The Incredible Honeymoon (Bantam Series No. 46) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Marchioness’s plan and she could hardly blame him if the girl she had chosen to be his wife would not accept him.
    “Papa is expecting you,” Antonia replied, “and is of course extremely excited, and so is Mama, at the thought of having you as a son-in-law.”
    “I can hardly marry your sister if she does not want me,” the Duke said, with a smile on his lips.
    “You do not suppose she would be allowed to say so?” Antonia asked scornfully. “As it happens neither Papa nor Mama have the slightest idea that she is in love. Harry, the man in question, has not up to now been able to speak to Papa.”
    The Duke looked at Antonia, a little uncertainly she went on:
    “You cannot be unaware that Felicity would be forced to marry you whatever her feelings are?”
    “That is ridiculous!”
    Even as the Duke spoke he knew that what this strange girl was saying was undoubtedly the truth.
    He was too well versed in the social world not to know that as the most eligible bachelor in the country every matchmaking Mama would welcome him as a son-in-law.
    Any girl he chose as his wife would be compelled to marry him willy-nilly, whatever her secret feelings might be on the matter.
    It had however never crossed his mind in this instance that there would be any opposition where Felicity Wyndham was concerned.
    He had not really thought of her as a person, but just as a complacent, compliant young woman who would be overwhelmingly grateful that he should condescend to offer for her.
    “I am afraid I am not pretty like Felicity,” Antonia said, breaking in on his thoughts, “but as it does not really matter to you what your bride looks like so long as she fulfils her duties and produces an heir, I think you will find one Wyndham sister is very like another.”
    The Duke rose to his feet.
    “Who told you it did not matter what my wife looked like?” he asked sharply.
    Antonia hesitated for a moment and he had the idea that she was choosing her words with care before she replied:
    “It is obvious, Your Grace, is it not? You have not seen Felicity and she has never seen you ... but you are prepared to offer her marriage and everybody has been saying for a ... long while that you need an ... heir.”
    “I cannot help thinking this is the most extraordinary conversation to have with a young girl,” the Duke said. “Does your father know you are here?”
    “No, of course not!” Antonia replied. “Mama thinks I am attending early Communion with Janet, who is our maid. It was my only possible excuse for escaping from the house when there is so much to do in preparation for your call this afternoon.”
    “You really wish me to consider your extraordinary proposal seriously?”
    “Why not?” Antonia enquired. “Felicity has cried all night and is making herself ill at the thought of marrying you. I have to do something to help her, and apart from my looks I would make you a better wife than she would.”
    There was an irrepressible smile at the corners of the Duke’s lips as he asked:
    “How can you be certain of that?”
    “I would make no demands on you, for one thing,” Antonia replied, “and I would be quite happy staying in the country when you were in London. In fact, I would be very content to be at Doncaster Park.”
    “And you really think you would like to marry me?” the Duke asked.
    His question surprised Antonia into telling the truth.
    “If I could ride your horses,” she answered, “I would marry ... ”
    She checked herself quickly.
    She had been about to say: ‘the devil himself!’ but realised it would have sounded extremely rude. So she substituted a little lamely:
    “ ... the owner of them!”
    The Duke had not missed her hesitation before the sentence was finished.
    “You sound as if you know my horses,” he said. “I suppose, since you live next door, you have seen them?”
    “I have watched them on The Chase,” Antonia said. “They are magnificent! Especially Red Duster. I think you have