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le, and that the new Duchess Anne shall be known as steward of Roxborough, bound not by the usual… sorts of marital expectations…” the old man’s voice trailed as he continued to read the terms; Lord Strauss recalled them in his head, and when the old man finished, he nodded
“A hter’s convenience, inheritance of title Protection of your family She’ll not be beholden to me She’ll be free to court and to live as she pleases I’ll have… well, nothing to do with her This is e discussed, isn’t it, m’lord?” Lord Strauss queried; he felt warmth in his cheeks as a melancholy struck him, as if tears threatened to well over his eyes and splash upon the pages of the contract “I think it best for both of us And for the future of your estate”
“B… but, Lawrence, certainly you don’t think hter would be happy with this?”
“I fear you were mistaken on the matter ofaway the pain “I don’t… think, I’hter would want But for your sake, and for hers…” he recalled his sister; those painful nights spent arguing He sighed “…I want to ensure everything is good and proper before anything dreadful should happen to you” Lord Strauss’s tone implied that the decision he had made had been quite final
“Lawrence, did you… not get along, withhappen?” the shocked old row to… love her,” he said, his words limp and pained
“We got along fine, hter… this is what she wants It’s what’s best for her,” Lawrence said resoundingly He could see the heart break in the father’s eyes as the dying viscount gained realization “If you’ll sign it, and have your daughter do the same, all problems will be solved” Lawrence felt only emptiness at that barren declaration
“I just don’t… understand, I suppose,” the viscount said with bluster “My daughter… she deserves love I had hoped I would see it, before I died Her face… experiencing that a Do you know it, Lawrence?” Anne’s father asked Lord Strauss looked away, stilling his raging heart
“I should really be off for the eve,the question deftly
“You won’t stay the night? Certainly, it’s too late to be out a the moors, and perhaps we could share a dinner - the hunters have brought back some wonderful venison…”
“I should be off,” the duke insisted
“…Very well,” the viscount said with a weak sigh, a coughing fit clai him
“It’s been a pleasure, m’lord,” Lawrence said
“… A pleasure,” the ailing man replied
Chapter Thirteen
“Will you perhaps ensureday, and I’ve little time to see to it myself I’ve someone I still need to leaown as the sun fell over the horizon, bluish-orange streaking through the sky, Annea path back to the foyer, and the dining hall - where she hoped to see the duke once ht ended Just behind the flohite gown and still-dairl with hair of bushy-blonde, dressed in a loose white dress clean and spotless A girl of around Anne’s age, Erown incircuard for the girl’s insights, even if she had a meek manner about her