The Accidental Duke (The Mad Matchmaking Men of Waterloo Book 1) by Devlin, Barbara (love letters to the dead .TXT) 📕

Your Grace’s influence, and Lord Rockingham’s benevolence, that he did not refuse my pedestrian request. Thus, I owe Lord Rockingham and Your Grace an apology, but I only thought of the unparalleled pleasure of his company.”

“Oh?” The duke blinked and glanced at her father. In unison, they smiled. “You are getting on well, so soon?”

“You might be surprised, because we are two like-minded individuals of singular purpose, Your Grace.” In that she didn’t lie. With reluctance, she retreated to the sidewalk. Praying Anthony cooperated, she adjusted the chinstrap of her poke bonnet. “And I hope Lord Rockingham improves enough to keep our appointment, because he promised to accompany me to Gunter’s for ices, and I am uncontrollably excited.”

“Worry not, Lady Arabella.” Anthony arched a brow and compressed his lips. “I will accommodate you.”

“That is most welcome news.” The duke waved to his footmen. “Let us return home, and summon the physician.”

“Come along, Arabella.” Mama clapped twice, a habit Arabella always found annoying. “We should depart, as well. Since you sent your horse to the stable, you can ride with me.”

“Yes, Mother.” Gritting her teeth, she clamped shut her mouth and mustered the poise expected of her, yet her mind was anything but composed or quiet. After she climbed into the carriage, she settled into the squabs and rested her gloved hands in her lap. With a lurch, the equipage turned into the lane, and she noted her father’s intense perusal. “What is it, Papa? What troubles you?”

“Nothing, my dear.” Despite his answer, she sensed something was wrong, especially when he furrowed his brow. “So, Lord Rockingham has been kind to you?”

“Of course, he has.” With an unconvincing laugh, she attempted to deflect the odd question, because she knew not what to make of it. “Why does His Grace insist we marry now? I thought most society weddings occurred near the end of the Season. In fact, we have no time to post the banns, which no doubt will arouse suspicion that I am in a delicate condition. What is the urgency?”

“His Grace fears his son’s mental capacity wanes, by the minute, and Swanborough must ensure the continuity of his line, else a cousin, twice removed, is to inherit the title.” Father pressed a fist to his mouth and shook his head. “But you need not fret, because I secured His Grace’s promise to shelter you beneath his roof, that he might safeguard you, after your nuptials.”

“You cannot be serious.” Reflecting on the brief moments spent in Anthony’s company, Arabella deemed him harmless. “Lord Rockingham is the best of men, and he is a war hero.”

“That may have been true, once.” Papa offered a smile that did not fool her for an instant. To her dismay, he genuinely believed Anthony posed a threat. “Combat has a way of altering a man, forever distorting his concept of reality, but Swanborough has a plan to deal with his son.”

“Oh?” Arabella came alert and recalled Anthony’s tender story. “I am not sure anyone need deal with Lord Rockingham, because he is kind and gentle.”

“But he is much changed, thus Swanborough feels the situation is grave.” Father cleared his throat and unbuttoned his coat. “Given the unique predicament, His Grace is prepared to offer compensation.”

“Indeed, you are fortunate, in that your commitment is minimal.” With an expression of inexplicable delight, Mama lifted her chin. “His Grace broached the possibility of a substantial financial incentive, should you produce a healthy male babe within the first year of your union. Your child will receive the finest care and education, and he will be the future Duke of Swanborough, while you will be given a small estate in Kent, a townhouse in London, and a generous annual income.”

“I beg your pardon? You speak as if any offspring I birth will not reside with me. Know that if I am to be a mother, I would know my child.” As her ears pealed with a carillon of panic, Arabella feared she might swoon, and she sympathized with Anthony’s earlier reaction. Then something nefarious occurred to her. “And what of Lord Rockingham? What is to become of him?”

“He is of no concern to you.” Never had she thought her father cruel, but his response, flippantly uttered, gave her pause. “Just fulfill your duty and have done with it.”

“How can you say that?” Anger sparked, and she stifled an undignified curse, lest she incurred her sire’s wrath, and she needed an ally. But what could Arabella do to save her friend and possible husband-to-be from his own relation and an unknown fate? While she had no wish to marry Anthony, she wanted to help him. “Father, you taught me to honor my commitments, and the marriage sacrament is the most important promise I can pledge in my life. I cannot abandon my husband once the vows have been spoken, and never would I surrender my child, to the duke or anyone else.”

“Arabella, we have no choice.” For as long as she could remember, her father had been her protector, her hero, but now he looked so weak. “I signed the contracts, and you belong to Lord Rockingham. However, Swanborough intends to save you from his son, and for that I am grateful. Rest assured, His Grace will make certain his son receives the best mental care at a facility equipped to handle him.”

“But I require no such service, and Lord Rockingham is misunderstood and does not deserve to be institutionalized.” Horrified by the prospect of Anthony’s imprisonment, given he was a good man, she had no real explanation for his strange behavior, and that was part of the problem. Perhaps, if she could account for his unpredictable moods, she could spare him a stay at an asylum. Not for an instant would she permit anyone to commit her fiancé, but how could she fight His Grace? Glancing at the passing storefronts, she pounced on an idea. “Papa, I am distressed by the revelations you shared, and I wonder if we might