If the Duke Dares by Darcy Burke

Author:Darcy Burke [Burke, Darcy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781637261354
Publisher: Zealous Quill Press

Chapter 13

As soon as Acton disappeared down the stairs, Aunt Lucinda steered Persephone back into the drawing room. “How did things go with Wellesbourne?”

Persephone had been surprised and even annoyed that he’d called when she’d specifically asked him not to. However, after hearing that he’d thought she was the one Bane had compromised and seeing his outrage, she couldn’t help but feel flattered. Or perhaps something more than that—the butterfly from the coach had reappeared in her belly.

Then, when he’d learned it was Pandora who was suffering, his desire to help hadn’t lessened. He was even willing to pretend to court Persephone to elevate Pandora’s standing.

Hopefully, that would work.

If not, Persephone and Pandora would leave Bath as soon as possible.

“Persey? Did he upset you?” Aunt Lucinda prodded as she sat down in her favorite chair.

Realizing she’d been chasing her thoughts about Acton, Persephone shook her head, both in response and to drive a certain rogue from her mind. She lowered herself to a settee near her aunt. “Not at all. We, ah, discussed the weather and Bath. He hasn’t spent much time here.”

“That’s right. His mother lives here. Or lived—I understand she spends a great deal of time at the dowager house at his estate now.”

“Do you know the dowager?” Persephone asked.

“Not as well as your mother, but yes, we have been friendly over the years.”

She was curious about his mother. “It’s sad that the duchess and his sisters lived separately from him and his father.”

“I don’t know if it’s sad or not. The duchess always seemed in good spirits. She’s been a prominent member of Bath Society, and her daughters made excellent marriages. I imagine the duke played some role in the background. It’s not as if they were completely unfriendly. For as long as the duke was alive, the duchess went to London to oversee the annual ball at Wellesbourne House.”

“That seems so strange to me,” Persey mused. “To live separate lives, but come together for a social event. What of holidays or special occasions?”

Aunt Lucinda shrugged. “Their marriage was arranged, I believe, and it may be that they didn’t particularly suit. They made the best of it. I would advise you not to do that if you can help it. Marry someone with whom you look forward to spending your life.”

“Someone I love?”

“That would be ideal, but sometimes love is difficult to attain. And hold.” She smiled faintly. “I think Hal and I loved each other at the start,” she said, referring to her late husband. “But it didn’t last. We respected and enjoyed each other, though, and I do think that’s more than most have.”

Persey barely remembered her Uncle Hal. He’d died when she was eight. “I don’t know that I’ll have to worry about any of that,” she said wryly.

“Why would you say such a thing? Just because the right man hasn’t crossed your path yet doesn’t mean he won’t.”

Acton had literally stepped into her path. Or she’d stepped into his. But that was the second time they’d met, when she’d run into him on the street.

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