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

know much of science and literature, and you may be a strong supporter of female emancipation, but you remain ignorant in the ways of men and women. You should have guessed that I adopted the opposing perspective, of the hysterical woman, so your father might assume the posture of male superiority and overrule what he described as my ‘unfounded fears brought about by my delicate nature.’ Regardless of his incorrect supposition, I got what I wanted, just like you hid the medical treatise beneath that lowbrow novel and my cookbook, which I selected to distract your father.”

“You knew about that?” Looking on her mother, as if for the first time, Arabella sank in the cushions. “You knew about everything?”

“Of course.” Mama shrugged and arched a brow. “And you should know that the easiest way to maneuver a man, if you please, is to advocate against that which you desire. Believe me, it works with uncanny precision, because men cannot bring themselves to admit we know best, and they are honor-bound to dispute our judgment.”

“That is why you objected to my private tutelage, when I returned home.” When Mama nodded, Arabella gave vent to a strangled cry. “Why did you not tell me? All these years, I thought us at odds, Mama.”

“Not so, anymore.” Leaning forward, Mama reached for Arabella, and they clasped hands. “And I would have you seize the chance fate delivered to your feet, because Lord Rockingham is a man of honor, despite his impairment. You may even know love, Arabella.”

“Love?” She laughed. “I do not believe in love, Mama. That emotion is naught but a fairy story contrived to oppress women, because they seek that which is unattainable.” She lifted her chin. “I shall never fall prey to such fantasies.”

“I caution you not to be too quick to discount what could be the greatest adventure of your life, my dear.” Mama relaxed. “Because I assure you love exists.”

“Mama, are you telling me that you love Papa?” Arabella considered the prospect but remained unconvinced. “Forgive me, but I never would have presumed it.”

“No.” Mama shook her head. “While I am quite fond of your father, love never entered the equation, given I married him out of duty, as was required of me.” She sniffed. “But don’t get me wrong, because we are friends, and he never hurt me. When he claimed my bride’s prize, he was gentle, reassuring, and never rushed me. The years passed, and we grew as a couple. Unlike some society husbands, he never shamed me. When he took a mistress, he exercised discretion, and for that I am grateful, because not many so-called gentlemen concern themselves with their wife’s social status.”

“If you don’t love Papa, how do you know there is such a thing?” To Arabella’s surprise, Mama changed seats, and they clasped hands. “What is it? What do you hide?”

“I was in love, once, when I was but a girl of six and ten.” Mama averted her stare. “His name was Nigel, and he was a stableman in service to my family.”

“A stableman?” Stunned by the revelation, given Mama’s usual stalwart demeanor, Arabella’s heart raced. No matter how she approached the situation, she could not imagine her mother pining for a servant. “What happened to him, and why have I never heard of this story?”

“It is not the sort of thing one discusses, is it?” With her thumb, Mama drew imaginary circles in Arabella’s palm. The habit harkened to her youth, when she fidgeted during church. “And it did not last long, because my father sent Nigel away. We never saw each other again, but Nigel is never far from my thoughts.” With a wistful expression, she sighed. “So, tell me of Lord Rockingham. I promise, I will not be angry.”

“Oh, Mama, he is not what I expected.” Arabella envisioned her groom and grinned. “He talks to me, and he values my spirit, because he said as much.”

“Then you are not afraid of him?” Mama tipped Arabella’s chin. “Because His Grace is convinced of his son’s mental infirmity.”

“Mama, if I harbor any apprehension, it is the possibility that His Grace might succeed in committing Anthony—Lord Rockingham—to an asylum, because there is nothing wrong with him.”

“But His Grace insists Lord Rockingham presents a viable danger to you and any prospective heir, which is why your father secured His Grace’s pledge to shield you.” When Arabella squeezed her mother’s hands, Mama compressed her lips. “What occurred between you and Lord Rockingham, that you support his cause with such fortitude?”

“Not more than a few kisses, and while I do not understand His Grace’s penchant for besmirching his son’s sanity, I can assure you that Lord Rockingham is quite sane.” Somehow, she had to convince her mother of the truth, so she related the information contained in Dr. Larrey’s study, along with Anthony’s symptoms, that she might secure an ally. “Mama, as God is my witness, I swear to you, if Lord Rockingham is guilty of anything, if he has any fault, it is that he is human. Given what he endured on the Continent, and the loss of his left hand, he is to be admired, not declared insane and imprisoned. If I am to be his wife, you should know I will fight His Grace with every fiber of my being. I will use any means at my disposal. I will give my life, if necessary, to protect my husband, before I allow anyone to take Lord Rockingham from me.”

“You are that determined?” Mama asked with more than a little incredulity. “You believe in him that much?”

“I do, and Lord Rockingham needs me.” It was not the first time Arabella realized she needed Anthony, because he functioned as her purpose, and hell would freeze before she let him down. With shoulders squared, she faced her mother, because she would leave no doubts regarding the constancy of her commitment. “The day may come when I must rely on your support, in order to protect Lord Rockingham,