Page 36 of A Bride for the Cruel Duke

“This is...” He clicked his tongue. “Highly irregular. And the truth is, I thought better of you. I had hoped that you would be more...” He groaned. “Well behaved than this.”

“I am!”

“I find it curious…” The duke considered her for a moment. “That’s twice now you have come to me, determined to find out what I want from this marriage, but not once have you told me what you want.”

“What I want…” She frowned, caught by surprise from the question. “What do you mean?”

“As I said. I have told you that I want peace and quiet, which as things currently stand, look to be the opposite of what I have signed up for.” He breathed out sharply. “But what do you want?”

“I told you,” she said. “A marriage of convenience.”

“Which means what, exactly?” he followed up. “Do you intend to spend our entire marriage ignoring me? Fighting with me? Perhaps moving to the stables so you can avoid me altogether?” He chuckled at the notion. “I told you that when we are married, you will be free to do as you wish, but not once have you even suggested what that might look like. So, I ask you again…” The duke sat up and leaned forward and Caroline felt herself pulling back, careful not to let him get too close. “What do you want?”

The question should not have been so surprising. And it certainly should not have caused such shock. But it did. Growing up as she had, Caroline wasneverasked what she wanted, or given much thought to at all, because nobody ever seemed to care. It was so commonplace that in her mind it was normal. At least it had been.

Is this some sort of trick? A misdirection? Why does the Cruel Duke of all people give a damn about me and what I want?

“I… I don’t… I just want… a marriage of convenience,” she said stupidly.

“Yes, you said that already,” the duke sighed. “Which could mean any one of a dozen things. Personally, I suggest that you give it some thought so the next time you attack me like this, you might be better prepared.”

What did Caroline want? Truly, she could not say. She knew what she didn’t want—a marriage like what her parents had experienced. But what did shewant? What could she even expect from a marriage like this? She had no idea.

“Is there anything else?” the duke then asked.

She looked at him blankly. There had been. Her reason for coming here in the first place, that purpose had not been properly addressed. Only now, it felt redundant, her mind awash with a new question to which she could not fathom an answer.

“As I thought…” The duke leaned around her and popped open the carriage door. “I suggest you hurry, before anyone notices your absence.”

“Yes…” She nodded vaguely, climbing from the carriage.

“And Lady Hawkins…” The duke smiled, but she could not tell if it was genuine or meant to intimidate. “I will be seeing you shortly.”

With the carriage door closed, Caroline gave her head a shake and was then quick to rush back around the chapel and into the room where her mother was still waiting for her. Luckily, before her mother had a chance to chastise her, the duke’s arrival was announced, and she was being rushed into the chapel to start the ceremony.

Still, her mind was back in that carriage, unable to pull herself away from the question which the duke had asked her. What did Caroline want? She was not a romantic. She was not looking for a love match. Again, those were things she did not want. Not what she wanted.Why is this question so hard to answer?

That was until she saw His Grace standing at the end of the aisle waiting for her. He turned back and met her eyes, and her heart began to pound once more, just as her skin flushed, just as her legs shook. What did she want? In that moment, Caroline knew for fact that she wanted her husband… not, however, for reasons that any would dare misconstrue as being romantic or love inclined. Then again, that was the entire problem.

ChapterThirteen

“So, this is my new life,” Caroline said to herself as she wandered across her bedroom. It was the night of the wedding, she had arrived home less than an hour ago, sent to her room because the duke had had a long day and did not wish for supper. He had made sure to inform her that if she wished for it, she could ask the staff to fetch her some food, but there was no indication that he wished to join her.

Despite how short he had been with her, Caroline also felt relieved. This right here was further proof that the duke had not been lying to her, giving her some hope that at least she would not have to fight against her own pesky temptations.

Caroline was quick to undress for bed, choosing a simple shift to wear from her still-to-be unpacked luggage.I will have the staff help me with it tomorrow. Or perhaps I shall do it myself? It is not like I will have anything else to do.The room was bare, save for her bed, a couch by the fireplace, and a desk for writing. It did not feel like home yet, but she supposed that would change.

With nothing to do, Caroline decided to turn in for bed, only for a knock at the door to have her stiffening. She stood in the middle of the room, turned to face the door, her heart rate rising because she guessed who was on the other side, but couldn’t imagine what for.

“Are you decent?” her husband’s voice spoke through the closed door.

What is he doing?Caroline looked about the empty room as if she meant to run. There was nowhere to go. Nowhere to hide. Just her and her alone. Again, she remembered the last time the two were alone like this, and where that had led to. Surely, he was not here for that? But then whatwashe here for?

“Your Grace,” the duke spoke again. “Are you decent?”

She had no choice. Even if she did, what difference would it make? She was married to the man now, trapped under his roof, and this right here was but the first time of what she was sure would be many instances of them being alone together. Likely, he just wished to make sure she had everything she needed.But what if...No. She shook her head and dispelled that notion.

“Come in,” she said softly, standing up tall and doing what she could to appear composed.

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