Unlaced At Christmas: The Christmas Duchess / Russian Winter Nights / A Shocking Proposition. Elizabeth Rolls

I am not so high and mighty that I cannot take a room there, with the rest of the common travellers.

      ‘Fleas,’ she said, in an embarrassed whisper. ‘We locals call the place the Dog’s Hind Leg. You can spot the guests in the street for the way they scratch.’

      ‘Thank you for your warning, Generva.’

      Her given name was probably meant as a reminder that they were to be on friendly terms.

      ‘You’re welcome, Thomas.’ His name escaped her lips as a hoarse croak. ‘And you are welcome here. You will take the best bed in the house for the duration of your stay.’ That was her bed, she supposed. She could share with Gwendolyn, which was probably the best. She would be there as chaperone.

      Not that a chaperone was likely needed when the potential groom had such good manners and the bride to be could not stop crying over another man.

      ‘Certainly not.’ The duke’s voice cut through the wool in her head. ‘You are thinking of displacing yourself, are you not? I will not hear of that. Any place will do. A rug by the fire, perhaps—’

      The conversation was interrupted by the creaking of the pantry door and the appearance of a single grubby hand, fumbling for another of the pies on the table.

      Generva was on her feet in a moment to seize the boy by the wrist to haul him into the room. ‘Your Grace, may I introduce my other child, Benjamin Marsh.’ She gave one quick glance to his face, relieved that there were not too many smudges upon it, and gave a half-hearted swipe with her fingers to straighten his hair, before turning him to face their guest. ‘Benjamin, offer your greetings to His Grace the Duke of Montford.’ When Benjamin seemed frozen in place, she pushed gently on his back to encourage the bow.

      The duke gave him a sombre look. ‘I have been sent by the Regent to look into the local theft of mince pies.’

      The boy shot a horrified look to the crumbling crust in his hand.

      Then the duke laughed heartily and stepped forward to take the cleaner of the two small hands. ‘I am sorry, I could not resist.’ He glanced down at Benjamin. ‘I am Tom Kanner’s uncle, come for the wedding.’ He glanced at Generva. ‘I will happily displace this boy from his bed. I suspect he deserves a night on the floor for something he has done recently.’

      ‘Fair enough.’ Generva smiled back. ‘Benjamin, go prepare your room for a guest.’

      When the boy had taken the back stairs to the first floor, they were alone again. She felt the room growing more sombre by the minute as the enormity of what was occurring came home to her. To hide her confusion, she prepared the drink that the duke had requested, setting a mug of brandy and hot water on the table beside his hand. ‘Now, about your kind offer...’

      He gave her a sad smile. ‘That was almost delivered in a tone of refusal, Mrs Marsh.’

      She thought for a moment and poured a drink for herself, returning to the bench opposite. ‘What kind of a mother would I be to accept for her with no thought at all?’ She would be a very sensible one. She could not think of a better answer to the dilemma. But somehow she could not manage the heartfelt thanks he deserved. Instead, she whispered, ‘You would do that for her? You would marry a girl you had never seen to save her from disgrace?’

      ‘It is not solely for her,’ the duke said with a sigh. ‘With each passing year, it grows more apparent that I cannot trust my title and holdings to the man who will inherit them. As much as it goes against my wishes to marry again, I must attempt it.’ At last, she noticed the little lines of strain around the smile and the creases at the corners of his eyes that had not all been caused by mirth.

      ‘You do not wish to marry, Your Grace?’ When speaking for her daughter, it would be easier to respect his title and not foster this closeness that seemed to grow so quickly between them. ‘Then why do it? And to a stranger?’ She was tempted to add that the girl he was planning to wed was much younger than he was and hardly old enough to know her own mind on the subject of love and matrimony. But she had been younger still when she had married John. He had been a good fifteen years her senior and she had been most happy in the union.

      Her prospective son-in-law was nearly the same age as her husband had been and staring mournfully into his cup. ‘I have been married twice before, Generva. Each time I have taken the time to know my bride and her family. If the matches were not the love stories of an age, I can assure you that they were sweet enough to satisfy.’ He took a drink. ‘I did not plan to lose a wife to childbirth. It hurt even more the second time.’ He took another sip, his smile totally gone. ‘There is a limit to what the human heart can endure, Mrs Marsh. I had no desire to tempt fate a third time. But it seems, if only for the sake of Montford’s future tenants, I must do something.’

      How had she not noticed what was hidden behind his earlier smiles? She knew that sorrow, for she carried it with her. It had been five years since the horrible letter arrived, explaining that she would never see her beloved again. It was like an old scar that still ached. She could not help herself, but reached out and covered the duke’s hand with her own.

      The moment she touched him, she wished that she had not. If things went as they were planning, it would not be her place to comfort him, it would be Gwendolyn’s.

      He did not seem to notice, clasping her hand in gratitude. There was a deep sigh, then his smile returned. ‘If something must be done, it is probably better that it is done quickly. And I would prefer a girl who is strong and healthy to one who is lovely but delicate. Perhaps mutual gratitude and respect will be a more enduring foundation than the tender emotions of my youth.’

      She wanted to argue that his youth was not yet gone, any more than hers was. They were not children anymore, but she had seen first fatherhood come to older men than Montford. And there were several women her age in the village still carrying babes in their bellies or their arms.

      There was a strange burning in her throat as she swallowed the words of comfort. It was probably deserved indigestion from taking brandy so early in the day. Anything else—jealousy or regret, for example—would be most unworthy of her. He might be old enough to start again. But in the years that she had been alone, no gentlemen had shown interest, nor did she expect a change in her circumstances. She must learn to accept that that part of her life was over.

      But Gwen’s life was just beginning. Generva would not be upset. She was grateful, just as a good mother should be. Now she must tell him so. ‘That is very generous of you,’ she said, trying to look as happy as she should by the offer. ‘I cannot speak for Gwendolyn, of course. But I give you my permission to speak to her on the subject. Your room will be the one at the head of the stairs. Please, go and refresh yourself. I will tell my daughter the good news.’

       Chapter Four

      As he walked up the stairs, Montford whistled a few bars of ‘The Coventry Carol’, then thought the better of it. The song was beautiful, but melancholy. If he was serious about becoming a bridegroom, he would do well to put sad thoughts aside.

      At the very least, he could learn to laugh at his own foolishness for suggesting such a thing. At his age, he should know better than to speak without thinking of the potential consequences. He had no proof that he would be able to stand the sight of the girl, much less bed her. Nor did he know if the girl would make a suitable duchess.

      Of course, he had irrefutable proof that young Tom would make a terrible Montford. He must trust that Gwendolyn took after her mother both in looks and sensibility. If she did, all would be well. The mother had hair the colour of nutmeg without a strand of grey in it, and a piquant temper, as well. After two children, her figure was still trim. Her cheeks were rosy from the cold, but their skin was smooth and unblemished. She’d have been prettier had she smiled, of course. But she’d had little reason to do so.

      All in all, she was a most handsome woman. After dinner tonight, he would offer the as-yet-unseen Mr Marsh his congratulations on his own fortunate