The duke laughed as he rejoined them. “Is she not delightfully direct?”
“Indeed,” William agreed. He stood stiffly now, as if he was annoyed by the interruption.
If she failed to please her husband, and she was positive she would at some point, would she be punished for it? And why did the idea of it not terrify her more?
“What is your answer, Miss Winslow?”
She blinked. “To what?”
His jaw tensed and then he bit out, “Will. You. Marry. Me?”
“Oh,” she whispered. He was proposing with such bad grace. His attitude amused her. This was exactly how she’d picture the gruff captain proposing to anyone. She cast a quick glance at the Duke of Rutherford and saw his curt nod. Rather than risk aggravating the captain further, Matilda dipped her chin, sealing her reputation as a woman who’d tricked her employer into marrying her. After all, her other choices were just as difficult—a false life as a ruined woman living alone, or a false life as William Ford’s unwanted bride.
None promised happiness. Only one offered security.
“Speak the words,” he demanded, eyes boring into hers relentlessly.
Matilda bit her bottom lip and then squared her shoulders. “Yes, Captain. I would be honored to be your wife.”
The duke crowed happily, but she was more concerned by Captain Ford’s sudden smile. He seemed entirely too pleased with her answer, and that could not be good. Not good at all.
Seven
“William!” Evelyn shouted as she dashed across the Newberry House drawing room to greet him and then threw herself into his arms as usual.
He embraced his sister quickly and set her back on her own feet, staring down into her eager face. His baby sister was growing up, but she hadn’t lost her enthusiasm for the people she loved. He harbored hope that her exuberance might dim somewhat when in company once she was out in society. “How many times must I remind you not to run across these floors? The number of rugs on the Newberry House drawing room floor makes for a hazard to everyone’s health.”
“At least once more,” Evelyn said, then her smile dimmed as her attention flickered to his scarred cheek. “It is a miracle you’re here to scold me for doing it.”
He grunted. She had a point. He’d prefer not to think about the past months. The future was much more interesting.
He glanced around the empty room, puzzled by that fact that his sister was by herself. “What are you doing sitting here alone?”
“Nothing in particular. I was read
ing.” She twisted from side to side, making her gown float around her like waves lapping at the shore. “Victoria went to call on friends, and Audrey is”—piano keys crashed in the music room—“having difficulty with a new piece of music.” She winced. “That’s been going on for three hours actually.”
He glanced toward the sound coming from the distant music room. Audrey’s daily practice would usually span hours, but in the past the notes she struck had been much more promising.
“I’ve not heard Audrey play so badly for a very long time. It sounds as if she’s not even trying,” he said, frowning at the terrible noise.
“Audrey has been out of sorts of late.” Evelyn shrugged. “Not to worry. She will come good eventually. She always does. You did not bring Matilda with you today. I was hoping to see her before the real wedding takes place.”
“Ah, no. She is”—he’d not the faintest idea what she might be doing today, so he made up something on the spot—“resting, I imagine.”
“Why? What has she to rest from?” Evelyn’s expression turned sly as she looked up at him.
“Being employed as a maid,” he suggested. “It is a very taxing occupation.”
He considered Matilda’s hand sliding into the glove yesterday. Her skin had seemed not as soft as it ought to be for one so lovely.
“Oh, I thought you must have spent the night seducing her.” Evelyn giggled behind her hand.
He blinked and then scowled at the suggestion. Evelyn was growing up too fast to be speaking of such matters, and he was unwilling to be teased in such a manner by her. “Why would you think that?”
“Because you’re going to marry her, silly.” She waved her hand. “Everyone knows couples in love do the most romantic things when no one is watching.”
He set his hands to his hips. “Evelyn, you do understand your assumption was a mistake? We are not courting. We never were.”