“It did, she has a soothing voice as my mother said. Although I must say, I like your company better.”
“Lord Ro…Kenneth. Please do not say such things.” She colored, turning her head away so that he found himself faced with her scar.
“I do not wish to make you feel uncomfortable. Alas, I feel as though I must tell you the truth. I cannot quite explain it, but I find myself entirely captivated by you. I often try to think of things that might bring you joy.”
Her eyes were cast toward the open window from where the moonlight shone into the room.
“I do not know what to say. You have been so kind to me and the breakfast you arranged was something I never expected. But you know the arrangement. You are to court my sister, and not myself.”
The words came out in a tumble, falling over one another and her breath quickened as she spoke.
“Ruth, I must know one thing. Am I wrong to assume you enjoy my company as much as I do yours? Tell me at once you do not care for me and I will leave you be.”
She turned, her blue eyes wide and her mouth parted. “I cannot tell a lie. It has never suited me. I enjoy your company; indeed, I do. I am most flattered you seem to care for me. Still, one look at my face ought to tell you that nobody would ever consider me a potential Marchioness, let alone a Duchess.”
His father’s words echoed in his mind. The question he’d posed to him the previous day. Could he see Ruth at Court? Presented to the Queen and the Prince Regent? He’d told him no. He still could not quite imagine it. Yet, it made no difference to his desires.
“I am very well aware of what the arrangement is. However, I care little for it. It is you I want, not your sister. I cannot force myself to love her, nor so I want to. With you, I can be who I am. And I venture to say you feel similarly. I know you do.”
Her mouth opened and snapped shut as she crossed her hands in front of her chest, swaying slightly back-and-forth as if to comfort herself.
“I cannot deny it. But please do not press me. I could never betray my sister in such a manner.”
“Is it a betrayal when no promises have been made? My father knows well of my determination not to marry a woman I do not love. I don’t care for society’s wants and needs.”
She sighed deeply and she wetted her lips before speaking again.
“You do know that my coming out ball had to be held at our estate? We were joined only by our friends and neighbors, people who would not stare at me and belittle me. I have never been invited to Almack’s or the opera. I’ve never danced with a man I was not already familiar with. I will never be accepted, and any man who considers taking me for a wife will suffer for choosing me.”
“Then suffer I shall. Even though I cannot imagine that I would. I am not one who needs the approval of others. I do not care if I am never invited to Court. None of it makes me happy; none of it is fulfilling. You realize if anyone ever heard of my burying a dead swan and caring for the cygnets I would be looked down upon and laughed at?”
She stood and walked across the room, facing away from him. Her shoulders heaved and when he joined her side, gently placing a hand on her back, he realized she was crying.
“Kenneth, you touch my heart. But I cannot see how this could ever be. You do not know my life. This scar governs it, and it will never change. I do not want you to be burdened by me.”
He stepped around to face her, then placed one finger under her chin, lifting it gently until they were eye to eye.
“It is true I know nothing of your life, but I wish to. I wish to share my life with you. I know we have not known one another long at all but I know what is in my heart. As for your scar, it startled me at first. I know it will be a source of conversation and judgment for all of our lives, but I no longer see it. I see only you, the beautiful woman beneath it.”
She raised a hand and swiftly wiped the tears from her face.
Very gently, he placed one hand on her cheek, feeling the ridges of her scar on the palm of his hand. Heat radiated from it. He took a breath, steadying himself as he leaned down and gently kissed it.
She shivered, but within a moment her hand rested on the small of his back and they stood this way until –
“My, my, my. And so, it is true. You have made your choice. And you’ve chosen the Lady of the Flames. Truly, you disappoint me.” Lawrence stood in the doorway, grinning.
Ruth flinched and turned away rushing to the other end of the room as her face turned away from both of them.
“Lawrence, I warn you…” The sound of his voice deepened as Kenneth walked toward him, hands curling into fists. A whiff of liquor hit Kenneth straight in the face when he neared his cousin. No wonder his tongue was loose; he was drunk!
“Ah, shall I be thrown against the wall again? Or perhaps you’ll do me in entirely this time. I see the window is already open.” His cousin laughed.
“I do not see what is so funny but perhaps it is the wine or cognac you indulged in.”
“Ah, Kenny. I’ve always thought you a ridiculous creature. You have no idea how many young gentlemen envy you. You stand to inherit the greatest Dukedom in the county, and you are willing to throw it all away because you insisted on love. And when presented with a truly divine specimen you toss her aside in favor of – her.” He gestured toward Ruth who still had her back turned.
“It is none of your concern, Lawrence. I do not know why you bother coming here and involving yourself in our affairs. It is not as if you stand to gain anything. You are less than a second son, for at least a second son would have respect. You are merely a trifling annoyance. A rude, unfeeling, unthinking louse.”
