“I very much am.”
She shook her head. “No, you can’t be! There is no way that… Why would you—This is a trick!”
“No trick,” he assured her. “It is, however, the best offer you are going to get. And once Mr. Ramsay spreads his gossip, likely the last.”
“But why?” she pressed, her breathing turned heavy, and her mind fracturing into a million little pieces such that she could not make sense of anything. “Why would you?—”
“My reasons are my own,” he interrupted sharply. “Nor do they concern you. All that should concern you is what will happen if you refuse me.”
“You planned this!” she accused.
“I can see why you might think that. But I assure you, it is not the case. My finding you was a coincidence. As to this offer…” He shrugged as if it were no big thing. “Let’s just say that I know an opportunity when it presents itself. Just as I know how to use it.”
Helena found herself taking a step back. And then another.
This couldn’t be happening.
As she stared in abject horror at the Duke, she struggled to decide what was worse. Her secret getting out or being forced to wed. As things stood for her, it was a very close call, neither of which she wanted to happen.
“No…” She shook her head, taking another step back. “I cannot. I… You cannot make me.”
“I don’t intend to make you,” he said with a frown. “I am trying to help you.”
“You are trying to help yourself!” she cried, not knowing who she was angry at. Mr. Ramsay, the Duke, or herself.
That’s a lie. It’s me and me alone who deserves the brunt of my fury.
“I don’t believe you.”
“Lady Helena, if you will only listen?—”
“No!” she shouted, then turned and fled the library.
It was not the most clever thing she had ever done, nor was there any logic behind it. But Helena was not thinking straight; her entire world was falling around her. She needed to escape, regroup, and think! She had to get away.
She stumbled out of the library and into the hallway, not knowing where she was going. Not that it made a difference. No sooner was she in the hallway than she found herself in yet another disastrous situation.
“There she is!” Mr. Ramsay cried, pointing a finger at her. “See! I told you as much, did I not!”
Her eyes widened, and she came to a screeching halt. Body flushed. Hardly able to catch her breath. She stumbled and just about tripped, backing up because accompanying Mr. Ramsay were five guests from the ball. And they were all looking at her.
“The Duke!” Mr. Ramsay declared proudly. “He was in the library with her, alone! No doubt he is there right now! Doing what? I will let your imaginations piece that together!”
That was when the Duke strode out of the library and into the hall. “Lady Helena, if you will just—” He pulled up the second he noticed the crowd.
For the first time since she saw him, he was not a bastion of unwavering confidence. His blue eyes widened, he sucked through his teeth, and he took a step back as if he meant to flee, before discarding that pointless notion.
And all the while, the small crowd watched on, whispers already starting, looks of shock, horror, and disgust painting each face. Except for Mr. Ramsay, who could not have looked more pleased with himself. Oh, how he gloated.
The final trap was set and sprung, a scandal was wandered into willingly, rumors were set to spread, and Helena’s life was sure to end. Unless…
Desperation washing over her, Helena turned and looked at the Duke as an understanding passed silently between them. And as was often the case, it seemed that the Duke of Hawthorne was about to get his way.
CHAPTER 4
“Ican explain!” Helena stammered, turning away from the Duke and facing the small crowd that was still staring at her in a state of both shock and fury. “Please, let me explain.”
“Oh, do explain!” Mr. Ramsay stepped forward, hands on his hips, the glee he found shining through. “I am sure we would love to hear it.”
