3
Blackwell preferred the black tuxedo look but now that he was Duke of Oakley, the blue velvet was required. His father had worn the jacket with ease, so despite his discomfort he picked it up and buttoned the fitted coat that was so tight it left no muscleunseen.
Stupid. His mother knocked on the bedroom door and then let herself in when he grunted. She floated over to him and immediately adjusted his tie. Her blue eyes seemed sad, like she too missed his dad, the rightful Duke. However instead of speaking of her deceased husband, she asked, “Who are you going to the wedding with? It was cruel of you not to tellme.”
He lowered his head. For a reason he couldn’t explain, Donna made him feel normal. His mother would never understand. He placed his hand on her shoulder. “An American I met at thebar.”
Instead of arguing, she nodded. This made him suspicious so he paid closer attention. “Look,” she said. “I’ve asked the royal family for help finding your perfect match. By tomorrow afternoon, I’ll have the woman’sname.”
Blackwell let her go and massaged his temples, cursing the Royal IT Department. He didn’t want to have this argument with her because for once he had a chance to spend an evening out as himself with a woman who had no expectations of him. “Mother, I am not getting married to anyone you choose. I’ve already sent a marriage proposal to the Earl of Paston, Joseph Bright, with an offer for hisdaughter.”
“You’ve never met either Bright girl, have you?” She placed her hands on his arm. “Besides, with the computer option, I won’t have chosen her. The royal family uses special technology that has worked for all three princes. Who are you to argue with that? It’s time for you to settle down. If you don’t, then we could lose everything wehave.”
The law required all nobility to marry and ensure the lines continued, and he felt like a prized horse around most women he met. He understood that he had been born into obligation, but he deserved one night. “Mother-”
She sobbed and her tears were his undoing. “I can’t go back to Colorado, Blackwell. I felt like I lost everything when we moved there. This is our home. Please help us keepit.”
The palace made his parents happy and with his father dead, his mother relied on him and he wouldn’t let her down. He hugged her. “Mother, I said I would get married, but it won’t be someone you chose. I want to find my own bride, even if it ends up being one of the Bright girls. The youngest is supposedly out of college now and is said to be quite beautiful and she’ll be a greatduchess.”
“I prefer you get along with your wife and it’s not a paper match only.” She wiped her eyes and hugged his neck a little longer before finally letting him go. “But you’ve waited long enough. It’s time, son. Our relatives are already hoping you decline so they can start cashing in on Woodbridge Hall. Your father was bornhere.”
And his children were to be born within these halls too. His thirtieth birthday was coming in a few months, and he’d fulfill his father’s dying wish. It was his duty. He lifted his mother’s chin. “Okay. I’ll look at the name you get from the computer, after my date tonight, but nopromises.”
She let out a deep breath. “That’s all I can ask ofyou.”
Good. Her tears were always his undoing, though he’d never admit that. His mother smiled at him. “Two of the princes married Americans, so maybe yours will be from the country you love somuch.”
Colorado had been paradise on earth, riding and working the land. Here, no one looked at him without wanting his estate and money. For possibly the last night of his life, he’d enjoy an evening with a woman who seemed to just see him. Donna would be his last shot at being himself before marriage and living a lie. “Let’s not talk about this anymore, Mother. The contract I sent the Earl of Paston is the best plan I could make forus.”
“We’ll discuss it later.” His mother stepped back and smiled at him with approval. “You look very handsome. Have funtonight.”
The blue velvet jacket was too tight, but he ignored the complaint and left the palace. For the wedding, he’d have to tell the truth, but that was only fair. He’d enjoyed Donna’s lack of knowledge, but he’d never be able to keep his identity a secret. He scooted in the back of his limo, certain that his driver’s ancestors had all served his family before him. Avce was about tradition above allelse.
The memory of Donna’s sweetness motivated him to get out of the limo and walk into the inn. The place was nearly empty and quiet, with the folks who couldn’t be at the festivities watching on TV. Mrs. Fields, the innkeeper’s wife, worked the desk. He leaned across the marble desk. “I’m here to pick up DonnaSmith.”
“How did you know my last name?” Donna’s voice carried from behind him. Mrs. Fields winked as she continued to polish a vase. “I never toldyou.”
Blackwell turned around and saw Donna in a blue sequin dress that showed off the dip in her waist and the flair of her hip. Her face glowed with happiness and he realized that he’d be bringing one of the prettiest women around to the party. He walked toward her on the stairs and offered his arm. “There you are. You lookbeautiful.”
She gazed into his eyes and then down toward his jacket. She brushed his tense shoulders and smiled. “You look different from the man in the bar. I’ve never seen a velvet blue jacket with thesedesigns.”
In the United States, men wore looser suitcoats, but here the jacket was meant to show off his muscles. “It’s tradition,” he explained. “Are youready?”
She came to the bottom step but then crossed her arms. “After you tell me how you know my lastname.”
The truth. He nodded at her and gave her space. “I own the inn you’re staying in. You’re the only Donna checkedin.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. “You own theinn?”
He took a deep breath. It was time to explain everything. “I own the tavern too. Miss Donna Smith, I’m Blackwell Oberlin, the Duke ofOakley.”
A giggle escaped her lips but her brown eyes sparkled like he let her in on a joke. “You’re a real duke,Blackwell?”
“Yes.” He offered his arm to escort her out. This time she took it without question. “Now come. We shouldn’t be late for the wedding as you’ll want to walk the red carpet in that dress, and let the world see yourbeauty.”
A doorman held the door open for them and the limo driver waited with the limo so all he had to do was walk next to her. She glanced up at him. “So, I wrestled up a good onethen?”
Was she teasing him about his Colorado roots? He waited for her to climb inside and took note of her curves. “Absolutely. As didI.”
