The Duke Jokingly Asked Her to Find Him a Wife — “You May Be Looking at Her, Your Grace!”
Chapter 6
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"No," he agreed. "It is not."And there was something about the way he said it that made Cecily wonder whether the observation had been entirely innocent.On the journey home, Cecily's father listened patiently while she described the wedding. Edmund Bennett was a broad-faced gentleman of 55, with graying hair, thoughtful eyes, and a habit of listening so carefully that people sometimes revealed more than they intended. He had attended the ceremony, but returned home before the dancing to finish some correspondence. Now he sat opposite Cecily in their carriage, looking delighted by her account of Florence's happiness."And Samuel behaved himself?" he asked."Almost admirably.""Almost?""He told everyone I was responsible for his marriage.""An accurate statement, Papa! I've been saying it for months.""You have been encouraging him.""Someone must encourage that young man. Left to himself, he would still be wondering whether Florence preferred the gentleman from Bath."Cecily laughed; Edmund smiled."And did you enjoy yourself?""Very much.""Good." He settled more comfortably against the carriage seat. "Anyone interesting?"Cecily looked out of the window. "Several people.""Anyone particularly interesting?""Papa, you are beginning to sound like Florence.""I shall accept that as a compliment."She hesitated. "I met the Duke of Westhaven.""Ah, Ashcombe. You know him?""By reputation, and through a little correspondence. His estate office has consulted our records more than once. I knew his late father, though not particularly well. He seems very pleasant.""So I have heard. And rather amusing.""Amusing?""Yes."Edmund regarded her with open curiosity. "Now, that is interesting.""Why?""Because you have never before described a duke as amusing.""I have never before had much occasion to converse with one.""An excellent point."Cecily folded her hands in her lap. "He asked me to find him a wife."Edmund stared at her. Then he began to laugh. By the time she finished recounting the conversation, he was laughing so heartily that she feared he might wake the coachman."My dear girl," he said at last, wiping his eyes, "you told the Duke of Westhaven that he might already be looking at his future wife?""It was a joke.""I gathered as much.""Everyone laughed.""I am not surprised.""And he laughed, too.""Then he sounds a sensible gentleman."Cecily smiled. "Yes," she said softly. "I believe he is."Edmund watched her for a moment. Then, with the wisdom of a father who knew when not to ask another question, he changed the subject.The following morning, Maximilian Ashcombe stood in his library, examining a letter from his estate steward. It concerned a narrow strip of land bordering the old mill road: the estate had maintained a drainage ditch there for decades, but recent repairs had raised a question about the original boundary agreement. The steward had found references to an older deed, though the estate's copy was incomplete; a search of the district records would be necessary.Maximilian read the letter twice. Then he smiled—not because the boundary dispute was amusing (it was not), but because the solution had presented itself with an unexpected advantage.