The look he gave her clearly indicated that he was not finding her the least amusing and that she was touching on a subject that affected him. But, like he said, it was no concern of hers.
“So let us conclude the negotiations,” Arabella seemed eager to finish this conversation. “What is the third occasion? What is the third occasion on which I am to be displayed as proof that a rational woman consented to bind herself to you?”
“For a woman who came into my house in the middle of the night to beg me to spare her family, you are getting quite bold, Miss Arabella.”
“I assure you my boldness is directly proportioned to the absurdity of this conversation.”
“Then you will be delighted to know that the third occasion is nothing more than attending the wedding and, of course, the wedding breakfast after that.”
“And that would be all?”
“That is all I require. Appear as my wife on these three occasions, and you will have the safety and stability of your family.”
Arabella looked away for a few seconds, considering the offer. If it were just the three nights, she would have gladly agreed so that she could keep her family safe. But those three nights entailed that she would actually marry this man and seal her fate for the rest of her life.
“I agree to escort you as your wife for the outing with the Pembletons and your sister’s wedding. But what you are asking is for me to appear at these occasions as your wife. That role is generally permanent in our society.”
“It is mostly how a marriage works.”
“I am merely curious, Your Grace,” Arabella said evenly, “whether you do not find it somewhat drastic to enter into matrimony merely to secure company for an evening at the opera and attendance at a wedding. It is, after all, a permanent contract for a rather temporary necessity.”
“My reasons are my own,” the Duke growled. “The only thing I require from you is whether you agree to my terms or not.”
“Let us say that I agree,” Arabella said calmly. “I would love to hear what the plan is for our relationship after these occasions are concluded.”
“Afterward, you will be free. You will have a generous allowance, authority over the estate, and the obligation, when the need arises, to escort me to sociable functions. We can even live in separate houses. I do own property in Mayfair as well. There you can keep being the Sunshine of the Ton, with much more freedom and an expanded budget.”
“Sounds enchanting,” Arabella curled the word in frost.
“The only rule to this advantageous arrangement,” the Duke met her sarcasm and returned it tenfold, “is that you do not shame my name.”
“You are doing a delightful job yourself, Your Grace, in that matter.”
“A simple yes or no would suffice, Miss Arabella.”
No matter how much some would vehemently deny it, most young ladies of the town dream of their wedding. It was, after all, what society expected of them and the only dream they were allowed to make. Arabella did not give much thought to how she would eventually get married. Even so, not even the wildest imagination of the coldest marriage of convenience would ever conjure the conversation that had just taken place.
“Well, since this is such an advantageous proposition,” Arabella said, with sarcasm dripping off every word, “you will be delighted to know that I accept it. May I remind you of your side of the terms, which include the protection of my family?”
“Delighted is not the word I would use to explain my emotions right now. It is very prudent of you, Miss Arabella, to accept this proposal.”
“Since we are being delightful and prudent,” Arabella looked at the Duke, her look teasing, “is there anything else you would like to add to our agreement before we conclude this draining negotiation?”
The moment the challenge left her lips, she knew she had made a grave mistake. The air in the study immediately shifted; she could almost feel it on her skin. The Duke’s passive, indifferent mask cracked into a provocative smile. He began to close the distance between them, prowling toward her, his eyes completely focused on hers.
Arabella knew that the wisest thing to do was simply run. Instead, she stood her ground and lifted her chin. The defiance did not go unnoticed by the Duke.
“Tell me, Miss Arabella,” he said slowly, threateningly, “what possessed you to come into my house, alone, in the middle of the night?”
“I…” Arabella hated that she stuttered. “I came here to help my family.”
He took one step closer.
“You could have visited me in the morrow,” he challenged.
“I was afraid that it would be too late. That you would have somehow found a way to retaliate.”
“I see.” His voice dropped to a whisper that was somehow more deafening.
