The Duke Jokingly Asked Her to Find Him a Wife — “You May Be Looking at Her, Your Grace!”
Chapter 8
Theme:
Font Size:
24px
He leaned forward. Cecily pointed to a line of faded writing. "The original boundary followed the stream before the mill road was widened. The drainage ditch was apparently included in the agreement."Maximilian examined the entry. "Then the estate has been maintaining it correctly.""So it would appear.""You have saved my steward several weeks of correspondence.""I am delighted to have been useful."He looked at her. "You seem rather pleased with yourself.""I am. An admirable quality.""Papa says excessive modesty is a dreadful waste of time when one has done something well.""I believe I should like your father.""You probably would. He is considerably more sensible than I am.""I find that difficult to believe.""Then you have not known me long enough."Maximilian smiled. "No," he said. "I suppose I have not."For a moment, neither spoke. Then Cecily lowered her gaze to the register. "Shall I prepare a certified copy?""Please."She returned to her chair. Maximilian remained beside the desk, watching her select a fresh sheet of paper."May I ask you something, Miss Bennett?""Certainly.""Did you enjoy the remainder of the wedding?""Very much. Florence was radiant.""She was. And Samuel looked as though he had discovered the secret to eternal happiness.""He has been looking that way for several months.""Then I suppose marriage agrees with him.""Apparently." Cecily dipped her pen into the ink. "Perhaps you ought to reconsider your request.""My request?""For assistance in finding a wife.""Ah." He rested his hat on the edge of the desk. "I had rather hoped you might remember it."She looked up. "Your Grace, surely a gentleman in your position has no difficulty finding a wife."Maximilian's expression became thoughtful. "Finding a lady willing to marry a duke, Miss Bennett, is not particularly difficult.""I thought as much.""Finding a woman who wishes to share her life with the man beneath the title is another matter."Cecily's pen paused. He continued, his tone gentle rather than solemn."A title can offer comfort, security, and a certain standing in society. But it cannot tell me whether someone will laugh at the same foolish things I do, speak honestly when I am mistaken, or remember that I dislike pears after 40 years."Cecily stared at him. Then she laughed. "You remembered the pears!""I thought them an excellent standard for matrimony.""Rather an unusual one.""Perhaps. But I have been considering what you said about the letter, about devotion, about the little things that endure."Her expression softened. "I suppose those are the things that matter most.""I believe so."She resumed writing, although rather more slowly. After a moment, she said, "Then perhaps you should not be in such a hurry to find a wife.""Why not?""Because something worth having should not be chosen carelessly."Maximilian nodded. "I agree entirely.""Do you?""Yes. In fact, I believe the finest things in life are those we earn through effort, patience, and devotion." He paused. "And love, Miss Bennett, should be no exception."