The Marquess's Maddening Dilemma by Ginny Hartman

Author:Ginny Hartman [Hartman, Ginny]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction
Published: 2017-10-07T23:00:00+00:00

The very next day, Aaron and Alexandra departed from Trenton Hall to Channing House with the intent of speaking with Levi about getting his permission to dissolve the betrothal agreement. Though Alexandra was nervous about what he might say, Aaron felt confident he'd approve the decision and had offered to speak with him about the details.

After their arrival, the three of them dined together before Alexandra excused herself, saying she wished to retire to bed. In all actuality, she was merely anxious for Levi and Aaron to have some time alone to speak about the matter at hand.

Both men rose as Alexandra quit the dining room then Aaron turned to Levi and said, “May I beg a moment of your time.”

Levi looked at him curiously then offered, “Let's remove ourselves to my study for port and cigars.”

“Very well.”

Once in the privacy of the Duke's study, a decanter of port on the desk between them, Levi tugged his cravat lose and tossed it haphazardly on his desk before saying, “Please tell me you didn't come to speak to me of the other night's events.”

Aaron propped one leg loosely over the other and flicked his hand in dismissal. “I've already forgotten it.”

Levi looked relieved. “And has Miss Phelps forgotten it as well?”

“That I cannot say, though I'm convinced she's willing to remain silent about such matters. It would not be in her best interest to have to wed you.”

At his words, Levi straightened. “How so? She'd be advancing her station quite splendidly if the match were to be made. A daughter of a Viscount wedding a Duke. How would that not prove advantageous?”

Aaron watched with amusement as Levi got quite worked up over the matter, as if his suggestion that it wouldn't be in Lydia's best interest to wed him truly vexed him. “Perhaps it would prove advantageous, but I doubt it would prove desirable. I'm certain that Miss Phelps, like most woman of my acquaintance,” he added, thinking of Alexandra, “would prefer to choose their own husband. Though it appeared as if she was choosing you during the moment I found you two together, I doubt very much that she wished to choose you for the reminder of her life.” When he finished, he noticed Levi's jaw was tight so he quickly added, “Would you choose her?”

Levi hesitated in his answer long enough to give Aaron pause. Perhaps he'd misjudged the situation and the intent of Levi in compromising Miss Phelps.

Levi poured himself a glass of port and quickly downed the contents before saying, “No, I'd quite prefer it if I never saw Miss Phelps again.”

His answer was so ridiculous it made Aaron doubt it's truthfulness. “As you wish.” Then, changing the subject, he asked, “Do you perchance have knowledge of the betrothal agreement between your sister and my son?”

Levi looked at him as if he were daft. “Of course I do, that is why I sent her to reside in your care.”

Aaron rolled his eyes, “Yes, I know you have knowledge of it, but do you actually know where it is?”

“As in the actual paper?”

“Yes.

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