In My Wildest Fantasies by Julianne MacLean

Author:Julianne MacLean [Julianne MacLean]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780061745072
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2007-08-26T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Devon glanced up from the paperwork on his desk when a knock sounded at his door and his mother entered his study. She wore a form-fitting gown of lavender silk, and looked as lovely as ever, though he could see from her expression that something was troubling her.

“Good morning, Devon. Do you have a moment?”

“Of course.” He invited her to sit across from him by the window. “You haven’t come to tell me I’m making the worst mistake of my life, have you?”

“No, nothing like that,” she said with a smile. “To the contrary, I am thrilled for you, as I think very highly of Lady Rebecca. Charlotte and I have been fortunate enough to become acquainted with her over the past few days, and we both admire her very much. She is lovely. I could not have chosen a better bride for you myself.”

“Not even Lady Letitia?”

His mother gave him a knowing look. “She was your father’s choice, not mine.”

“In that case, I am pleased you approve of the choice I have made.”

She folded her hands together on her lap. “You might be surprised to hear it, but regardless of Lady Letitia’s departure, your father could not be happier. He hasn’t said anything to me, of course, but I know he is proud of you, and pleased that you have taken up your rightful position here at the palace again, so soon after your return.”

He had not spoken to his father privately about his engagement. He had chosen to announce it publicly at dinner the night before. Everyone had applauded, and his father, who was seated at the head of the table, had risen and raised a glass and delivered an elegant and jovial toast. No one in a hundred years would have guessed the man was off his rocker.

Devon was simply relieved that he had not thrown a fit over Letitia.

“But I confess,” his mother continued, “that I sense you are not completely comfortable with your decision. Are you having doubts?”

He leaned back in his chair and regarded her. “Do not worry, Mother. I am a man no different from any other, and as such have earned the right to have cold feet before my wedding day. Which is being planned with incredible haste, I might add. What man wouldn’t be uneasy?”

“But you are not just any man,” she replied. “And I know you too well. It’s more than cold feet.”

He gave up trying to appease her with jokes and lighthearted assurances. “You have always known it would be this way for me, Mother. You know how I feel about marriage and love.”

“I know how you feel about your role in Vincent’s tragic attempt at marriage.”

He paused, then spoke in a low, gentle voice. “Your unhappiness has always cut my heart deeply, Mother.”

He had always known his parents’ marriage had been arranged, and later he had come to understand that she had once loved another. Though she would never speak of it.

She slowly stood up and turned away from him.

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