Destiny with a Duke by Aston Alexa

Author:Aston, Alexa
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2021-11-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Finch told his driver to return to the gallery they had just come from and settled himself inside the coach. He hadn’t wanted to tarry with Victoria waiting nearby and had merely told Haggersby not to sell any Walter Findlay paintings until he returned. The gallery owner had quickly agreed, sensing a sale from a wealthy duke.

As his carriage traveled the busy streets of London, anger built within Finch. Pemberton had only left Victoria with a measly fifty pounds a year to survive on. As a country vicar, Finch had received that same amount, knowing it didn’t stretch far. Of course, the vicarage came with the living, and the glebe. He had taken advantage of planting crops each spring and fall and had lived off the bounty. He also had his alter ego of Walter Findlay to supplement his needs and those of his parish. Though he could have gone to Lord Marksby at any point and requested additional funds for the church, that hadn’t been necessary, thanks to what he pocketed from his art.

Still, he knew Victoria would be hard pressed to live on such a small sum and he realized why she was so grateful to the Weldons and wanted to show her appreciation for them taking her in. When Finch had a curate in Marbury, he had to pay the man’s salary from his own. He supposed Victoria paid for her lady’s maid, which left her with even less. She was dressed fashionably this Season and he had a suspicion that she wore clothes created for the previous one, when she had been in mourning and remained in the country.

It had bothered him that she wore no jewels. A few of her gowns cried out for a necklace or a pair of earrings. He supposed that any jewelry she wore previously had been returned to the estate and Pemberton had given her none of her own. Though Victoria didn’t need any baubles to dazzle, it angered him that she had so little to her name. Once more, he hoped she would attract the right kind of suitor. One who would admire her not only for her beauty but her sweet spirit and optimistic outlook on life. A man who would shower her with compliments and material goods, while also giving her children.

And love.

Finch wasn’t worthy of her. He could never be that man. His soul was still stained with a darkness that would never be dispelled. It would be wrong to drag Victoria into the mire that he struggled in daily. Because of that, he needed to step away from her. He realized few—if any—bachelors would try to compete with a duke. If he continued to escort her places and ask her to dance, he would chase away any candidates for her hand. He knew she was eager to wed because she yearned for children, something he overheard Emery and Olivia discussing. Victoria deserved those children and a good man’s love.

The question was if he should tell her why he chose to distance himself from her or simply do it.

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