“Why would you? You are not currently one.” He shrugged. “If you are worried about societal expectations, then do not be. I do not mingle with society when I can help it. Besides, if I wanted a wife who behaved perfectly in society at all times, then I would not choose one as improper and reckless as you.”
“That was a single incident,” she hissed. “I thought your dog was going to die. I do not usually behave like that.”
He cocked an eyebrow at her. “Then how do you normally behave, my lady?”
“I do not behave in any particular way. I just…exist, I suppose.” She never intentionally did anything to stand out, and most of the time she succeeded in going unnoticed.Bethany is right. I am usually boring.
Evan smiled, looking faintly amused. “Well, I am glad you exist, my lady. I would hate to attempt to marry a figment of my imagination. But I find it hard to believe that you do not behave in any particular way.” His expression turned intense as he examined her. “There is something very…particular about you.”
Marina felt her cheeks warm, and she took a step back while she resisted the urge to squirm. People very rarely gave her this much attention, and for so long.
Why can’t he just ignore me like everyone else? Why does it look like he’s trying to study me?
“I still do not know why you are so displeased,” Evan said. “A moment ago, you were ruined with no prospects. Your parents were about to put you on a ship to America. But when you marry me, you will be a duchess.”
Anger quickly displaced her discomfort, and she leaned into the emotion. “Of course, a man would think that,” she said. “Believe it or not, some people want more in life than simply avoiding a scandal. What would you even know about such matters? You have never needed to deal with one.”
His expression darkened with anger. It is the first strong emotion he has displayed since Marina met him, and the look took her breath away. When he was angry, he looked downright terrifying. Her throat went dry as she stared at him.
Perhaps I should have asked Bethany for more details about why they call him the Heartless Duke.
He stepped close to her, invading her personal space, and grabbed her chin. Marina barely stopped herself from flinching, even though his gloved hand was gentle despite the look in his eyes. Time seemed to stop around them, like the whole world had gone silent.
She stared into his deep blue eyes, full of anger, but also something else. Something she could not identify.
He opened his mouth and inhaled, as if he was about to say something. But then pulled his hand away and stepped back, in the direction of his carriage. His anger was extinguished as fast as it had appeared, and his carefully neutral expression was back in its place.
He inclined his head. “Good afternoon, my lady.” Without another word, he entered his carriage, and it took off in the direction of the road. Marina could only stare after it in bewilderment.
Chapter Six
Evan sat by the fire in his bedroom, a glass of brandy in hand. He sipped at it while looking at his watch.It is nearly time.
A scream echoed through the hallway to the open door of his room. Even though he heard the same scream every night, the sound still pierced his heart. He set down his glass with a faintthudbefore he stood up and ran out of the room and down the hallway to his daughter’s room.
He yanked open the door to see the five-year-old girl tossing and turning in bed as tears streamed down her face. It looked like she was still in the throes of the same nightmare that plagued her almost every night. He knew it would not be long before her nanny joined them, but he needed to wake her out of the dream now.
He sat down in a chair that was next to her bed. “Lilly, wake up,” he said, his voice commanding.
At the sound of his voice, her eyes flew open. Her entire body trembled as she stared at him.
“It was a dream,” he said. “You are safe in your room. Whatever you saw cannot hurt you.”
She brushed the tears away, even as a sob escaped her mouth. “Scared,” she whimpered.
“It was not real. It was just a dream.” He stated the simple facts over and over, hoping they would eventually get through to her
Her face was still tense with fear and worry. “Mama,” she said. “I want my mama.”
He kept his face neutral, willing himself not show the effect her words had on him. Her words hurt him, even though he knew deep down she was just stating a fact. She wanted her mother, and he certainly was not her. Unable to think of anything else, he just stated another fact. “Your mother is gone, Lilly.” He paused, thinking about how he could possibly make her cheer up. “We can visit her grave next week if you like.”
Lilly’s face crumpled, and it looked like she was desperately trying to keep from crying again as she wrapped her arms around herself, as if she were cold.
But how can she be cold? It is quite warm in her bedroom.
Just then, the door opened, and the nanny came into the room, looking half asleep still and carrying Prince William. Evan stood up with more than a little relief and moved to the side to let the woman take over.
He watched the nanny make comforting sounds as she tucked Lilly back into bed and pulled the blankets up over her. Prince William curled up next to Lilly and fell asleep immediately. The presence seemed to comfort her. Finally, his daughter looked calm as she slipped back into sleep, but her face was still twisted into a fretful frown.
