“Of course. Who am I if I do not keep my word?” Christopher replied.
“I was worried that you would not show up. If you timed your visit better, I could have saved myself from the torture that was my meeting with Lord Witherton this morning.”
Christopher shot her a look. “Lord Witherton?”
Surely, it was not jealousy that she was sensing in his words—only annoyance.
“Yes, my mother was quite set on setting us up. I am glad you intervened at the right time.” Frances sighed.
“My Lady, quite frankly, even if I were to show up in the middle of your wedding with a proposal, I would have still been the better option.”
Frances was surprised by his confidence. It was a side of him that she had not seen that much of.
“Why was it that you wanted to speak with me in private? I was under the impression that you already discussed matters with my father.”
“Ah, yes.” He straightened up, steeling himself. “I suppose I want to give you an out. Do you truly want this marriage?”
The straightforwardness of the question took Frances momentarily aback. She paused, feeling his intense gaze on her face.
“Yes, I do want to marry you, as I have already made clear.” She struggled to keep her voice steady, and then noticed that the Duke’s hands were trembling, though he hid his nervousness well.
Christopher’s expression softened with relief. “Thank you, Lady Frances. That is all I needed to hear,” he said. Then, after a slight pause, he added, “My only condition for this arrangement is that the wedding takes place by the end of this week.”
The urgency of his request surprised her.
“Would that be agreeable with you?” he asked.
“Personally, I wish to be united with the twins as soon as possible. But my parents might have their own opinions.”
“You need not worry about that, I will discuss it with them myself. What I need to hear is that you agree,” he pressed.
He seemed to care whatshethought, not her parents. It was a small gesture, but it was one that did not go unnoticed.
“Then you have my agreement.” She nodded eagerly.
She looked out the door, only to find her parents pacing in the hallway. She would not be surprised if they were trying to eavesdrop either.
She knew that they would need to end their conversation soon. With a hushed tone, turned to Christopher again. “I thought perhaps you regretted your proposal, given your delayed arrival.”
She searched his face for any signs of doubt.
Christopher smiled back at her, charming her instantly. “I would not say regret, but I gave it some more thought.”
“And you arrived at the same conclusion?”
She found his honesty refreshing. Many men would string together a false romantic tale of them being sure from the beginning.
But then a part of her felt conflicted, as well. This was not like the marriage she had grown up dreaming and reading about. It was purely based on convenience.
She gulped, pushing her thoughts away.
“I am here, am I not? This is for the best—for us and the twins.”
His assurance was comforting, yet as he smiled down at her, she could not help but notice that it did not reach his eyes. There was effort behind it, like he was trying to make himself come to terms with his decision.
“Your Grace…”
“Christopher,” he corrected her swiftly. “I am not too fond of being referred to by my title.”
