Lady Vivian Defies a Duke - By Samantha Grace Page 0,16

alone,” she said in a rush. “You must have several homes where I could choose to reside. I would want our children to live with me, of course, at least until our son is old enough to attend school. Young children need a mother’s love. I vow I would be no trouble for you. Could we have an understanding, Your Grace?”

She appeared to be holding her breath as she awaited his answer.

His shoulders sagged; weariness invaded his body and spirits. She spoke of a future not meant for either of them. “Do you truly wish to live alone in the country?”

Her hopeful light faded and she turned her face away from him. “I could adjust my expectations.”

Yet, she shouldn’t have to compromise on what she wanted. She was young and beautiful. She would have her choice of gentlemen in London. He had assumed the lady hadn’t been given a Season because she was shy, but clearly he had been mistaken. Why did her brother keep her hidden away?

He cleared his throat, hating that he must disappoint her. “I’m certain you would make a lovely wife. Unfortunately, I am not the husband you seek. Please tell me you will speak with your brother.”

She looked out over the water, her jaw hardening. “I am sorry to disappoint you, but I won’t ask my brother to release you. If you, on the other hand, choose to cry off after having made my acquaintance, I won’t hold a grudge. For long.”

Luke gritted his teeth. Why must she be this stubborn? “Your brother said you were amiable,” he grumbled.

“He has been known to stretch the truth, Your Grace.”

Dear Lady Vivian,

Please know I am praying for a speedy recovery on your behalf. No need to fret that I might take my leave before we have had an opportunity to further our discussion. I will remain at Brighthurst as long as necessary.

Best wishes,

Foxhaven

Six

Vivi had been avoiding Foxhaven for three days, pretending to have caught Patrice’s chill and taking to her bed. When he had asked for an audience again yesterday, she had been too pretend-ill to grant his request, of course. His written reply today made her truly sick.

Sugar biscuits! She couldn’t hide forever, even if that was what cowards did. And Vivi was a coward to be sure. A restless, bored-out-of-her-wits one. Unable to tolerate another minute of staring at her ceiling, she tossed the covers aside and rang for her maid.

Winnie didn’t keep her waiting long. “You’re up at last.”

“I made a miraculous recovery a minute ago. I suppose I should join Foxhaven and Patrice for dinner.”

“Lady Brighthurst will be pleased, no doubt.” Her maid ducked her head as she set to her task, but not before Vivi saw her smile.

Once she was dressed and Winnie was satisfied with her toilette, Vivi made her way to the family dining room. Foxhaven’s and Patrice’s voices carried into the corridor as she approached, their words indistinct, but tone friendly. It appeared the duke hadn’t yet announced he wouldn’t marry Vivi. Thoughts of the scene that awaited her made her stomach flip-flop. She hesitated outside the doorway.

Why couldn’t the duke have saved her the indignity of being rejected in person? A letter would have sufficed. He obviously knew how to put quill to foolscap.

Vivi sighed. When Ash paid her a call in the near future, he would blister her ears so well they might never heal.

“I wish Vivi could join us, but she is quite ill.” Patrice spoke haltingly as if it required effort to uphold her part of the conversation. “I am afraid you’ll have naught but my companionship this evening.”

Guilt sank its teeth into Vivi and gnawed. How could she have considered leaving her cousin to entertain the duke alone? She hadn’t been thinking of her kinswoman at all.

Plastering on a bright smile, she swept into the room. “Here I am. I apologize for my lateness.”

Patrice startled. “Vivi, I thought you were still sick.”

“I woke this afternoon feeling back to my old self.” Moving to Patrice’s side, she placed a kiss on her sallow cheek. Bluish half circles under her cousin’s eyes made her appear as if she’d lost a round of fisticuffs. Her illness had battered but thankfully not beaten her. Vivi hoped the duke’s revelation wouldn’t send her cousin back to her bed.

She curtsied. “Your Grace.”

“Lady Vivian, what a delightful surprise.” He bestowed a charming smile upon her. “How lovely to see you again.”

Vivi didn’t know whether to admire his jolly nature or be