An American in Duke's Clothing by Mindy Burbidge Strunk

Author:Mindy Burbidge Strunk [Strunk, Mindy Burbidge]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mindy Burbidge Strunk

Chapter 16

Tad and Dawson turned onto the drive after an especially hard ride.

"Well, did it work? Have you excised the demons putting you in such a pensive mood?" Dawson's mount pushed slightly ahead. "It is obvious you are not convinced of your decision to go through with the marriage contract."

Tad leaned over, putting his forearms on the horn of the saddle. "I know it is the right thing to do. But…"

Dawson looked at him with sympathy in his eyes. "But you prefer Miss Violet to Miss Allen."

Tad remained silent. He had only just admitted to himself the extent of his feelings for Miss Violet. Her little tumble down the hill had helped him realize this. But Dawson would not understand why Tad could do nothing about them.

Dawson slowed his horse. "I don't blame you. I cannot stand to be in the same room with her. The lady is never at a loss for words. If we were home..."

Tad pulled even and held his hand up. "We are not in America, making whatever would happen there irrelevant. It matters not my feeling for Miss Violet. There is an agreement and I need to honor it." He looked Dawson in the eye. "I need your support, not your lectures, Dawson." Tad shook his head. "I just wish that Miss Allen was not so…"

"Contrived and false?" Dawson cocked a brow. "Then why not expand your options? Wouldn't Miss Violet still fulfill the agreement?"

Tad shrugged. "I do not know. We still have found no contract specifying Miss Allen as my intended. But if I abandoned her, in favor of her sister, what would it do to Miss Allen and her reputation?"

Dawson sighed. "Forget about Miss Allen and Lord Winslow, for a moment. Do you love Miss Violet? Could you be happy with her?"

The corners of Tad's mouth drooped. "Love her? How should I know if I love her? I have only known her a week."

Dawson grunted in irritation. “I see how you look at her—saw your reaction when she fell down the hillside. You have not been that scared since…."

"Yes, Dawson? Since what?" Tad snapped.

Dawson rubbed at his earlobe. "Since you watched your father fall from the hayloft. You wore the same look yesterday."

Both men fell silent.

Finally, Dawson broke stillness, his voice quiet. "It is obvious you have feelings for the lady."

"I was merely concerned…"

Dawson held up his hand, cutting off Tad's denial. "It may not be love or genuine affection, yet. But there is interest. Your brain is not the only thing you should be using, Tad. This is a matter for the heart as well."

A grin broke out on Tad's face. "Watch out, my friend. Someone might actually believe you have one."

Dawson's face colored slightly, his normal scowl deepening, but he made no more comments.

They rode into the stable yard. "Can I take him for you, Your Grace?"

One of the stable hands took the reins, leading the horse in the opposite direction. Tad and Dawson entered the house and each went their own direction—Dawson to his office and Tad to the ante-library.

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