steward.”

“That may be true.” He moved toward her slowly, almost as if he were nervous, and took her hand again. “But what if I am offering you my hand because I also think it will lead to my happiness?”

She pulled her hand out of his grasp. “Is that what you are doing? Thinking of your happiness?” His eyes were too intense.

She had to look away. She wasn’t ready for this.

Her feet ached. Her stomach rumbled, and she was wet and cold even with his coat on.

How could any lady consider a marriage proposal under such circumstances?

“I should also mention one other matter. There is a provision in my father’s will that places guardianship over my inheritance in the hands of my scrupulous solicitor until I either reach the age of thirty, which is five years away, or until I marry.”

“Ah, so that is the real reason for this proposal.” Already, her mind was weaving theories as to why his father felt such a provision was necessary.

“I hope to convince you that isn’t how I view this. Among priorities, it is the lesser of my reasons for wanting to marry. I forget the provision is there half the time. It’s merely a formality when I use my funds, but I mention it so you know you will be doing me this small service as well.”

“How straightforward of you.” Her lower lip began to tremble. How had such a decision come upon her? The weight of it all blew in like a cold wind, shaking her in a sudden, fierce shiver.

“Miss Lacy, you’re freezing. I’m a fool, aren’t I?” The duke ran his fingers through his hair and clenched a fistful as he released a sigh. “You’re tired and must be in want of refreshment, and I haven’t even invited you to sit.”

Nora looked at the fine furniture and tugged his coat tighter around herself. “I don’t wish to sully anything. What I really want is a chance to clean myself and rest.”

“I assure you, the chairs are nothing to your comfort. I’m sorry to be such a miserable host, but I had hoped to settle this momentous decision tonight. I know my proposal isn’t very romantic.”

“Hardly.”

Did he see her roll her eyes this time? When would he pause to consider her happiness? As if accepting a challenge, he inhaled deeply, fixing his face with a resolute determination, and took both her hands.