“I’m telling you I won’t,” he rolled his eyes at her. “Not that I can't.”
Hah.He was trying to be clever about it now. But Charity felt blinded by the urgency she felt. In her mind, this was heronlychance.
“I will pay you,” she said sharply. “I can give you money. If you want money, I have it.”
“No,” Duncan laughed at that.
“Then land,” she said. “I can give you lands. Estates. I can grant you property, holdings… whatever you want, you can name it.”
Duncan’s eyes narrowed slightly in irritation.
“You cannot bribe me, woman.”
Charity felt panic claw up her throat. Sure, he was a duke himself and not in need of money like an average man would be. Running out of options, she did something unexpected. She stepped forward and grabbed his hand.
Duncan went still instantly, as Charity’s fingers wrapped around his. His hand was warm, larger than hers and she tightened her grip and pulled just enough to force him to look at her properly.
“You look at me and you listen. I will give you anything you desire.Anything.But you must help me.”
Duncan’s eyes dropped to her hand on his and Charity’s breath caught because the expression on him changed in a way. He turned slowly toward her.
“Do you know what you just said?”
“Yes,” she said, though the truth was she understood only halfway. It did not matter, though, as long as it got her what she wanted.
Duncan stepped toward her, and immediately she took a startled step back. But Duncan did not relent and backed her up against the wall. Her mind was racing with the sudden realization that she had walked into something dangerous without meaning to.
Duncan’s eyes stayed locked on hers, and he was too close now.
“Never say that to a man again,” he said. “Never, in your life, offer ‘anything you desire’ the way you just did. You have no idea how that comes across.”
“I didn’t…” Charity’s cheeks burned.
“You did,” Duncan cut in. “And you did it with your hand on me. If you think men wouldn’t take that as an invitation, you’re either naïve or reckless.”
“I…” she sighed, feeling helpless now. “I just wish to make a deal with you.”
“And how serious are you about holding up your end of the terms?” he demanded, scrutinizing her. “Of this deal?”
“Depends,” she swallowed quickly. “What is it that you want?”
“I do want something,” he admitted, looking as though he was making a rather difficult decision.
“What is it?” In this moment, Charity was willing to give her whatever material thing he demanded.
“I need a wife and an heir.”
Charity went still.Thatwas not what she had expected to hear. Marriage was exactly what her uncle had tried to force on her. But marriage to a Scottish duke would change everything. It would place her under the protection of a title stronger than her uncle’s.
But…
It would also bind her to Duncan, a man she didn’t know.
“Fine,” Charity said before she could change her mind. “I shall provide you with both of those things.”
Duncan’s brows drew together slightly, and for the first time, she saw an expression on his face that looked like genuine surprise. They exchanged a glance, before Duncan spoke again.
“Fine. We leave early tomorrow morning.”
