“The prickly relationship you have with your family should be considered, don’t you think? They constantly chastise you for everything, regardless of all you do for them. That hasn’t changed, has it?”
Millie had witnessed some of that treatment over the years, in London and in Edinburgh and at their estate in Fife. Millie’s family presented a far different picture. Taylor never knew such affection and respect could exist between siblings…and now between their respective families. And she knew the Pennington family values could all be traced directly to Lord and Lady Aytoun.
“My father and brother will never change. How is that relevant?”
“I can’t help but think that snaring this duke might be the relief you need from your family. Imagine if you never had to live with them again. Unless there are real points against the duke. Are there?”
Not to have to hear her family’s daily complaining or be mortified by their self-interest was a dream, but there was a reality about the situation that Taylor had to face.
“Bamberg is a world traveler. An adventurer. I have no interest in marrying, only to be stuck in some cold, empty castle in Bavaria—knowing no one and having nothing to do—while he traipses about the world.”
That was important, she told herself. A point her friend could understand. Millie and Dermot were here together, building a future. One was not off in the wilds while the other sat at home doing nothing.
She strode to the window and gazed out at the golden fields spreading east. Beyond the stables, a series of fish ponds descended in the direction of the River Don, and cottages and farm buildings snuggled between heather-covered knolls. She loved it here. What would life be like in the forests of Bavaria?
Also, there was Taylor’s own insecurity about how she compared with all the women who must constantly be throwing themselves at someone with his looks, his title. She would never stand for infidelity. She didn’t want the pain that was unavoidable with such a husband. She wouldn’t be made to play the fool. No, even when she’d been young and gullible enough to hope for marriage, she’d wanted it to be for love. Not for some tawdry financial arrangement. Not for some empty title. What could Bamberg possibly offer her in return for her hand in a marriage of convenience such as this?
She looked over her shoulder at Millie. “I can’t do it. I can’t marry him.”
Her friend sat in silence for a moment. “Then say no to him, Taylor. But speak to your father first. He’s the one that started all this.”
“But that’s the problem! I can’t openly defy him. I can’t tell the duke
A pained look creased Millie’s face, and Taylor rushed to her, wondering if the moment had come. “Shall I run for your husband? Is it time?”
Her friend shook her head. “He…he’s coming.”
“Who is coming?”
“The Duke of Bamberg.” She took Taylor’s hand, stopping her from running to the door. “Dermot received a letter from His Grace this morning. He mentioned you by name. His message said he would need to impose on our hospitality for a short visit.”
Her father knew that she was coming to the Abbey, but Taylor never imagined he would be so indiscreet as to send the duke this way.
“When will he be here?”
Millie shrugged and shook her head. “A few weeks? A few days? Today? I honestly don’t know.”
CHAPTER 3
THE DUKE of Bamberg stood with his back to Dermot McKendry and scanned the grounds below. A dozen men, whom he assumed were patients of the hospital, were visible in the garden walkways, accompanied by attendants. Some were walking without assistance, but some were in chairs equipped with wheels. The object of his search, Lady Taylor, was nowhere to be seen.
“McKendry, we have been friends since our days at the university,” he said, turning to the doctor. “You know everything there is to know about me. About my family. About my life.”
“Perhaps a wee bit too much, Your Grace.”
“That’s very funny. But if you ‘Your Grace’ me one more time, I shall be compelled to toss you from this window.”
“Odd you should say that, Bamberg.” Dermot laughed. “Because I hear the exact same threat from my partner, Captain Melfort, quite often. I’ve actually been considering moving my office to the ground floor.”
