Lady Alexandra's Hunt Chapter 23, a pride and prejudice fanfic

It seems the Duchess is still popular in her fourth outing. I admit I too love this feisty old woman.

There will be one or two more chapters to come.

Just a short one today.

~~H~~

Reasons

Over dinner, the Duchess explained her presence, allowing Alexandra to make up for the meals she had been unable to eat on the way, due to the anxiety she had felt.

'Since I bludgeoned Alexandra into proposing, I thought it prudent to come along, to ensure that propriety was observed. I did not want the old biddies to have a chance to question the nature of your attachment.'

'I doubt that anyone in society would have the temerity to question anything which you sanctioned, Your Grace,' Marcus responded with a smile. He was still rather bemused that not only did Alexandra love him, but one of the leading doyens of society had actively promoted the match.

The Duchess chuckled. 'Not if they know what is good for them. I know where too many bodies are buried.'

'I certainly cannot argue with that sentiment,' Marcus admitted with a grin. He had met the formidable lady only twice before and had found her to be rather intimidating. According to Robert, he was not alone in feeling this way.

Now that the Duchess was on his side and being helpful, she portrayed a very different character. He would almost call it mischievous.

Perhaps the lady could help with a problem which had concerned him. 'I must confess that I have been worried about how society will react if Lady Alexandra were to marry someone outside her social circle.'

'There will be weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth,' the Duchess said with relish. ''It is not because you are unworthy, but because the others were found wanting.'

Alexandra, who had assuaged the worst of her hunger, took the time to interject, 'most of the men I have met over the last three years wanted to marry me for my title and my wealth. They thought that since I was young and female, that I was also uneducated and gullible.'

The Duchess murmured sotto voce, 'you mean stupid and malleable.'

Alexandra ignored the comment and added gleefully. 'They were shocked when they found out I was quite aware that many of the normal rules for marriage do not apply to me.'

While she took another bite of her dinner, Marcus asked, 'you mean like the fact that you maintain your title and control of your estates?'

'That and the small issue that my husband does not even have automatic access to the income from the estates. They thought that they could charm or bully me into handing over control to them.'

Marcus gave a soft chuckle. 'I am glad that I have known you long enough to be aware that you do not suffer fools. I suspect that if you had shown even part of the fire I can see, most of those suitors would have run for the hills.'

'You mean that by being polite I extended my suffering?' Alexandra asked in mock horror, raising the back of her hand to her forehead dramatically.

The Duchess shook her head in amusement. 'Your aunt is a wonderful lady, but I could have better taught you how to use the power you have.'

'I am most grateful that you did not, Your Grace. I might have been too terrified of your protégé,' Marcus quipped.

'Are you terrified?' Alexandra was astonished.

Marcus shrugged. 'Robert called you abrasive and implied that you were intimidating. But I cannot see that in you. I always thought of you as sweet and gentle.'

'You thought of me as sweet and gentle after you watched me break Frederick's wrist?' Alexandra exclaimed in disbelief.

'Frederick?' questioned the Duchess.

'The late unlamented Earl of Marven.'

The Duchess laughed. 'That is a story which I must hear.'

Marcus was happy to oblige the lady, while Alexandra finished her dinner.

'While that was not the kind of power I was talking about, I am glad to hear that you can look after yourself. With that attitude you two should not have any problems.' She stifled a yawn.

'I am afraid that being bounced around in a carriage for a day has exhausted me. I suggest that tomorrow we discuss how to introduce your forthcoming marriage to society. It will also allow me to rest for a day before being subjected to another carriage ride.'

On her way out of the room she had a final comment. 'Keep the door open.'

~~H~~

Alexandra and Marcus exchanged a startled glance before giving way to relieved and slightly hysterical laughter.

'The Duchess is a force of nature,' declared Marcus with a shake of his head.

'Indeed, she is,' responded Alexandra with a fond smile.

'But she has reminded me of my duty as a host. You too have spent the day travelling…'

'Yes, I have, but while I am tired, at present I could not sleep.'

'In that case, shall we return to the library? It is more comfortable.'

Since Alexandra was agreeable to the suggestion, he offered her his arm to escort her back to the library, where she requested coffee as she looked around.

'This room is just as I imagined it from your description.'

Once the coffee had been served, Marcus poured a small measure of brandy, which he offered to Alexandra. 'This might help settle your nerves to help you sleep later.'

When she gratefully accepted the drink, he poured himself a slightly larger drink and sat in a chair near his lady. It was a heady thought… his lady.

'May I ask you a question?' he asked.

'You just did,' Alexandra teased as she took a small sip of the excellent brandy.

Marcus pretended a fierce scowl at her facetious remark. 'Very well. I shall ask another one. 'Please do not misunderstand, I am thrilled that you asked me to marry you, but I do not understand… why me?'

'Because I love you.'

'But you have everything. You are intelligent, beautiful in every way, you are a great conversationalist and wonderful company. You are accomplished in many areas. You have all that, not to mention wealth and a title in your own right. You could have any man you wanted and yet you chose me.' Marcus looked as confused as he felt.

'I confess that I cannot understand the contradiction in your character. You always struck me as being confident in who you are. Why would you think yourself unworthy of me?'

'Did you not listen to all the things I just listed?'

'You do not give yourself enough credit. You are intelligent, well read and good company.' She let her eyes roam over him from head to foot with a teasing smile. 'You are also easy on the eyes and an excellent dancer. The fact that you resisted asking me to marry you tells me that you are not interested in me for my position or wealth.'

She smiled and grasped his hand, giving it a little squeeze to emphasis her point. 'But most of all, you accept me as I am. You seem to like me as a person and are not trying to change me.'

Alexandra sighed. 'Do you know how rare it is for a man not to be intimidated by me. Or worse, there are those who are offended by my audacity to have a mind of my own. And even worse still for them, I do not need them, and I do not kowtow to their perceived superiority.'

'Robert accepts and respects you,' offered Marcus.

'Yes, and I love him for it… like a brother.' She smiled and shrugged her shoulders. 'I know that on paper, he would be perfect for me, but I cannot think of him as a husband.'

'I am greatly relieved. I would hate to be compared to my friend at inopportune times.'

'You will just have to ensure to capture my full attention.' She smiled at Marcus and finished the last of her coffee and brandy. Before she could say anything else, she yawned. 'I believe the brandy has done its job,' she declared ruefully.

'In that case, I shall not keep you from your well deserved slumber.' He rose and offered his arm again. 'If you will allow, I shall conduct you to your chambers.'

Alexandra gratefully accepted his arm. The eventful day was catching up with her at last. It felt good to be escorted by Marcus.

When they reached the door, he leaned towards her for a brief brush of his lips against hers. 'Sweet dreams, my love.'

His prediction came true. Alexandra did have the most wonderful dreams of their future together.

~~H~~