The Misguided Miss Mary by Maggie Dallen

Author:Maggie Dallen
Language: eng
Format: epub

10

Paul knew three things by the time the ball ended.

One, he was engaged.

Two, his bride-to-be seemed intent on avoiding him. Perhaps she’d thought that if she were not seen anywhere near him for the duration of the ball, the duke might forget what he’d seen?

And three…

Paul scrubbed a weary hand over his eyes as he sank back in the carriage seat across from his mother.

Three, he was engaged.

Yes, it was the same point as the first, but it was so very shocking, he’d forgotten what that third fact was.

“Did you enjoy yourself this evening, Paul?” his mother asked.

“Indeed.” He forced a smile. His mother was a kind woman. Gentle and forgiving where his father was not. What would she say if he told her right here and now what had happened?

He winced at the thought.

But he’d have to tell someone sometime. No amount of avoiding the issue was going to magically make that moment disappear. And while he was not a close acquaintance with the Duke of Clemens, he knew enough to know that he would not sit by idly if he believed a gently bred young lady had been compromised in some way.

He scrubbed at his eyes again as if that might help to relieve the tension building there.

He wasn’t upset. Not as upset as he should have been…or would have been if he hadn’t already committed to the idea of being wed by the end of this season. He’d even had Mary in mind not so long ago.

But that, of course, was before she’d rejected him. What was it she’d said? Oh yes. She’d rather wed a river troll.

“Paul?” His mother’s voice cut into his thoughts and he realized with a start that he’d been glaring out the window while his mother had been telling him about her evening.

“Apologies, Mother. I’ve been…distracted.”

Her smile was knowing. “I’ve realized that. Is there anything wrong?”

He shook his head. I’m engaged now, that’s all. And to a woman who’d rather marry a river troll. Nothing to be concerned about.

“I suppose you’re feeling the absence of Lord Thomas,” she said.

He gave an honest snort of amusement. “I am at that.”

Thomas would know what to do right now. At the very least, he wouldn’t judge him for his idiocy. He couldn’t after the foolish way he’d acted when he’d first met Charlotte.

His mother grinned “You’ll find that soon enough all of your schoolmates will be married and settled, and no longer able to spend their evenings having a laugh with you.”

His smile felt awkward. Is that how even his mother saw him? As some irresponsible, carefree gentleman who was incapable of growing up?

Perhaps he was. Or had been. But he was more than that and it irked that no one seemed to realize it.

Frustration knotted in his gut.

No, it irked him that one person in particular failed to realize it. Mary’s shock that he’d stepped up and saved her hide might have been comical if it hadn’t been so…so…insulting.

“You seem troubled this evening, Paul. Is there anything I can do to help?” His mother’s expression was so hopeful.

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