An Artful Deceit by Newman Holly

Author:Newman, Holly
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oliver Heber Books
Published: 2022-06-28T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

A DUCHESS’S MACHINATIONS

While her grandmother rejoined her guests and the duke went off to pen his letter to his cousin, Ann made her way slowly up the carpeted stairs. She occasionally paused to look at one or another of the portraits of her relations along the staircase, but she didn’t really see them. She felt tumbled about inside as the revelation that came with the Quesinberry’s presence replayed itself.

Was the Viscount really in love with another?

She owned she could not remember meeting the viscount, though she’d been told she had as a child. And she’d honestly not held any expectations they would suit, though she’d hoped they would as it would resolve so many issues. With all that, she still found her spirits quite lowered at the knowledge that she was somehow a make-do wife prospect.

What woman would want to be a make-do? She considered that worse than second best.

And now the Duke was suggesting she marry him instead in what she was certain was also a make-do wife prospect. He knew she wanted to marry in order to encourage her stepmother to do the same, and she was counting on Viscount Redinger to be her husband. It would be convenient for all.

But if the Viscount truly loved Julia Quesinberry, he should marry the woman he loved, not her. He would be miserable and, therefore, so would she. She was already miserable.

And here was the Duke, one of the most courteous men that she had ever met, being quite gentlemanly and saving face for both his cousin and her. No, it would not do. Besides, no doubt the family had expectations of who should be his wife. He could look much higher than a mere Miss Hallowell.

But how had Redinger lost Miss Quesinberry? That is what she wanted to know.

Perhaps a kind visit and sympathetic ear would help Miss Quesinberry—and herself.

She found herself staring absently at the portrait of her great-aunt Victoria Nowlton with her frowning countenance. It was like she was frowning directly at her. Family stories said she’d been a spinster and shunted from family member to family member. No wonder she frowned. Poor woman, Ann thought. She did not want to end up like her. She sighed. With her trick knee that prevented her from dancing, and the scar on her chin marring her image, she was not a woman that men sought out. Her dowry was modest, but at least she had a dowry. Unfortunately, it was not enough for her to live on if she did not marry.

Still, to marry the Duke? She smiled to herself as she resumed her slow climb up the stairs. He was a delightful man. His humor matched her own. It was a great deal too bad he had to go and inherit the dukedom. She could have been quite happy as an artist’s wife.

What was she thinking? She needed to rein in her thoughts.

She went down the hall of the first floor to the west wing. They would have their rooms there.

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