Page 32 of The Duchess Audition

“Is everything well?” Doctor Leonard Stanforth, asked as Anthony marched down the street.

The doctor and Anthony had become good friends since meeting during Malcolm’s bout of amnesia two or so years ago. And the fellow just happened to be in London to present his research on said amnesia, instead of his beloved Edinburgh.

“Everything is fine,” Anthony replied tersely.

Leonard had to run to keep up with him. “Are you certain? Did something happen in there?”

“It is nothing.”

Anthony’s hands were gripped into fists, annoyance prickling in his veins. He could not understand why his grandmother had not stepped in, though it was clear that Marina had been in some distress. Then again, was Marina not a grown woman? Surely, she could fight her own battles.

Then why did I involve myself?

He shook his head to try and dispel the thought. Clearly, he had done it out of gratitude, repayment for the services Marina had given on the day that William took ill. A delivery of cough syrup, made by her own hands, had even arrived just before he left the house to come into the city proper.

She had not stopped tending to William, even though she had not been back to the townhouse.

“Is it the wedding?” Leonard pressed. “There is no shame in being nervous, Anthony.”

Anthony shot him a look. “Nervous? Hardly. I cannot wait to be done with the entire thing so that I can retire to the country again. I may even follow Malcolm back up to Scotland, to spend a few weeks hunting. A few of the Eton bunch have been pestering me about our yearly excursion; I might finally have a moment to arrange it.”

A frown nudged Leonard’s bushy eyebrows together. “Will you not be partaking in your honeymoon? Is your bride a great lover of the hunt?”

“What?”

“The honeymoon,” Leonard replied in a confused tone, as if it should have been obvious. “You know, the month you spend with your wife after the wedding. A hunting party in Scotland with old friends is hardly the place for that. I imagine Malcolm will tell you the same thing. Octavia will certainly prohibit it.”

Anthony stopped in the shade of a milliner’s awning and stared at his friend. “What would we need a honeymoon for? I doubt my bride will want one.”

“It isn’t about want, but expectation,” Leonard said, catching his breath. “You have a duty to spend a month with her.”

“Yes, but for what purpose?” Anthony lowered his voice. “This is just a marriage of convenience. There will be no children. We do not need to get to know one another.”

A strange, almost disappointed look fell across the doctor’s face. “Even a marriage of convenience requires civility. You should get to know her, especially as she will be helping to raise your son.” He paused. “Not to mention, she will be in an unfamiliar house, in unfamiliar circumstances. It would be courteous of you to help her settle into her new existence.”

Anthony knew when he was being chided, and he did not care for it.

“With respect, Stanforth, you do not know Miss Longman,” he said firmly. “She is not the usual kind of lady. She would probably be glad of my absence if I left, so she could dedicate more of her time to her studies.”

Leonard shrugged. “You should at least discuss it with her. But what do I know? I do not have a wife and am, myself, guilty of dedicating all of my time to my work.” He hesitated. “By the way, do you happen to have any of that tonic left? I should like to study it.”

“They are her recipes,” Anthony said, relaxing. “I will not give them to you.”

“That’s fair.” Leonard looked a little chagrined. “Quite remarkable, though.”

“The tonic? It truly is.”

The doctor smiled. “No, Anthony, I meant your bride. I know that you English, and even some of us Scottish, think a lady should be confined to her proper sphere of duties and not put a toe outside it, but I cannot think of anything more… invigorating than a wife with such keen interests. A wife I could talk to for hours about medicine. A wife whose opinion I could ask for my research. You are very lucky.”

“Should I call off the engagement and introduce you?” Anthony quipped, though there was no mirth in his voice.

He had already decided that Marina was his. Even if it was just a marriage of convenience, he was not about to let anyone else woo her into a different arrangement.

Leonard laughed. “Not at all. I think marriage will suit you, and I am very much looking forward to meeting your bride. I shall have a lot to discuss with her.”

“When did you say you were returning to Edinburgh?” Anthony said, forcing a small smile.

The doctor waved a dismissive hand. “My good man, I would not miss your wedding for anything.” He paused, turning serious for a moment. “But do think about the honeymoon. There is enough gossip spreading without you abandoning your wife right after the wedding.”