The Duke Jokingly Asked Her to Find Him a Wife — “You May Be Looking at Her, Your Grace!”
Chapter 2
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Florence smiled, and Cecily felt that familiar little ache of affection that came from seeing someone dear to her receive precisely the happiness she deserved. She had no particular envy of her friend's new circumstances.At 26, Cecily was accustomed to hearing that a young lady ought to be increasingly concerned about her matrimonial prospects. She was not unconcerned; she simply refused to treat marriage as a railway carriage that must be boarded before the final whistle. She had a comfortable home, a father she adored, work that genuinely interested her, and friendships that made her life lively. If she married, she hoped it would be because someone made an already good life better, not because she had been frightened into believing her life was incomplete."Ah," Florence said suddenly, "here comes Samuel."Her husband was approaching with another gentleman at his side. Cecily recognized Samuel immediately, of course; the other man required a second glance.He was tall, broad-shouldered without being imposing, and dressed in a dark coat and richly patterned waistcoat that suggested excellent tailoring without the slightest need to advertise its expense. His chestnut brown hair was brushed back in loose waves, and a neatly trimmed beard lent a certain warmth to an otherwise distinguished face. He was listening to something Samuel was saying with an expression of amused concentration.Then he looked up. His eyes met Cecily's. She did not feel the earth move; she did, however, forget what she had been about to say."Florence, my darling," Samuel announced, "I have found the one gentleman in England who has not yet congratulated me on my astonishing good fortune.""I congratulated you in church," his companion replied."That was before I became a married man. I require congratulations in my new capacity.""Then I congratulate you on surviving the first three hours."Florence laughed. "Your Grace, I am delighted you came."Cecily's attention sharpened.Your Grace.Samuel turned toward her. "Cecily, I have been hoping to introduce you properly. Miss Cecily Bennett, may I present His Grace, Maximilian Ashcombe, Duke of Westhaven."Cecily curtsied. "Your Grace."The Duke bowed. "Miss Bennett. A pleasure.""Cecily," Samuel continued, apparently determined to make the introduction memorable, "is largely responsible for the fact that Florence and I are married."Maximilian glanced between them. "Indeed?""Entirely responsible," Samuel insisted."Samuel," Cecily warned."She brought us together when we were too foolish to manage it ourselves.""An assessment with which I cannot disagree," Florence said.Maximilian regarded Cecily with renewed interest. "So, you are a lady of considerable talents.""Only when dealing with particularly stubborn people, Your Grace.""Then you must be very busy.""Occasionally. Though I find that most people become quite sensible once they have exhausted every other possibility."Samuel laughed so loudly that a gentleman nearby turned his head. Maximilian smiled. It was not the polished, automatic smile Cecily had expected from a duke: it began at one corner of his mouth, as though he were genuinely entertained, and spread slowly across his face.