Camelia noted the way her father straightened in his chair and the way her sisters’ eyes widened. Margaret, ever the bold one, set her needlework aside, while Iris fidgeted with her shawl, her expression wary.
Their father rose to greet him, his expression a mix of gratitude and exhaustion.
“Your Grace,” he said, his tone formal but always warm. “We weren’t expecting you today. To what do we owe the pleasure?”
The Duke’s eyes flicked to Camelia—a brief, intense look that sent a shiver down her spine.
He’s here to remind me of my place.
“I come with news, Lord Lempster,” he announced, his voice steady and authoritative. “The debt to Lord Montague is paid in full. He will not bother your family again.”
Camelia dropped her needle into her lap.
Paid? Just like that?
“You… you settled it?” she asked with disbelief. “All of it? So quickly?”
“Every penny. My solicitor ensured Lord Montague had no grounds to contest. Your family is under my protection now, as I promised.”
He fulfilled his promise even before the wedding?
Camelia felt grateful to the Duke.
But at what cost to me?
“Thank you, Your Grace,” her father said sincerely. “We’re… grateful.”
Margaret, lounging on the settee, sat up abruptly, her eyes sparkling with her usual unfiltered curiosity.
“Wait a moment! If the debt’s paid, then Camelia doesn’t have to marry you anymore, does she? That was the whole point, wasn’t it? To save us from Lord Montague. Although I do hope she chooses to marry a duke.”
Camelia’s heart stopped. Her eyes darted to the Duke for an answer.
Margaret, you fool!
She opened her mouth to protest, but the Duke’s voice cut her off.
“There was never a contract forcing Lady Camelia to marry me,” he said calmly. His piercing blue eyes slid to Margaret, then back to Camelia, pinning her in place. “But I expect her to fulfill her duty. I will be waiting for her at the altar tomorrow.”
Duty?
Camelia’s mind reeled.
“My duty.” Her voice was smaller than she had intended. She cleared her throat. “You paid the debt, Your Grace, so I will keep my end of the deal.”
His lips twitched, a faint smirk that both infuriated and unsettled her. “As I expected, Lady Camelia. I’m glad you haven’t forgotten.”
Her pulse quickened at the memory of his closeness in the library and the near kiss that still haunted her dreams.
“I haven’t forgotten,” she said. “But I didn’t expect you to settle the debt so quickly.” Her voice carried a hint of suspicion.
Her father cleared his throat. “Camelia, His Grace has done us a great service. The debt is cleared, and Lord Montague is no longer a threat. You must consider what this marriage means for all of us.”
“Yes, I know what it means, Father,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
But it is all happening so soon.
“Your Grace,” Lord Lempster called. “Please allow me to walk you out?”
