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A Kind Lady Defended an Elderly Dowager Being Insulted — Never Knowing She Was the Duke's Mother

A Kind Lady Defended an Elderly Dowager Being Insulted — Never Knowing She Was the Duke's Mother

Chapter 19

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"I am not a romantic, Your Grace," she managed to say, her voice trembling slightly. "I am practical. I am sharp-tongued. I will likely irritate you on a daily basis.""I am counting on it," Leopold replied, a shadow of a smile touching his lips. "A quiet house would drive me mad.""My brother will try to exploit you.""I will crush him financially if he tries. It will take me roughly three minutes."Beatrice let out a breath that was half-laugh, half-sob. She looked down at the lace in her hand, then back up at the towering, formidable man standing in the mud."You are offering a very strange bargain, Leopold," she said, using his Christian name for the first time.Leopold's eyes darkened at the sound of his name on her lips. "I am offering you the truth, Beatrice: no games, no societal mechanics—just a life where you never have to hide in the corners again, unless you want to, in which case we shall hide together."He did not ask for an answer then. He merely reached out, gently took her hand, pressed a firm, warm kiss to the back of her glove, and stepped away."I will call on Monday," he said softly, "to ask your brother for permission. Be prepared to catch him when he faints."He turned and walked away, disappearing into the morning mist, leaving Beatrice alone under the oak tree.She looked down at the Brussels lace—the physical proof of a solitary act of kindness that had accidentally altered the trajectory of her entire life. She carefully folded the tissue paper, placed it in her pocket, and began the walk home. For the first time in six years, Beatrice Hastings did not look down at the pavement; she looked straight ahead.Monday afternoon arrived like an executioner.Richard paced the Persian rug, his boots carving a frantic trench into the wool. He smelled desperately of bay rum and raw anxiety. Louisa sat frozen on the sofa. Beatrice remained by the window in a plain green day dress, methodically turning the pages of a book she wasn't reading.When the brass knocker finally cracked against the heavy front door, Richard stopped breathing.Leopold walked in, stripping off his leather gloves. He bypassed the customary pleasantries entirely, his sheer physical presence suffocating the room's oxygen.
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A Kind Lady Defended an Elderly Dowager Being Insulted — Never Knowing She Was the Duke's Mother

20 Part