“You don’t know why I am here.”
“Is that what you think?”
“I…” Rose realized that her entire body was shaking. If this was going to work, she needed to present confidence. She needed to give the Duke a reason to believe her.
So, she straightened up and removed her hat, letting her dark brown hair out so that it flowed past her shoulders and back. Then she pronounced her chin with confidence, before finally forcing herself to meet the Duke’s green eyes.
“I am here to speak of my sister,” she said.
It was subtle, but the Duke appeared somewhat taken by her sudden change. His eyes widened, if only for a second, and she could have sworn that she saw him smile, but as she had come to learn about him, such things did not last. His expression turned serious quickly, and the room darkened around him.
“Let me guess. You wish for me to cancel our engagement?” He sat on the end of the table, arms still folded.
“I do.”
He scoffed, “As I have said, the effort you have taken to get here is commendable, but also pointless. As you know, I am bound by contract, as is your father. This marriage is happening, and there is nothing you can do to stop it.”
“But –”
“Nor will you convince me to try,” he spoke over her. He did not raise his voice, but he did not need to. “You are smart, Miss Rosalind, and intuitive, no doubt. Which means that you know why I cannot even consider what you are suggesting.”
“You do not love her,” Rose said.
“Your point?”
“I know that you do not want to marry her.” Rose forced herself to walk deeper into the room. “Not really. I saw how you looked at her today. I saw in your eyes that you want this marriage no more than she does.”
“Did you, now?”
“She is just a girl,” Rose pleaded. She felt like a fool wearing her father’s clothes, as if that made the situation comical. She would have been more comfortable in one of her neatly pressed gowns. “She does not deserve to have her life ruined for –”
“Is that what you think I am doing?” he cut over her. “Ruining her life? Most young ladies would jump at the chance to marry a duke. You should remind your sister of how lucky she is, where others might be more thankful for such an opportunity.”
“My sister is young,” Rose said. “She does not see marriage as a practicality like most would, but a blessing bestowed on two lovers destined to spend their lives together. She wants a love match, not a business contract.”
“Your sister’s idealism is not my concern.”
“It should be,” Rose countered. “If you wish to keep things from becoming difficult. Based on what I know of you, I would have thought that would be your primary concern.”
He frowned at her. “What are you saying?”
It was important to point out that Rose was not such a fool as to come here on a whim. She had done her research on the Duke, so she knew that his mind would not be changed through emotional pleas. He was, by her estimate, a businessman, meaning that all he cared about was perception and how others viewed him.
His mind could be changed, but through logic only. If Rose were to save her sister, she needed to give him something that he wanted.
So, it has come to this. I just pray that I have read the man correctly.
“I am not here to try and convince you to cancel the contract,” Rose said carefully. “What I am here to do is to remind you that the contract did not specify which daughter you had to marry. Legally speaking, you can choose between Marianne and me.” She raised her eyebrows at him. “And my father will not be able to say no.”
For the first time, Rose saw surprise flicker across the Duke’s face. And for once, he did not try to cover it. At least not right away.
“That is…” He allowed a faint smile as if amused. “That is quite the gambit.”
“It is not a gambit.”
“That’s exactly what it is,” he said sharply, and the smile left him. “Did you really think that I was not aware of the circumstances of the contract? That I did not know I was able to choose between you and your sister? Do you think so little of me?”
“No,” she said carefully. “I assumed that you knew –”
