Page 19 of From Unwanted to Duchess
CHAPTER 7
Frances
After the play was finished, Frances followed the rest of the family out. Marianne appeared at her side and looped her arm through hers, while her sisters walked behind them and the Duke walked with Aunt Eugenia.
“So, you and His Grace,” Marianne started. “What was that about?”
Frances felt her cheeks flush. “There is nothing to tell. He is an impossible man—conceited and high in the instep. He reminds me of a character from a novel I read recently. I cannot remember what it was called. The author was listed as ‘A Lady,’ and this young gentleman’s daughter met this most insufferable northern man…”
“Mr. Darcy,” Marianne supplied with a knowing smile. “I read the book—Pride and Prejudice. I suppose, on first appearance,he is not unlike Mr. Darcy. But I assure you, he is a good man. He has suffered much tragedy.”
Frances looked over her shoulder at the Duke, who was chatting amiably with her aunt.
“I heard something about his family that made me think there was something unpleasant there,” she admitted, remembering what he’d said in the carriage.
“Yes,” Marianne said quietly. “And his brother. They both died in quick succession. Rather tragic. His brother…” She lowered her voice. “He was involved in a duel over a woman. It was rather unfortunate, and at the time, all of London was talking about it.”
“A duel?” Frances frowned. “Aren’t those illegal?”
“Yes, they are. James’s brother, Marcus, had been courting a lady for quite some time, but she then decided that she would rather bestow her affection on another gentleman. Marcus challenged him to a duel and lost his life. He was shot. At first, it looked most severe. However, he died the next day. The young lady—I forget her name—married the other gentleman and lives happily, while Marcus rots in the ground. There was going to be a trial, but in the end, the other gentleman was never punished. The shock of losing a son was too much for the former Duke, and he died of apoplexy a few months later.”
“Goodness, that is tragic,” Frances breathed.
“Yes, and it changed James completely. He used to be such a happy boy—always laughing, always witty and ready to jest. But after that, he changed. He became withdrawn and Friday-faced, and his attitude toward love…” Marianne rolled her eyes.
“What do you mean?” Frances asked, suddenly intrigued.
She did find it rather odd that a man of twenty-nine was not yet married, when most lords had already sired heirs by then.
“Because his brother died in a duel over a woman, James has decided that love brings nothing but heartache and pain—that it makes men foolish. Thus, he has decided to avoid courtship and marriage. He is entirely uninterested in romance.” Marianne paused meaningfully. “Although he seems rather interested in you.”
They walked down the spiral staircase into the lobby.
“Faith! There is nothing between the two of us. He vexes me, and I vex him.”
“Oh yes, but Evelyn and her husband used to vex each other all the time, and now look at them. Well, you haven’t met Nathaniel yet, but the two of them are the picture of happiness.”
“Well, I cannot wait for him to return to his home, and I am sure he will be happy to see the back of me as well.”
“If you insist,” Marianne said as they stepped outside into the cool night air. “Well, there is our carriage. Let me bid you farewell, but please, you must come for tea soon. I cannot wait to introduce you to Henry, my stepson.”
“Of course,” Frances said, and hugged her cousin warmly.
In short order, Charlotte and Evelyn also hugged her, and then the three sisters piled into their carriage and departed.
Theirs had been at the very front of the line, but Aunt Eugenia’s carriage was several back. The three of them made their way there and climbed in.
“How did you enjoy the play, dear?” Aunt Eugenia asked.
“It was entertaining,” Frances replied.
“I must say, I enjoyed the quiet in our box,” Aunt Eugenia said with a knowing smile. “I feared the two of you would be terrible chatterboxes. I didn’t think you would ever stop talking.”
“We were discussing an interesting topic,” the Duke chimed in.
Frances smiled slightly as their eyes met. But then she remembered Marianne’s teasing words and quickly looked away. She could not have soft feelings for this man. Absolutely not.
He thinks of you as nothing but a foolish country girl. Do not make a cake of yourself by starting to moon over him just because he has a tragic story. That doesn’t mean he is suddenly a good person.
