Page 31 of A Bride for the Cruel Duke

Violet shrugged. “He is. I am only marrying him because he has agreed to help cover some of our family’s debts, and he is only marrying me because he thinks he must do for the sake of his name and title.” She snorted. “There is no love there and we do not pretend otherwise.”

“Why are you...?” Caroline studied her sister, not understanding why she was being so upbeat and positive about what was undoubtedly a tragic happenstance. “Why are you telling me this?”

“When Roderick came to me and told me he wished for my hand, I was blunt with him.” She giggled. “I asked him what he wanted from this marriage and Roderick, ever the not-so-subtle type, told me exactly. A marriage of convenience, he called it. He does not want an heir. He does not want companionship.

He wants my name on a slip of paper and that is all.” She shrugged again. “And to be honest with you, I was thrilled when he told me so. It did away with expectation and allowed me to approach this marriage with a clear mind. I know what he is, what is to be expected, and now that I do, I am looking forward to it.”

“You... you are?”

“It might be nice if he cared for me,” she laughed. “But knowing what he wants has saved me the pain of learning through trial and error. In this life, Caroline, we rarely get what we want. The best we can do is be as prepared as is possible. Now...” She looked right at Caroline, her expression hardening. “What does His Grace want?”

“I...” Caroline considered the question.

Initially, her mind went where it had been going these past few days. Those times where she was not lamenting in self-pity and hating her circumstances, where she had allowed herself to get lost in those few seconds that should have made her feel self-disgust but brought lust instead.

The kiss they had shared. The passion that had erupted between them. How had he done that to her?And why did I enjoy it so much when I know that I should not?

It was dangerous to think, she knew. And it would be better if she did not feel this way at all. Certainly safer. As to what she might do about it... there was good reason she felt so confused and unsure.

“I do not know,” she said finally. “The man is stone, you know this. How am I to know what he desires?”

“Then find out,” Violet said. “Ask the man what he wants. Better, decide for yourself what you want and then make sure that he knows it. Do not go into this marriage having to guess. Make it clear and you will be all the happier.”

The advice was smart, if not fraught with danger. “And what if he doesn’t tell me? Or what if we don’t want the same thing?”

“As I said, we rarely get what we want in this life, Caroline. And seeing as he has already taken from you so much, the least you could do for yourself is stand your ground. Trust me when I say you will be better off.”

Caroline studied her sister closely, seeing her in a way she never had before. Caring. Kind. Concerned. They had never been close, but this marriage of hers had bonded them in a strange way and she realized that Violet was, above all things, an ally. This realization alone made her smile.

“Thank you, Violet.” She crossed the room and hugged her. “For everything.”

“What are big sisters for?” Violet said. “Now, go and fetch Mother before she has a fit,” she then giggled. “And, as to what we just spoke about...”

“I don’t even remember it,” Caroline said with a knowing wink as she turned to fetch their mother, flooded with a new sense of purpose now that had her smiling.

ChapterEleven

Anthony found himself standing in the back corner of the drawing room, glass of whiskey in hand, free of company in ways that were all too familiar. There must have been over two dozen people spread across the room, drinking and chatting merrily as they reminisced on what was for them a splendid weekend.If only I could share the same thought.

Anthony had no love for the nickname that had been bestowed upon him by his peers. The Cruel Duke… given to him for reasons that were not true—of course they are not—even if he refused to correct them because he would not be seen to beg and plead and explain. That was beneath him entirely.

However, it was times like this one where he could see the advantages of being thought of as such, as it allowed him peace and quiet during a time when he needed it the most.

Thoughts of Lady Hawkins were what clouded his mind this evening, as they had done continuously since he had first come upon her on the side of the road. That first day, she had annoyed him more than anything, set it seemed on frustration because she was apparently unable to control her wandering mind or her ever-wagging tongue.If only that was where it had ended.

Now, they were engaged. Now, they were set to spend the rest of their lives together. As to how Anthony was feeling about this…that remains to be seen, but if these last few days are any indication, it is not something to look forward to.

Typically, it was as this thought settled upon his broad shoulders that Anthony spied Lady Caroline making her way through the crowd and straight for him. Her jaw was set. Her brow was tight. She looked determined. And when she caught him watching her, she did not balk and turn and flee—at this point, he wouldn’t have expected it. Instead, she stood that little bit taller as if to warn him off trying to avoid her.

Despite his efforts to appear unconcerned at the sight of her, Anthony felt his chest tighten just that little bit as memories of the previous evening returned to him. That kiss… neither what he had expected, nor wanted, but a moment which had stuck with him… which still lingered on his lips in ways that made him squirm.

“We need to talk,” she said as soon as she was close enough to be heard.

Anthony took a sip of his whiskey. “Is that right?”

She nodded, suddenly seeming unsure. “We do.”

“And of what reason do we need to talk?”

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