Page 87 of A Deal for the Duke’s Virgin

“Then why don’t you tell me the truth, instead of making cryptic statements and expecting me to drop the matter?”

“I do not want children.”

“Why not?” She felt like screaming in irritation. “You’re a duke. You need an heir. Why are you so obstinate?”

He closed his eyes. “Very well. Here is the truth. When I was a young man, I had an affair with a servant. Her name was Sophie. We had a child, a son. I planned to marry her and informed my father of it. You can imagine how he reacted. He forbade me to marry and sent Sophie and my son away. They were to be kept safe and comfortable on the understanding that I would not disgrace the family by searching for them. I did not agree, but Sophie did. She was a clever girl, and perhaps she understood the predicament that we were in more than I did. At any rate, it did not matter. There was a carriage accident on the way to Scotland, and she and the baby were killed.”

Thalia’s shoulders sagged.

“Oh,” she breathed. “Oh, that’s awful.”

“Yes, it is,” he whispered softly. “Except Laura believes that they did not die. It makes sense that my father would lie to me. He knew that I could not be kept from them, so faking their deaths would have seemed like a good ploy. That was why Laura went to Scotland. She was looking for them. Sophie is dead, but there is no sign of my son. He likely died, too. They did not die in a carriage accident, but since they are dead now, they might as well have. I’ll never see them, never have a chance to make amends.”

Thalia swallowed. “I’m sorry, Christian.”

He shrugged. “It hardly matters. I don’t want another child. I had a child. And I don’t…” he trailed off, shaking his head tightly.

“What?” she prompted as gently as she could.

He breathed out slowly. “I won’t fail another child. I’m sorry, Thalia.”

“I see,” she managed flatly.

He returned his gaze to her and gave a tired smile. “You look beautiful, Thalia. Whatever gown you choose will be perfect.” Turning to the modiste, he called, “She can choose whatever she wants. Send the bill to me.”

Without another word, he strode out the door, leaving Thalia alone and reeling.

CHAPTER 24

TWO WEEKS LATER

Thalia watched as the rich brocade wedding gown was carefully wound around her. It suited her. The modiste hadn’t been overly flattering when she said that green was a good color for her or that the heavy brocade looked very good on her.

It still doesn’t feel like my dress, though.

She supposed that was normal. After all, she didn’t feel like a bride. This didn’t feel like her wedding day, not in the least.

And yet here she was. The news had spread. The invitations had been sent. And now, the day was here.

She closed her eyes briefly.

I ought to be happy. Not many brides get to think of their grooms with the same prickling desire that I feel. But I’m not happy.

How could she be happy? Christian didn’t want to marry her.

The story of the maid, Sophie, and their child made her chest ache. None of them deserved such an ending.

If they hadn’t died, I wonder what Christian’s life would be like now. Would he have married Sophie in the end? Would they, even now, be happy and domestic in some quiet Scottish village?

There certainly wouldn’t have been any room for Thalia in Christian’s life. No room at all.

Laura, who’d been styling Thalia’s hair, took a step back and then gave an approving nod. “Yes, that’s perfect, I think. Perfect.”

Thalia made herself smile. It mustn’t have convinced Laura because her smile faded.

“You aren’t happy, Thalia?”

I turn three-and-twenty today. Does that count? It doesn’t matter. I can’t fight for much longer.