Gambling on the Duke's Daughter by Diana Bold

Author:Diana Bold
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: 0
Published: 2018-09-15T05:00:00+00:00

* * *

“Oh, Clarice. It’s starting already.” Natalia reread Dylan’s brief note for the tenth time, then crumpled the fine parchment into a tiny ball and tossed it into the fireplace.

She felt only a tiny spark of satisfaction as she watched the paper burn to ashes.

The two women waited in Natalia’s bedchamber for the overworked seamstress to arrive. Madame Toussaint had promised to have Natalia’s wedding gown done on time; her people were working on it around the clock and charging the duke an exorbitant fee.

“What’s starting already?” Clarice didn’t seem the least bit upset by the fact that Dylan hadn’t shown up for dinner this evening.

“Dylan. We’re not even married yet, and he’s already finding excuses to avoid me.” Natalia flung herself into the nearest chair. At first, she’d been hurt, but she’d quickly moved beyond that paltry emotion. Fury consumed her now.

“Who’s avoiding whom?” Clarice shook her head. “When he’s here, you make every effort to ignore him. I know there are things he wants to say to you, but you’ve done your best to ensure the two of you are never alone.”

Natalia felt heat rise up in her cheeks. Clarice was right, but that didn’t excuse Dylan’s behavior tonight. “I’m not trying to avoid him; I just don’t know what to say when we’re together.”

“You could start by forgiving him. Perhaps he’d want to spend more time with you if you gave him the least little bit of encouragement.”

“I’m afraid to forgive him,” Natalia admitted. “Because once I do, once I let myself start caring for him again, he’s bound to break my heart. What he’s done tonight proves it.”

“What has he done, darling?” Clarice seemed honestly confused. “The fact that he didn’t come for dinner doesn’t prove anything, as far as I’m concerned.”

“Don’t be absurd. We both know he’s gone to visit one of his actresses.” There. She’d said it. Her worst fear.

Clarice gave her a sympathetic glance. “Perhaps he has. And even if he hasn’t, it’s likely someday he will. Most men of our class keep mistresses. I’m sure your father does. But you can’t think about that. Not if you want anything resembling a happy marriage.”

Natalia blinked away a film of threatening tears. “I can’t bear to think of him touching anyone but me. If I’m going to be his wife, I want to be his entire world.”

“That’s what every woman wants,” Clarice whispered. “But very few of us ever get it.”

They sat there, lost in their own miserable thoughts, for several endless minutes. Devastated by the picture Clarice painted of marriage, Natalia’s eyes welled with tears. Was there no hope then? Was she destined to spend the rest her life watching Dylan flit from woman to woman?

“Oh, Natalia. Don’t cry.” Clarice gave a shaky laugh. “Just because my marriage is unhappy doesn’t mean yours will be, too. I’m far too pessimistic about the whole matter. Besides, I’ve seen the way that man looks at you. If any woman on earth has a chance at keeping her husband at her side, it’s you.

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