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Will sipped the brandy from his glass, then placed it on the low table beside him.
He gazed down at the garden from the large window of the duke’s study. The guests still conversed cheerfully, laughing and enjoying themselves.
He, however, was certainly in no mood to return to the garden, as Emma’s words had affected him more than they should. Despite their brief conversation, Emma had – for some unbeknownst reason – riled Will up in a manner he had not expected.
He was angered not only at the fact that the beautiful red-haired beauty did not share his opinions on marriage, but also that she had dared to oppose him. Furthermore, Emma had caused him to appear inadequate, as he was left speechless, unable to counter her last sentence.
This not only infuriated Will, but made him wish the ground would open from under him and swallow him whole. Embarrassment had washed over him despite his intoxication, and he was now second guessing himself.
Will had been a confidant person from a very young age, and he had not doubted himself. His carefree nature was something the duke had blatantly envied, as it had been something he had lacked. But since meeting Kitty, that had seemed to change. James was now much more self-assured, and it troubled Will somewhat. He could not have imagined that their roles were now reversed, and he was the one who lacked confidence.
Will ran his fingers through his hair and sighed, glancing at the empty glass on the table. Perhaps he’d had enough, and it was time to stop. He’d embarrassed himself sufficiently for one day, and could not bear any more, especially from Emma.
Although she was a magnificent beauty with long, red tresses pinned at the nape of her neck, he would not tolerate a woman who behaved inappropriately in every manner.
Both he and his brother had been raised in the same manner, but James seemed to have been swayed by the lovely duchess, being rather forgiving for his own needs. James had even allowed Kitty full control of the wedding arrangements, which was something Will would certainly not have allowed.
“There you are.”
Will whirled around and saw James standing in the doorway, his arms hanging down his sides, a pensive expression mixed with a hint of concern on his face.
“Indeed,” Will answered curtly.
“I was under the impression I would find you passed out cold somewhere,” James said with a sly grin.
Will nodded and his jaw clenched.
“What’s the matter?” James asked, closing the door and coming to sit in the chair opposite Will.
“My entire life, I have not felt inadequate, or anything less than confident. Not even for a moment, James. I have never doubted myself, or my beliefs. Ever,” Will grumbled.
“What happened?” his brother asked.
Will opened his mouth to explain, then shut it again, feeling awkward.
When James waited patiently with an eyebrow raised, Will sighed. “I’d rather not say.”
“Surely it must have been something dire for it to have such an effect on you, brother. As you stated, you are the confident one, the self-assured one. What happened?”
Will turned towards James once more. “This stays between the two of us?”
“Of course,” James nodded. “You have my discretion.”
Will’s shoulders slumped and he sighed wearily. “Emma said things to me that usually I would never take to heart, or allow to affect me.”
The duke’s brow furrowed. “Emma? Kitty’s friend?”
“Is there any other Emma present?” Will muttered.
“Indeed,” said James and leaned forward. “What did Emma say to you?”
What didn’t she say?
“She insulted me. Called me arrogant and wrong in my beliefs of marriage and women,” Will answered.
“Did she state those specific words?” James asked in disbelief.
“She may as well have,” Will exclaimed and threw his hands in the air. “Never in my life have I allowed anyone to speak to me in such a way, least of all a woman! Then she comes along and causes me to doubt everything in which I believe. Suddenly I am questioning my entire existence, and I don’t understand why.”
James shifted his weight and crossed his arms, staring intently at Will. “Perhaps the young lady has managed to get under your skin, William.”
Will scoffed and laughed with mock amusement. “That is the most ridiculous thing you have ever said, James.”
The duke raised an apprehensive brow at his younger brother and remained perfectly still.
Will exploded. “Do not glare at me in such a manner! I don’t even know this young woman. Why on earth would she affect me in such a way?”
“Perhaps she—”
Will held up his hand. “No, James.”
His brother was wrong. Whatever he was going to say... it had to be wrong.
James pushed on. “Have you considered the fact that she is permitted to have an opinion of her own? And that her opinion is as valid as yours?”
Will chuckled once more, but his smile faded as he realized the duke was serious. “You cannot be serious, James. Outspoken women are not—”
“Are not what? Desirable as wives?” the duke interrupted, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“That is not what I meant.”
He wasn’t considering her for a wife. That was the last thing on his mind.
“What exactly did you mean, William?”
Will sighed. Frustration filled him to the core and he gritted his teeth. “Father taught us women had a place in this world, and it was not to be outspoken or to disrespect men in any manner.”
“That may be true, but Mother made it perfectly clear that we should stick to our beliefs and our morals.” James said.
Will shook his head. “I respect Father’s teachings. He made me the man I am today.”
“A man who is uncertain of how to handle feeling embarrassed by a young woman?” the duke retorted.
Will’s jaw dropped. “That was rather insulting, even for you, brother.”
“My apologies, brother, but you must admit, it is true. This young woman turned your world around in the blink of an eye, and she continues to have an effect on you. Surely, there must be a reason. Is it not perhaps all the brandy you consumed this afternoon that is causing this momentary lapse of confidence you are feeling?” James asked.
“I am fairly certain all the brandy has left my blood.”
James chuckled in amusement but soon stifled his laughter when Will glared at him angrily.
“You find my pain amusing. What a supportive brother you are,” Will mumbled.
“My sincerest apologies, brother. I did not mean to delight in your misery.” James said.
“Or perhaps I am being foolish, allowing an ignorant young woman to riddle me with self-doubt,” Will answered, his shoulders straightening. “What kind of man would I be if I were to allow that?”
“A chauvinistic one?” came a female voice from behind them.
Will glanced to his left and saw Kitty standing in the doorway, a pout on her lips.
“Did your mother not teach you it is improper to eavesdrop on other people’s conversations?” Will muttered.
“Hold your tongue. You do not speak to my wife in such a manner,” James snapped, defending his new wife.
“There is no need for you both to become hostile,” Kitty answered calmly and turned to her husband. “And while I appreciate your chivalrous behavior, my love, I can understand Will’s frustration.”
“You can?” Will and James inquired simultaneously.
“Indeed,” Kitty answered and slowly approached the two men. “All your lives, you have been taught one thing, and then a young woman comes along who challenges every belief instilled in you. It is only natural to feel threatened—”
“I am not threatened,” Will interjected.
Kitty ignored Will and continued on, “Emma is a very good friend of mine, and she and I are very much alike. Her morals and beliefs are sound, and although she would not yield to yours, she would perhaps understand if you explained that was how you were raised.”
“I think it is best I stay as far away from Emma as possible, not to further impugn myself,” Will muttered and turned away.
“William, you are not a child,” James muttered impatiently.
“Perhaps not, but I wish to distance myself from her and avoid her at all costs.”
The duke and duchess glanced at one another and Kitty cringed. “I do apologize, Will, but I have invited Emma to stay at the estate for a few days. I was under the impression it would not be a problem.”
“And it is not,” the duke assured her and glared at Will. “We are all adults, and we can behave as such, even for a few days.”
“I cannot promise anything,” Will grumbled.
James chuckled and said quietly, “I uttered those same words, William, and look where it has gotten me.”
“Perhaps Will has finally met his match,” Kitty said, glancing briefly at Will and speaking as though he wasn’t even there.
Will’s jaw clenched as he watched the duke and the duchess leave the study, and him alone with his misery.
In all honesty, Will was not miserable. Emma had ruffled his feathers and left him feeling angered.
Kitty’s last words echoed in his mind, but he refused to allow them to seep in any further. Emma was hardly the kind of woman he could stand to be in a room with, and Kitty’s insinuation was entirely wrong.
He was tempted to confront Emma once more, to prove that she would not affect him a second time, but as he heard cheerful laughter come from the window, he glanced down at the garden.
The guests still happily conversed, laughing with amusement and Will groaned. He did not wish to make a scene in front of everyone.
Despite his validated feelings of anger, it was neither the time nor the place to confront Emma. Will might be impulsive, with a fiery temperament when provoked, but he was certainly not selfish enough to ruin his brother’s wedding day.
He remained in the study for a while, before retreating to the neighboring estate—Falmouth Manor—to visit a good friend, Mr. Carson Wallace.
Will had known Carson since they were young children, as he was often found playing in the garden with Lizzie. The two children were great friends, although Will had found it rather odd for a boy and a girl of their age to spend as much time together as they had.
Luckily, however, there was nothing but platonic feelings between Carson and Lizzie. Will had discovered that fact after he and Carson had confided in one another while secretly sipping the late duke’s brandy, which they had stolen from the study.
The two of them had become good friends that day, despite nursing terrible headaches and dry mouths the next morning.
Carson was a fine young man now, and despite having no title, his family was still one of the wealthiest and formidable in the county.
After a lovely, and distracting evening in Carson’s company, Will dragged himself back to Woodlock Manor, where the dark halls and his bedchamber awaited him.
He fell into a peaceful and dead slumber as soon as his head touched the pillow, and his dreams were muddled with the happenings of the day.