Ditching The Duke

secrets revealed

He stood leaning against a wall in his sisters bed chambers. Waiting patiently for her to finish up the last touches so he could walk her down the isle to be married to a viscount from the other side of England. Since Dustin's father passed away over a year ago, he became the fourth Duke of Starsborough. Which also meant he was head of their family, therefore, obligated to be the man to give his sister away. He couldn't wait for this duty to be done so he could have some drinks at the wedding ball and find himself a lady with a light skirt. 

It wouldn't be hard for him to find a woman more than willing to have some fun with tonight. He was pretty sure his mother invited all of London. And since he took his growth spurt at age sixteen the ladies have been chasing after him nonstop. He smiled at the thought of how many women he's had the pleasure of having over the years. Always careful to never get caught and trapped into an unwanted marriage. He cringed at the thought of being tied down to just one woman for the rest of his life. He always stayed clear of the young debutants and their scheming mamas. Some may call him a rake, but he didn't care. And nobody would dare call him one to his face for he was still a Duke.

Grace spoke without turning to face him. "Have you seen Clarissa yet? Mother will use tonight's ball as a way to introduce her to most of society."

Dustin clenched his teeth at the mention of Clarissa's name. had he seen her? No. has he avoided their Ducal home in London since last week when they got word Clarissa would be arriving for his mother to sponsor her for her first season? You better believe it. He spent the whole week drinking, gambling, and whoring. Anything to keep himself from seeing her, from the pain he felt still in his chest caused by her cold rejection of their friendship, and also from the memory of the kiss she gave him the last time they saw each other. He made a sound of clearing his throat, to rid his voice of all emotion before he answered her question.

"No. I could care less if Clarissa is back from school now. Or what our mother is doing with her. Now enough with the small talk. Lets go get you married."

At that Grace swung wide eyes at him. Shock was plainly written on her face. He didn't know why she should care one way or the other. Its not like she ever gave a care about anything but herself. They didn't get along. Today is one of the first times he has actually been alone with his sister in close to three years. Her eyes darkened, and if he didn't know her well enough, he would have thought she actually looked sad.

"You mean to tell me you two still are not friends?" Grace asked.

"Don't act so surprised. You were around enough to see we haven't been friends since she went off to school five years ago."

Grace sucked in her breath and touched her hands to her chest. "Dear God, what have I done?"

Dustin just stared at her from the wall he was still leaning on. Wondering who this person was with a heart who replaced his sister. Or maybe she has been trying her hand at acting? That was more like it.

She jumped from her stool dramatically and ran to him, gripping both his hands in hers. "Oh Dustin, please forgive me." she cried. "I had no idea my selfish lies would have kept you two apart for so long."

He shook his hands free from her grip and looked down at her. "What are you going on about?"

Her back straightened. "For my wedding gift I ask for your forgiveness."

Dustin still couldn't contemplate what Grace was talking about. Maybe this is how people acted when they got cold feet before their wedding. He took a deep breath, and released it before replying. "Of course Grace. You are my sister. I will forgive you no matter what."

She turned from him and reached into the bottom of a drawer, taking out a large stack of envelopes. "Just remember you promised to forgive me." she gave him a half smile before offering him the pile of envelopes. "I truly am sorry Dustin. We were still young, and I was just so jealous of your friendship. I had no idea things would get this bad."

He tightened his hold on the pile of envelopes in his hands. Realization of what she was confessing sank in quickly as he recognized his own penmanship on the cover of one addressed to Clarissa. It was never opened. He flipped through a few more, and it was as if a huge weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. There were several envelopes addressed to him from Clarissa as well. She did write to him. Clarissa never came because she never knew she was invited. All this time he thought she just threw their friendship away as if he meant nothing to her.

Dustin lifted watery eyes to his sister and whispered "Thank you".

Grace released a shaky breath. "Then you are not mad at me?"

"Oh, I'm beyond angry with you. But right now all I can think about is marrying you off and making up with my best friend."