The Third Duke's the Charm by Emma Wildes Read Free Book Online Page A

blinked.
    Vivian contemplated the tips of her slippers. “I am now engaged to Lucien Caverleigh, the Marquess of Stockton, who will someday be, if the line in succession continues as it should, the third Duke of Sanford.”
    When there was no response, she glanced up, saw her friend’s open mouth, and stifled a laugh. “Yes. Quite. Your expression reflects my own shock over this unexpected twist of fate.”
    “Twist of fate?” Lily finally sputtered. “Stockton is. . . .he’s . . . well, I must say that . . . that . . .”
    “He has a reputation for both his sophistication and dry wit, not to mention being considered quite the catch.” Vivian supplied helpfully.
    “Well, yes, actually. Viv, you cannot be serious. No offense intended to you, but you are hardly what he’d look for in a wife.”
    It was true. Lucien Caverleigh belonged with some elegant, poised creature who would grace his arm at fashionable events, wear gorgeous gowns, and in general be the envy of every woman in London.
    “I rather thought that myself.” The breeze brushed her face, and it was a bit cool, but she relished it. The sky was a lovely blue, though from an agricultural point of view, some rain would actually be welcome. As it was spring in England, that was sure to come. “But he assured me that this is what he wants.”
    “Do you even
know
him?”
    “In a literal sense, I suppose I don’t remember ever
not
knowing him. Charles and I spent a great deal of time together as children and he was at the estate, of course, though hardly all the time. There is a considerable age difference, but he and Charles have always gotten along quite well.”
    “You don’t seem precisely happy, but neither do you seem opposed.” Her friend studied her thoughtfully.
    “I am not sure how I feel,” Vivian admitted. “If I must marry someone, then he is surely a good choice.”
    Except she’d always—maybe naively—imagined falling in love.
    It would be different if Lucien was asking her to be his wife for any reason except she was suitable enough, but life was not a romantic novel. She needed to have the same good sense he displayed and look at the arrangement in a practical way.
    “The season is starting soon.” Vivian briefly closed her eyes. “I vow I can’t take a fifth one, especially now, as the abandoned fiancée. Luckily, since neither Charles nor I were all that enthusiastic about the marriage we’d asked for next fall for a wedding date, so the engagement hadn’t been publically announced yet, but enough people knew that it will still be a scandal.”
    “However, if you are making even a more prestigious match, the gossips will no doubt focus on that rather than Charles’s defection.” Lily nodded slowly. “Trust me, Viv, your marriage to Stockton is going to be the talk of the town.”
    “I admit I do hope he realizes that I am woefully unsuited to be his marchioness, but when I pointed it out, he didn’t even raise a brow.”
    Because, she wondered with a dismal feeling, he might just plan on continuing his unfettered lifestyle as if she didn’t exist. Many of their class did, and she did have to wonder how she would bear the indignity of that, but then again, the indignity of being a spinster for another year was even worse.
    It wasn’t as if she loved him. If he chose to have affairs or a mistress . . . or both for all she knew—was there a difference?—how outraged could she be if she didn’t love him?
    Quite a bit, she decided sitting there in the garden. Her pride had taken a severe battering the past four years, and though he was right, part of the reason she was unmarried was her choice, enough of it was rejection for her awkward wardrobe and eclectic interests that it rankled.
    “I think ‘woefully unsuited’ is an exaggeration.”
    That loyal declaration made her reach over and give Lily’s hand a squeeze. “Not much of one, and we both know it. However, I am quite sure if what his