A Bluestocking for the Duke: A Steamy Historical Regency Romance Novel (The Hale Sisters Book 1)
A Bluestocking for the Duke: Chapter 6

The baron tipped his glasses to the edge of his nose and looked over the document. “This, I believe, is more than generous enough.”

     Colin looked down at the details of the dowry. Ten thousand plus fifty acres of land in the country, was more than enough to get Colin and his family back on their feet. The baron was a man with incredible business savvy. Perhaps Colin might learn something from him eventually.

     Colin reached for his quill and prepared to sign the paper before the baron stopped him. “Wait.”

     Colin paused and looked up, slowly dipping his quill back in the inkwell. He shifted at his desk, eyeing the baron seated across from him. This time, he was much less relaxed than he had seemed previously. He was rigid, and his eyes were dark. “You and my daughter had an argument the other day.”

     Colin grimaced. “We did.”

     “I do not wish to pressure an answer, but might I know what the disagreement was about?”

     Colin did not wish to be a man who lied in any respect to the father of his future wife. The entire truth, however, was hardly something that Colin could offer. The truth was more complicated. The truth was that Colin had said some incredibly hurtful things about her and then proceeded to accuse her of being a liar and a temptress. That was not something one admitted to, especially not to the woman’s father.

     He took a deep inhale. “Your daughter and I found ourselves having different opinions of our family. She lives to care for hers, and I care for mine so that I may live.” This was partly true. “The truth is difficult to hear, but your daughter has taught me greatly about duty and selflessness. I admire her a great deal for the way she loves her family, as if you are the very reason she breathes.”

     “I worry about her. She has always put everyone else first. She needs someone who will put her first.”

     “I have the very intention,” Colin said.

     The baron tapped the desk with the arm of his glasses absentmindedly. “My girls desperately want to believe in love and romance, but these things are incredibly rare,” he said.

     “Devastating, yet true.”

     “My daughter seems to be under the impression that you and she are a love match,” he said, frowning.

     “This displeases you?” Colin glanced back down at the dowry. It would be the end to all of his stress, and Miss Hale was not only advantageous for her money, but it seemed that even if they lacked a romantic connection, they had enough of an attraction to keep them somewhat happy. The line of questioning from the baron was enough to cause Colin some trepidation. If he revoked his offer, Colin would have to come up with a solution to his family’s plight faster than was likely possible.

     “A man and a woman who enter a marriage with nary an expectation and arrive at common ground have never set themselves up for disappointment. Instead, they will be grateful for what they do have. A man and a woman who enter a union with hopes of a fairytale are always let down. That is not sustainable. I do not wish my daughter a lifetime of disappointment. I want her affections to be built on stable ground.”

     Colin was taken aback. He had expected the Hale family to be hopeless romantics after the way Emma had spoken of their hopes for her. Colin was expected to convince the baron that he loved his daughter, not defend it. “I believe that once you truly love someone, your heart belongs to them, no matter the challenges ahead. No matter storm nor sun, I love your daughter today and will care for her for the rest of my life.”

     The baron nodded. “I did not expect a marriage of convenience to take such a turn. Fortuitous for you to get a generous sum and a love match. Although I am uncertain, I must admit that you impress me. Your mother speaks very highly of you, and I can clearly see why.”

     Colin reached his hand out and firmly shook the baron’s hand. Finally, he gestured down at the document. Colin nodded sharply and signed the agreement. “I promise to take care of your daughter,” Colin said, but when the words left his mouth, he felt ill. Colin did genuinely hate caring for people. Caring meant giving a part of yourself that you could never get back. Caring meant loving someone without expecting anything in return. No one had ever cared for him. It seemed like ever since he was a child, the title of heir had only served to make him an authority. Everyone expected that Colin knew what he was doing. But he didn’t. How could he?

     Emma was one more person to care for. Emma was one more person who would demand things he didn’t have. But right now, he hadn’t another option. Once his family was back in a comfortable position monetarily, everything would feel more worth it, and Colin could focus on rectifying his marriage enough to find some semblance of happiness. There had to be something.

     “The Duke is so romantic,” Harriet mused.

     Emma sighed, looking into the vanity mirror at her hair. It was fixed atop her head, and soft waves of hair cascaded around her jaw. She faked a smile just to see what it looked like. Was it believable? “Isn’t he?”

Tonight was their engagement party, and it might have been less nerve-wracking if the Westons and Emma’s family hadn’t invited so many families from the surrounding area. The Dowager had insisted upon it, seeing as the Duke was such a prominent figure.

     “Papa does not understand. It is so frustrating.”

     “Yes.” Emma nodded, eyeing her mouth in the mirror and wondering what the Duke thought when he looked at her lips. “Our notions of love are quite modern. Our parents were conditioned to seek out a partner with their head and not their heart.”

     “Well, I happen to have used both,” Harriet said, nose up in the air proudly.

     “Allow our parents some time to see that we have made the right choices for ourselves. They are only skeptical because they care.”

     Harriet sighed, twirling in front of the mirror and admiring her mauve dress. It had some beautiful beading detail around the bust and hem. “I am surprised you are so happy with the Duke,” she said.

     Emma’s heart rate quickened at the concern that Harriet may have been onto her ruse. “Why is that?”

     “Because you truly are our father’s daughter. A realist. Cut of the same cloth,” she said. “I never expected a realist like you to fall so infinitely for the charms of a stranger.”

     Emma shrugged. “I am also as surprising as Mama can be. I am infinitely full of surprises.”

     Harriet smiled and stepped across the room to the vanity. She leaned down and kissed her older sister on the top of her head. “I could melt every time His Grace speaks of you. You absolutely captivate his heart. Such a stern, serious looking man like him? He adores you and ugh, it sends my heart all aflutter.” Harriet danced lightly on her feet like the thought had her floating on air.

     Emma had wished those words were any bit truer. The Duke didn’t love her as much as he loved her dowry. They shared a kiss, but even she knew that such a meeting was fueled by something much more volatile than romance. “I cannot believe it either. Your meeting with Lord Northwick was so romantic. I never thought something so fortunate could happen to me.”

     “You deserve happiness, Emma,” she said, looking at her older sister’s reflection in the mirror.

     “Papa is less nervous about your match, considering that you and the viscount were friends for quite some time before he expressed his intentions,” Emma explained. It was true. Harriet’s friendship with the viscount had assured their father that she had a good foundation to fall back on, even if the love quieted over time. He swore that was what age did to a couple. It wasn’t the least bit romantic, but it was a practical notion. Having an imagination was fantastic, but it was difficult to get hurt when you never allowed yourself to get attached in the first place.

     “I mean, think of that. Isn’t it special that the Duke somehow instantly knew that you were the right woman for him?”

     “Harriet,” Emma chuckled. “We mustn’t speculate about what goes on in His Grace’s head. What matters is that we have found ourselves enthralled with each other. I look forward to my marriage perhaps more than you do!” She teased her sister by reaching beside her and giving her a playful pinch on the side. Harriet shouted.

     Emma rose from her seat and pulled her sister into her arms in a loving hug. “Thank you for supporting me,” Emma whispered. “I am so pleased that this is what you wanted for me.”

     “Me too,” Harriet whispered into the crook of her neck. “I would have never forgiven you if you agreed to marry a man you loathed on my behalf.”

     Emma’s heart sank. Harriet was obviously being honest. Emma would have known otherwise, but that didn’t stop the pang of worry in her chest. If her sister knew what had transpired between the pair, she would have never advised Emma to marry him.

     “The only person unhappy for you is Lucy,” Harriet joked.

     “One day, Lucy will fall madly in love with a handsome marquess and pretend that she was never so cynical about the nature of love and romance. When do you suppose we should tell him the truth? Before or after the wedding?”

     “Before, if only so he knows how special he truly is.” Harriet’s laugh was distinctive. She laughed like she was always out of breath. “She will deny such accusations, I know. Good thing she is a horrible liar.”

     “A good thing indeed,” Emma said. “We have to spare him the surprise of learning later.”

     Harriet pulled out of the hug and looked her sister up and down. “Congratulations on your engagement. This ball is going to be incredible.”

     “Undoubtedly,” Emma smiled.

     In all honesty, Emma was petrified. The Duke had lied perfectly for Harriet, but it would take a lot more convincing for the ton to believe their ruse as well. Their first introduction to the ton together was a huge step. Seemed the sort of thing that would have done well with more practice. Maybe three days was enough practice? It didn’t feel like it, though.

     “Are you ready?” Harriet asked. “The ball is starting soon. We ought to go get comfortable.”

     Emma took a deep breath and steeled herself. She nodded. With a giggle, her sister opened the bedroom door and hurried out towards the staircase.

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