Read Online Only Beloved by Mary Balogh - Free Book Online

like that? How had he retained his sanity?
    Dora was struck fully with the realization that she would be his second wife. He would be coming to her encumbered by years and years of memories of a family life with another woman and a child. He would be coming burdened by the memory of the terrible tragedies that had taken them both from him within a few months. Was it any wonder that he had no romantic love or passion to offer her? She could not possibly replace his first wife in his affections.
    Well, of course she could not. She would not want to even if it were possible. Theirs would be a different type of relationship altogether. It was comfort and companionship he wanted from her. He had been quite honest about that, and she must not forget it. He wanted someone to help hold the loneliness at bay.
    Well, and
so did she
. They could do that for each other. She could be his companion and friend, and he could be hers. She had music to offer too—in exchange for all the material goods and luxuries he would provide. She smiled when she recalled what he had said to her earlier about his cleverness in choosing a wife who could play for him.
    She was not going to get depressed about what she could not have from her marriage. Gracious heaven, at this time yesterday she had fully expected that shewould live out her life here at Inglebrook as a spinster. Yet now she was betrothed.
    They turned onto the path up to the house.
    â€œYou are a peaceful companion, Miss Debbins,” the duke said. “You do not seem to feel the need to fill every silent moment with words.”
    â€œOh, dear,” she said, “is that a polite way of saying that I have no conversation?”
    â€œIf it were,” he said, “then I would be condemning myself too since I have been equally silent during much of our walk. I almost wish we had had time to keep going through the trees to stroll in the meadow and sit in the summerhouse. But I must, alas, behave responsibly and deliver you on time for your lesson.”
    â€œDo they know?” Dora asked. She could feel the fluttering of anxiety in her stomach.
    â€œI did not feel I had the right to make any announcement,” he told her. “It struck me as altogether possible that after thinking things over you would change your mind about facing the upheaval in your life that marrying me will bring. I did not want to embarrass you unduly if you had changed your mind. I was extremely anxious as I walked to your house earlier. I did not know what awaited me.”
    She glanced at him suspiciously, but he looked perfectly serious.
    â€œIt never once occurred to me to change my mind,” she said. “I thought perhaps you would be the one changing yours after having seen me again yesterday afternoon. But I remembered that you are a gentleman and would not cry off, having made your offer.”
    He laughed softly. “I do assure you, Miss Debbins,” he said, “that seeing you again yesterday only made me more eager to marry you.”
    Oh, dear, Dora thought.
Why?
But she felt warmed right through to the center of her heart anyway.
    *   *   *
    George was feeling anxious all over again. Vincent and Sophia, he could see, were outside, sitting in the formal gardens while Thomas, their son, toddled happily along the path near them. He stopped even as George spotted him to pluck the head off a flower and hold it out to his mama with a look of triumph.
    â€œOh, dear,” Miss Debbins said, “they are outside, and Lady Darleigh has seen us. She will think it very presumptuous of me to be approaching the house from the direction of the lake and to be walking on your arm. I am their music teacher.”
    He smiled down at her and patted her hand. “I did inform them when Vince told me about his harp lesson that I would walk into the village and escort you back here,” he told her. “Do I have your permission to tell them about our