The Duke Jokingly Asked Her to Find Him a Wife — “You May Be Looking at Her, Your Grace!”
Chapter 4
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"Property registers, correspondence, old agreements, parish records when requested. You know how much paperwork accumulates in a district where every family has been disputing the same hedge for a century."Maximilian smiled. "Unfortunately, I do.""She is remarkably capable, and kind. Florence has loved her since they were girls.""I gathered as much."Samuel watched him for a moment. "Her father is a good man.""I am pleased to hear it.""And Cecily is a good woman, Samuel.""Yes. You have been married for three hours. Must you begin arranging marriages for everyone else?"Samuel laughed. "I learned from the best."Across the room, Cecily was speaking with an elderly lady whose shawl had slipped from her shoulders. Without interrupting their conversation, Cecily adjusted it gently, then listened as the woman continued talking. Maximilian watched the small gesture: it was performed without an audience. He found that he liked it.By early evening, the wedding breakfast had given way to dancing. The drawing room had been cleared, the musicians had settled near the windows, and the newly married couple had already been persuaded to lead two dances.Cecily had danced with Samuel's younger brother, a pleasant gentleman who had spent most of their conversation describing his plans to improve his orchard. She had also danced with Florence's uncle, who had nearly collided with a chair while explaining the superiority of his apple trees. She was beginning to suspect that marriage encouraged people to discuss agriculture."Miss Bennett."She turned. The Duke of Westhaven stood before her."Your Grace. I hope I am not interrupting.""Not unless you intended to prevent me from reaching the lemonade.""That would be an unforgivable offense.""Indeed. I am particularly fond of lemonade.""Then I must make my request quickly before you discover how unreasonable it is."Cecily raised an eyebrow. "Another wife-finding assignment?""Not this evening.""A pity. I had begun preparing a list of questions.""Should I be alarmed?""That depends upon your answers."He laughed quietly. "Perhaps I ought to postpone that examination. For the present, I was hoping you might grant me the last dance."Cecily glanced toward the musicians. "The last dance?""If it has not already been promised.""No, Your Grace, it has not.""Then may I?"She smiled with pleasure. He offered his arm; she took it. And when they joined the other couples, Cecily discovered that Maximilian Ashcombe danced exactly as he spoke: with confidence, consideration, and a certain understated humor that made it difficult to remain entirely solemn."You have been very generous with your time today," he remarked."Have I?""Samuel tells me you have assisted with nearly every aspect of this wedding.""Florence is my dearest friend.""That does not make the work less considerable.""No, but it makes the work a pleasure.""An admirable distinction."Cecily glanced up at him. "Do you always speak so formally, Your Grace?""Only when attempting to make a favorable impression.""Then I am afraid I must warn you that excessive formality rarely succeeds with me.""An unfortunate discovery. I have spent years perfecting it."