Jane also stepped back and he noticed this time, likely surmising that she might be afraid of him and he stepped back.
“Why should I trust you?” she queried reluctantly. “This seems too convenient – too good to be true. I do not know what your child needs but it is rather odd that you would have to marry to meet those needs. Even more so that you wish for it to be a short marriage. What if I am unable to help in the time I am meant to? What happens then?”
“We will go our separate ways, regardless of the outcome. I understand your hesitation but I am a man of my word. In addition, you may ask whatever you want of me afterwards, along with the dissolution of our marriage afterwards and I will give it to you.” He stated grimly.
Jane would rather not get married at all, but if he were really telling the truth… there was a child somewhere who needed help. Badly enough for his father to desire a marriage born of convivence.
“I do not wish to get married at all,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
He heard her anyway, nodding curtly. “I gathered that. I promise, this will not feel like a marriage at all. You will have your freedom – within reason, because I am sure you do not wish to have the ton gossiping about you in any case. But whatever you wish for, whatever you need will be yours. All that I really want is for my son to receive what he needs. Please.”
The pain in her leg had faded somewhat and Jane couldn’t help but feel as though her mental faculties had been weakened. Because she had began to consider it a little bit more than she wanted to.
If he meant everything he had said... if truly she was not at risk of losing anything and after three months, it would be over...
“Three months?” Jane asked once more, just to be sure.
“Only three months. And then we will have the marriage dissolved,” he nodded immediately.
Moments later, Jane found herself nodding along helplessly.
“All right. I will marry you.”
CHAPTER FOUR
The ride back to the church was wrought with tense silence.
Once Jane agreed, the duke felt there was no need to indulge in further delays, so he stated that they were to promptly return to the church to be wed.
Jane had not imagined that she would be headed back so soon to willingly partake in the very same act that she had been so determined to avoid initially.
He had not said anything more to her as he took them back to the church, and when they arrived, he dismounted swiftly, and helped her down right after.
Onlookers were already surprised and fascinated to see him, but when they recognized her as the bride-to-be, the whispers grew in volume.
“Is that the bride? She looks quite timid to be paired with the Duke of Ravencroft.”
“Any woman would look far too timid by his side. He really is a terrifying sight to behold.”
“I thought the bride had arrived earlier. Why are they together now?”
The duke ignored the chatter and marched forward, leaving her to walk briskly in an effort to stay by his side. Jane expected to hear some of the people speaking about her disappearance, but it seemed that none of them had noticed she was missing at all.
Unfortunately, the same could not be said about her father, whose eyes locked with hers as soon as she stepped into the church. Arthur’s gaze was filled with so much wrath, Jane would not be surprised if she went up in flames from his scrutiny.
As he approached her, she felt herself shift closer to the duke who appeared to be looking for someone as well. Jane hoped he would leave before her father dole out the humiliating scolding she knew was on its way, but at the same time, she found herself wishing for the warmth of his body to remain by her side.
Arthur was in front of her in no time, a thick vein in his neck throbbing as he parted his lips to undoubtedly snap loudly at her.
“Where have you been, you ungrateful —”
“She was with me,” the duke spoke up swiftly, cutting Arthur off. “I wished to have a word with my bride before we were wed, to ensure that we have a mutual understanding. I was the one who caused the delay of the ceremony. My apologies.”
Jane had never seen her father pale so fast. The older man cleared his throat and shook his head.
“Oh no, Your Grace. I am sure you had your reasons. It is quite fine,” he glanced at Jane. “I was simply concerned that my daughter might hinder your efforts. She is rather stubborn and undisciplined, this one —”
“Lord Highclere, you are speaking of the soon to be duchess of Ravencroft. You would do well to hold your tongue, lest it put you in dire situations. I will not have you disrespect and demean my future wife.” The duke stated with the same calm air he had carried all evening, but his tone was sharp.
