He kept his gaze on the papers and nodded slowly. “I know that you will.”
But Violet was not sure what therightchoice was.
Chapter 11
Leo was walking the estate grounds. The day was overcast, with heavy, bloated clouds that made the entire world look gray and dreary. He enjoyed those days, for they made the hills and valleys of Essex look even greener in comparison. As he rounded the path back to his house, he spied a figure coming towards him. Leo felt a fissure of anticipation trace the path of his spine. It was McCarthy, which meant that he had spoken to Violet.
He quickened his pace, scarcely able to contain himself. Had Violet agreed to the arrangement? Leo was unsure if he wanted her to agree or not. As perfect as the plan seemed to be, the thought of such a large change in his life—a duchess and wife—seemed unfathomable.
“How did it go?”
“It went as well as you might think, Your Grace,” McCarthy replied.
“What does that mean?” he asked, gesturing for McCarthy to continue along the path with him.
“It means that I made the offer, and the young lady promised to consider it.”
They began walking together, and Leo shoved his hands into the pockets of his great coat. “To consider it,” Leo mused. “She is not precisely delighted with the offer, is she?”
“I would not be upset about that, Your Grace,” McCarthy said. “Any young lady would be surprised to receive an offer of marriage from a duke, and Miss Brewer is unaccustomed to the ton’s ways. Her insistence on considering the matter carefully indicates that she is cautious and astute.”
Leo sighed. He supposed that McCarthy made a great deal of sense, but a small part of him had hoped that Violet would agree without hesitation. Perhaps, if he had revealed himself as her mysterious dance partner, she would have.
Leo had not done that, though, fearing it might have the opposite effect. She might be repulsed by his sudden interest and by the efforts he had taken to find her. It filled him with a strange sense of dread that marriage to him was something to be contemplated still.
“Did she give any indication of when she might have a decision?” Leo asked.
“I was not aware that you wished me to press her for one,” McCarthy replied. “If you like, I can return to Miss Brewer’s home and ask her.”
“No,” Leo replied. “I do not want her to feel as if I am trying to force her agreement.”
“That is very respectful of you, Your Grace.”
Leo hummed. It felt like rather dull praise. “She is a romantic girl,” he said. “Of course, she would want time to consider my offer.”
McCarthy nodded. The two men walked for a while in silence. Leo found himself feeling as if he ought to make an effort to continue the conversation, but he could find nothing to say. It had been too long since he had spoken to anyone besides Mrs. Gunderson.
“Would you be vexed if I asked you to remain in Essex while we await her answer?” Leo asked.
“Not in the least. I am always pleased to be of service to Your Grace.”
“Good. Thank you.”
If McCarthy stayed in Essex, that would mean he could settle everything more quickly if Violet agreed. If she did not, Leo was not precisely sure what he would do. Being rejected by such a charming lady might entirely dissuade him from searching for a new duchess.
“Did she ask about the rumors?” Leo asked hesitantly.
“She did not,” McCarthy replied.
It was difficult to determine what McCarthy thought of the rumors. Although he had worked as Leo’s solicitor for a long time, McCarthy was not a friend. Leo was not even sure that McCarthy would care if the rumorsweretrue. He was a man who was concerned mostly about being paid his fees.
“She must have been thinking about them,” Leo said, sighing.
There would be no feasible way of dissuading her, either. Leo frowned. The thought was distressing, that she might think the worst of him. She might be horrified to discover that her dance partner was the man who most of the village called a monster.
“She did seem to be a reasonable lady,” McCarthy said. “Besides, your offer was quite generous. Most young ladies of the ton would not refuse it, much less one in her position.”
That was true, and he was unsure how he felt about it. He thought of Lydia, who had accepted his offer of marriage without hesitation. She had gazed at him with such utter joy, her eyes bright and her face aglow. Lydia had told all her friends and acquaintances the moment he left her parents’ townhouse. He was trying to imagine Violet doing the same, of her accepting their wedding night with eagerness.
