Her eyes flew open and she stared into the mesmerizing depths of his hazel orbs in shock. He must have seen something else in her expression that gave him the confidence to continue, “But in the meanwhile, until you are sent away, there will be a set of rules you need to abide by.” He paused for a moment to let his words sink in.
“...What sort of rules,” she asked. “And why two weeks?”
“I have an estate that is being renovated in Wiltonshire and my steward estimates it will take a little over a month from now to complete,” he explained. “As for the conditions, they should be quite easy to follow. First and foremost, I don’t like being addressed as ‘Your Grace’. We are to be wed, so you may call me ‘Ethan’.”
Meredith gulped and nodded, indicating to him that she understood.
“I want to hear you say it,” he said.
“...I may call you Ethan,” she repeated.
“Good. Now, the rest of the rules are just as simple: You may not inquire about my business or any of my past relationships. We will not dine together. And we will sleep in separate chambers throughout our stay together.”
Meredith immediately rose to her feet at all the implications he was making.
“Do you accept this arrangement, Meredith?”
She stood there for what felt like an eternity, the thoughts in her mind battling each other. If her father truly was sold on a ‘stable, marriage of convenience’ as he had put it, this may be her best way to get out unscathed. But deep inside, she was terrified. Terrified of being abandoned. Never fulfilling all her wishes. Never being loved… Could she really accept the offer?
Before she could respond, the door creaked open and Duke Ethan swiftly moved away from her with the dexterity of a feline.
“Is everything all right?” her father asked with a bright grin on his face. He seemed far too pleased with the situation, and Meredith could not help the discomfort and anxiety that crept up her stomach.
“I suppose,” was all Meredith could say. She stood up, clenching her fists. “I think I shall sleep on it, father. I will have a response tomorrow.”
Meredith forced a smile before turning to Ethan and bowing her head in an attempt to hide the dissatisfaction in her expression. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Your Grace."
“Now, hold on a moment—”
Ignoring her father’s words, she hastened from the room, desperate to escape the suffocating weight of her present circumstance.
She felt a tight knot form in her throat as tears threatened to break through but with gritted teeth and determination on her face, Meredith shook her head and tried to recover. Finally, she hurried up the stairs and let out a deep breath.
Her gaze traveled to the romantic novel she clutched to her bosom, a poignant reminder of her own desires for her future. Rose was right, she was allowing other people to dictate her life. She was watching all of her dreams be shattered one by one and all she could do was cry?
If this union with Duke Ethan was to last for a mere fortnight, then she would take advantage of that. As much as she wished for a life like her novels, it had just become an unrealistic and unattainable dream. Right before her eyes. Clenching her teeth, she blinked away her tears. During those two weeks, she would set her own wishes and her own rules. She would use Ethan for her own desires and then she would accept her freedom and live in the countryside, alone.
Standing up, she rushed to the bottom of the stairs, watching as the Duke of Allerton walked through the halls and headed for the doors.
* * *
Ethan Connolly walked out of Lord Notley’s office with relief flooding his body. Smoothly, he fixed the lapels of his coat and felt his heartbeat gradually steadying. It was silly, indeed, that he was feeling this sense of relief—it was he who suggested the arrangement after all. It happened after he found out Lord Notley had arranged for his only daughter, Meredith, to be married off to Lord Sutton, an elderly gentleman with three past marriages and without an ounce of shame in his body. He didn’t know Meredith, but one thing was clear: no respectable person deserved to be bound to Lord Sutton, and Ethan wouldn’t wish it upon his worst enemy.
The unconditional access to the rest of his inheritance upon finally being married only sweetened the deal, of course. Yet, he was glad she rejected. Marriage was not something Ethan would wish upon his worst enemy either. His boots tread softly on the carpeted floor to the front door and he watched as the footman opened the door for him.
“Wait!” he heard a soft voice call out from behind him and a chill ran up his spine. It was so quiet, yet the implications of it startled him and caused his body to stiffen.
Lady Meredith?
Ethan stopped and spun to face her. “Yes?” he asked, unsure of what to expect. A lump formed in his throat as eyes with a hint of redness glared at him. Meredith stood before him, her brown curls loose and flailing over her shoulders, touching her pearly skin.
“I accept your proposal,” she quickly said.
He most certainly did not expect that.
A twinge of regret shot through him. “…Very well,” was all he said. “I’m glad we settled that.”
He turned around, ready to leave, but her small hand wrapped around his arm, stopping him. He was far too sensitive to her touch and it wasn’t normal.
