Forbidden Duke (Princes of Avce Book 4)

by Victoria Pinder

  Blackwell reached down and took Donna’s hand in his. “Sure. Mother, I’m going to show Donna to our room. Please meet us on the patio in half an hour.”

  His mother began to breeze out of the room, but she stopped and turned toward Donna. “I’ll order the meal on my way. That’s the first lesson of being a duchess. Always make sure my son is fed. He gets whiny without food.”

  Donna laughed.

  His jaw tightened. “Mother…”

  She lifted her arms like she was in a ballroom dance as she floated out the door. “I’m going. Goodbye.”

  “I like your mother,” Donna said as they followed a moment later. His mother wasn’t in the hallway so she must have gone to the kitchens.

  Blackwell shook his head. His mother was unique and prone to getting her way. “Good, because she’s a handful.”

  Donna didn’t say anything else and he brought her to the main stairs. Soon he’d show her the layout of Woodbridge Hall and perhaps together they’d make this museum into a place he might call home.

  12

  Donna’s stomach was full and her belly was slightly sore from laughing. Martina Oberlin was a one-woman comedian with her witty comments and overly dramatic reactions all while providing intelligent insight to Blackwell and Woodbridge Hall. She’d never had so much fun over lunch.

  Blackwell led her toward the garden as his mother went in the other direction after they said goodbye. Once she was gone from sight, Donna told him, “Your mother is delightful. How did you, the man who rarely laughs, come from such an amusing woman?”

  He shook his head. “I had a father who straightened me out. Would you like to walk the grounds and get some exercise after lunch?”

  They’d eaten a gourmet meal of mushrooms, chicken and creamy pasta. “Sounds lovely.” She looped her arm in the crook of his elbow and gazed all around her. The green lawn went as far as the eyes could see with a clear path surrounded by trimmed trees. “Can you point out the dowager house your mother lives in?”

  He motioned with his shoulder that it was in the other direction. “If that’s how you want to come back, we can. I wanted to show you the pond, which is probably my favorite spot besides the stables.”

  She had no idea how nobility worked, not really. All she knew was in the historical books she’d read but none of that was very modern and she doubted there was a book that would tell her what marrying Blackwell might entail. She stayed beside him on the smooth dirt trail and focused on what he’d just said. Right, stables. He wanted to show her his horses. She patted her backside. “I can’t wait for my first lesson.”

  His brow lifted. “Really?”

  “Maybe.” She imagined him mounted on a huge brown horse with muscular thighs as he showed her how to ride. He was already larger than life, and on a horse, he’d be that cowboy.

  They made it to the section where the trail split, and he motioned for them to go right. “This way. We’ll take the front path.”

  Flowers surrounded every tree in a circle and the emerald lawn was cut perfectly even. “The gardens are beautiful. Miami is so hot that the only time you can go for a walk is in the evening, but where I live, I pass condo complexes, not trees.”

  He shrugged and kept his gaze straight ahead. “On our farm, we grew fields of wheat so I miss the smell of freshly turned soil. Here everything is designed for visual stimulation instead of food harvesting.”

  The large gardens had definitely been designed but the results were relaxing and peaceful. “I wouldn’t know what to do with myself on a farm. In the city, there are always people around, even when you don’t want them.”

  He slowed his pace. “It is just a short drive from here to any shopping or entertainment you might need.”

  Blackwell wanted to show her that she’d fit into his world. She patted his shoulder. “The village I stayed in that first night was very close to town. I’m not worried about being lonely here.”

  “Good.”

  They made it to the pond, which was much larger than she’d anticipated. It even had a small boathouse and a pier. Blackwell stopped near the path. “Let me talk to the boat master to get us a row boat. Give me two minutes.”

  She looked around and saw a black metal bench situated beneath a shady tree where someone might read for hours without being disturbed. She smiled. “I’ll wait on this bench.”

  “I’ll be right back.” He strode toward the boat house. She took a seat, closed her eyes and visualized sitting here with a book in her hand while she smelled a pink peony.

  If she married Blackwell, she could read here every day.

  A twig broke on the path and Donna opened her eyes. It was too soon for Blackwell to return. A young blonde with an elaborate updo, in a pale peach swing skirt with matching shirt and cardigan, complete with a string of pearls, walked closer.

  Donna tugged on her t-shirt and tucked it in behind her as the woman approached. “Hello?”

  “Oh, hello. Are you a guest of Oberlin’s?” The woman stopped in front of her and her bright confident smile told Donna that she’d been born into this world.

  She held out her hand, nails classic with a French manicure, and offered to shake. Donna did and said, “I am. I’m Donna Smith.”

  The handshake ended but the sheer brilliance of the woman surrounded them. “Lovely to meet you, Donna. I’m Chelsea Bright, possibly the next Duchess of Oakley.”

  Donna’s heart nearly stopped. Blackwell had clearly chosen a woman far more suitable than Donna. Chelsea would know how his life was supposed to work here and could be a reliable partner. Donna could hardly breathe. “Possibly?”

  Chelsea’s cheeks had a slight blush. “Yes, Oberlin has asked for my hand.”

  There was no way Donna would ever be so gracious and Blackwell had a better option in the classy blonde. It would be better for both of them if she just disappeared and left. Right now. Her stomach twisted and her heart felt cold. Why had he lied? She swallowed and wondered if he’d gone around asking every woman he met to marry him before he turned thirty. How many potential brides were there? Her heart sped up at the thought and she held her hand to her throat. “He did?”

  Chelsea’s eyes widened and she stepped backwards onto the path. “One of the maids said he was taking a walk toward the pond and I was hoping to catch up with him. I won’t take up any more of your time, Miss Smith. I hope you enjoy your stay here. I’ll send you an invitation to join our women’s group if your stay will be longer than a few days.”

  “Thanks.” Donna had no intention of sticking around.

  Every cell in her body flared with heat and her pulse was so fast she couldn’t think. Harry had left her for another woman that was more attractive and knew how to wear makeup. Blackwell claimed to want to marry her, but he’d already asked another woman. He’d leave her too. Everyone else left her.

  Cold seeped up her spine.

  Blackwell left the boathouse and walked toward her, stopping in front of her. She couldn’t greet him; her voice had deserted her. An older man put a rowboat into the pond from the pier. “Are you ready, Donna?”

  The last place she wanted to be was on that small boat with him. Not now. She took a step backwards and lifted her chin. “How many women have you proposed to, Blackwell?”

  “What?” His gaze narrowed.

  She crossed her arms. Harry had denied at first that he’d cheated on her with the woman who became his girlfriend after Donna left. Blackwell’s defensive tone reminded her of that moment. She swallowed back the fire that grew around her heart, threatening to burn right through her. “The question was clear. How many possible brides do you have?”

  He stepped forward, his expression guarded. “I only want you, Donna.”

  Until the prettier, better, duchess came along. She knew better than to believe in this impossible dream he tried to weave in front of her. She stepped backwards. “I don’t know if I can believe that.”

  His hands went into his jean pockets. “Why not
? I told you that I must marry soon. I thought I saw a woman walk past on the path—who was it? Of course, I have a backup plan—how was I to know that I’d meet you?”

  He had told her about the law. But he hadn’t mentioned that the woman was perfect in every way and should honestly be the first choice. The fire was leaving her body, turning her heart to ash. “Your backup plan is young, blonde, blue-eyed, thin and beautiful. I’ve already been left for a more beautiful woman and I can’t deal with that again.”

  He straightened as if she’d hit him. “Donna, I’m not Harry. Don’t put his mistakes on me.”

  No, Blackwell was far worse. With Harry, she hadn’t felt loss or that she might never recover. Donna wanted to run away and not look back. “I’m not, Blackwell. I just met your future bride.”

  His brow scrunched with confusion. “It was Chelsea, the Earl of Paston’s younger daughter then. I’ve never even met her in person.”

  She let out a snort. This was too much. He needed to simply walk further on the path and find perfection. He didn’t need to waste his time here. “She’s touring your property. Go find her then. Look, I’m going to wish you every happiness in the world. She’s clearly more qualified to be a duchess than I would ever be.”

  He tilted his head and stared at her like she’d transformed into Medusa with snakes for hair. “You’ve not even going to give us a chance, are you? I can’t make you believe that you’re who I want.”

  No. His words were impossible and tears burned as if she was going to cry. “Why me? I don’t understand you.”

  He lifted his brow, took his hand from his pocket and reached for hers. “Because I fell in love you that moment in the bar where you swallowed the beer just to prove you could. Love is in my heart, but it is clear you don’t feel the same.”

  Her ears buzzed and she shook her head. He loved her? Her parents had loved her but they’d deserted her. Love couldn’t be trusted. Harry had claimed to love her but he’d cheated. “You can’t mean that.”

  His body stiffened and he stood straighter. “I realize now it’s one-sided and I won’t bother you again, Donna.”

  Oh goodness. He didn’t understand at all. How could he?

  He turned and walked down the path, away from her.

  She sank back onto the bench and her tears fell. She wiped her face but more tears took their place. She closed her eyes as water dripped from her cheeks onto her lap. “What have I done?”

  Years ago, Donna had gone to a therapist, knowing she used the loss of her parents to avoid living life to its fullest. Then Harry called off the wedding after admitting he cheated on her and she’d lost her job. She’d come here to figure out what she wanted with her life, not fall in love. Love hurt when she lost it and she’d lost over and over again. And yet here she was, stopping herself from feeling and hoping to block out what might be the best thing in her life. She’d ruined everything.

  13

  After her tears dried, Donna noticed the boat had been put back in the boathouse. She’d definitely ruined her chance to get to know Blackwell better. Everything was a mess because she’d allowed herself to wallow in the past. She fished her cell phone out of her back pocket and decided the cost of a call to the states didn’t matter. A few rings later, she heard the hello of the only person who would understand. She sniffled and said, “Beth.”

  “Donna! It’s good to hear from you.” Her friend sounded happy and Donna imagined that she’d probably just finished in her garden outside. “I spoke to a Martina Oberlin and she told me you were with her son.”

  Good--Beth knew some of her situation then. Tears started, but she sniffed them back. She clutched the phone. “Beth, I messed everything up. Blackwell said he loved me, but all I can do is think about how unlovable I am and I don’t want to fall in love because love sucks. I wish you were here because I don’t know what to do now.”

  Beth sighed and asked in a low voice, “How do you feel about Blackwell?”

  Her heart whispered one thing but she couldn’t imagine it was true. No one falls in love that fast. She rubbed her eyes that had stopped leaking tears. “I don’t know. He’s the most amazing man I’ve ever met, but I just don’t know how to trust him. He has to marry in a few months. I thought we’d have time to get to know one another but now I think I’ve ruined everything.”

  The mmhmm sound Beth made calmed Donna. Beth said, “You never dealt with Harry’s betrayal. This is all related to that jerk of an ex.”

  She’d hated giving Harry that power and she’d been proud about not crying over his hurtful actions. She’d simply gone to work without the ring and told Beth over coffee that morning that he was gone. Now she hugged her waist and felt her heart speeding up. “We saw Harry in Venice. He asked me if we could meet once I returned to Miami.”

  Beth asked in an incredulous voice, “And you slapped him?”

  His apology had been nice but she’d realized right then that she hadn’t loved Harry. She liked the security he’d offered but it wasn’t love. She swallowed. “No. I walked away with Blackwell.”

  Beth made a pfft sound like she would have handled everything different. “He only said that because it was obvious you’d moved on. You should have smacked that stupid boy.”

  A slap wouldn’t have changed anything. Her stomach clenched from all her crying earlier but the tears threatened to return. She’d made a huge mistake with Blackwell and didn’t see how she could fix it. She took a deep breath. “Beth, Blackwell asked me to marry him and I told him I needed to think about it.”

  “Oh, well that sounds promising.” Donna heard her opening and closing something in the background and wondered what time it was in Miami—she hadn’t thought, just called, in need of a friend.

  “I know nothing about being a duchess, so he brought me to Woodbridge Hall. I wanted to see if I could fit, you know? And I just met this other woman who thinks she’s to be his bride. She was so beautiful.” Classy, perfect, exactly what a duchess should be.

  Beth stopped whatever she was doing and said, “So are you. Your parents loved each other and you, sweetie. What happened to them was a tragic accident, but not the norm. Look, I’m Googling flights to Avce now. I can be there in the morning.”

  Goodness. Beth sounded like her therapist. “No!” She was supposed to remember the good in her life and stop putting negatives out there but today she’d fallen backwards on her ten-plus years of progress. She wiped her eyes. Part of this trip was to find herself and be stronger about going after what she wanted, but she’d failed that too. “Don’t. I am coming home.”

  Beth quickly said, “Don’t you dare. I’m buying a ticket now and I’ll get a room. We can discuss our next move when I get there.”

  Donna couldn’t continue on a vacation, not like this. She needed to get a job with benefits so she could see her therapist again, not sit and feel sorry for herself while Blackwell asked another woman to marry him. The thought left her numb. “I’ll be better at home.”

  Beth typed and clicked something on her computer. “Be honest—how do you feel about Blackwell?”

  Blackwell was perfect and deserved to find someone who could fit into his life. She was a complete mess. “He’s wonderful but I ruined my shot.”

  Beth took a deep breath. “You could lose your chance at true love, sweetie. If you come home now, you could regret it for the rest of your life.”

  Hadn’t she already? She rubbed her arms and wished she had the hope she heard in her friend’s voice. “There is nothing I can do.”

  “We’ll talk about when I get there. I bought my ticket.”

  Now she had to stay.... Beth was her only real friend, her only ally that understood. She let out a sigh. “Okay. I’ll get us a room then. I can’t stay here. I need to get my bag.”

  Beth repeated like she was her mother. “Wait for me.”

  Her heart raced. If she had to wait for long she’d drive herself crazy. But it would be good to have someone she trusted close. She n
odded. “Thanks, Beth. I’ll text you the address for the inn.”

  Beth sounded as if she was walking around her condo. “My flight gets in at six in the morning. I’ll meet you for breakfast.”

  The phone was warm on her right ear but she closed her eyes and tried to breathe normally. If she could figure out what to do, what she wanted to do, then she had a start on beginning again. “And what should I do now?”

  “Find a way to sort out how you feel,” Beth said. “If you love Blackwell, can you admit it to yourself? Don’t let Harry’s idiocy destroy your future. Sometimes you have to take a chance.”

  “She was really pretty.” Donna thought about Chelsea’s blonde updo. She was perfect, right down to her peach leather flats.

  Beth suddenly asked, “Why did he ask two women to marry him?”

  Right. Blackwell had told her that he’d had to get married and that he had a plan in place. That plan must have been Chelsea. In a robotic tone she explained, “There is a law here that nobility has to marry before thirty. Blackwell claims he wants to marry me, but he’d already made a different proposal. If he doesn’t marry, then he and his mother lose Woodbridge Hall.”

  “His mother hoped you and her son were going to end up together. She was funny on the phone actually. She sounded like she wanted you in her family, so I was open with her.”

  Yes, Martina was wonderful. Donna hadn’t met someone so vibrant in a long time. “She’s funny in person too.”

  “Donna, I wish you saw in yourself what everyone else sees in you. Promise me you’ll meet me at the inn.”

  “I will.” Now she had to go inside, get her bag and escape without seeing Blackwell. She couldn’t imagine any apology she’d say being good enough to fix this mess. She wasn’t sure she could do this, but she stood from the bench and walked toward the house. “I’ll go now.”

  Beth said, “Okay. Get some dinner and just relax. Don’t move until I get there. We’ll sort everything out soon.”