Mistress of Two Fortunes and a Duke by Tessa Candle

Author:Tessa Candle [Candle, Tessa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-77265-015-0
Publisher: Winding Path Books
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 34

Rutherford sipped his tea happily as the duke spoke to Tilly about her connections to see if they had any common acquaintance. The presence of Mrs. Colling was clearly helping his situation. He could see that, however composed she kept her features, Tilly hated the sight of her, and that was a very good sign, indeed.

Mrs. Colling also seemed highly apprehensive, however, and that concerned Rutherford. He did not flatter himself that it could be jealousy of Tilly. The pretty widow had only recently stopped showing a marked distaste for Rutherford's company—well not distaste, precisely. It was, rather, a sort of mocking dismissiveness, as though he were merely another young puppy and not to be taken seriously.

As loathe as he was to admit it, this acted on Rutherford much more effectively than flirtation would have done. It made him want to impress upon her that he was no puppy. But the only real way to do this was to behave indifferently toward her, which, to his irritation, appeared to suit her very well.

She was no Tilly, but she was fascinating. He could not suppress his curiosity about the real story behind the veil. Had she murdered her husband? Was she a misanthrope? Was she truly a fortune hunter with her sights on a rich duke?

His ear pricked up to an item of chit-chat between Tilly and Bartholmer. The duke had asked her about her upcoming wedding. Rutherford gritted his teeth.

“It is in two weeks, your grace.” Tilly replied in such a demure, maidenly fashion that Rutherford could have laughed aloud at the fraudulence of it. But the substance of her words shot a pain through his heart, and the dull ache in his shoulder flared up.

“Well, then,” said Bartholmer with a piercing look and a mischievous smile, not unlike that which Tilly's lips so frequently wore, “it is quite a wonder that you should be out here in the wilderness visiting Rutherford. He is very fortunate to have such a dedicated friend.”

“It is I who am lucky,” said Tilly, and all trace of dissembling left her features. “I do not know a finer person than Mr. Rutherford.”

“Except, of course,” corrected the Duke with a provoking smile, “your betrothed.”

“Neither of us is deceived about our marriage, your grace. We do not wed for romantic reasons. Though I hold him in high esteem and great respect, and he is a very dear friend, I should not put even my betrothed above Mr. Rutherford.”

Rutherford coughed. He wanted to cry out to her, Then why don't you just ruddy well marry me? But he could not. His shoulder throbbed, and a cold sweat ran down his back. He could feel a spell of tremors about to take him. “I hope you will all excuse me a moment.” He dashed from the parlour.

When he had composed himself and taken his quarter dose of laudanum, he returned to the parlour, took a breath and opened the door. But in that very moment, Mrs. Colling ran from the room and directly into his arms.

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