Page 43 of A Bride for the Cruel Duke

“Excuse me?”

“Pretending that you are something you are not,” she said. “Being nice to me when I know how hard it must be for you. I have agreed to your proposition, and I will keep my promise. So please, all of this…” She gestured vaguely around them. “It is not necessary.”

Despite himself, Anthony actually laughed. “You don’t trust me very much do you?”

“You haven’t given me a reason to.”

“Fair enough,” he agreed. “But not everything I do is some ploy or trick or game. I asked if you were enjoying your food because I wished to make sure you were, because I was serious last night when I told you I didn’t want this marriage to be a barrage of argument and hostility.”

“Oh…”

“I know what people say about me,” Anthony continued, raising an eyebrow at Caroline, which had her looking away. “And where some of it might be true…” He sighed and shook his head, his stomach turning because he hated being forced to remember his past. “Most of it is only rumor. Exaggerated rumor, at that.”

Surprisingly, Caroline did not attack him back. She appeared chastised, even embarrassed, and looked away. “I am sorry,” she said softly. “I did not mean...”

He sighed. “It is fine. Just know, you do not have to distrust everything I do.”

She rolled her eyes. “Only once the sun drops, is that right?”

“You make me sound like some sort of vampire.”

“Oh, most certainly not.” She smiled to herself, eyes flicking at him. “A vampire would be much better company.”

There was humor in her tone and a glimmer behind her eyes, which told Anthony that she was joking. That finally she was beginning to relax around him. He laughed at the joke and shook his head.

“Speaking of, tonight,” he then began. “I hope you have no plans.”

“I do not,” she said. “In fact, my entire next few weeks are free.”

“Good,” he said. “Once evening sets in, you are to meet me in the main dining room. Looking your best, I do not think it needs to be said.”

“The dining room?” She tilted her head.

“We are to have a feast,” he explained. “As part of my endeavor to...” He chuckled to himself, realizing how foolish it all sounded in the light of day. “To prove that you can stand to be around me, for want of a better description.”

“We will have to work on the phrasing,” she snorted as she went back to her plate of food. This time, she cut into the cold pork and took a bite, and he watched as she grimaced to chew and swallow. It was clear that she did not enjoy it. What was not clear was why she didn’t say anything.

Strange that she can be so shy and well behaved in one instant and so rebellious in another. Is it only me who brings out that side of her? Or is it always there, and she just needs a push?

Whatever it was, Anthony supposed he would find out tonight. A night that despite himself, he was looking forward to. But not because tonight might see him bed his wife as his more amorous side wished to do. Rather, it was a chance to do as he promised, and as he suspected she wanted. To get to know one another better.

How very strange that such a concept might excite him. Although that just spoke to the nature of this marriage, a most strange affair indeed.

ChapterFifteen

As Caroline dressed for supper, she could smell the intoxicating aromas drifting from downstairs. Indeed, all afternoon she had been able to smell them building so that by the time that she was ready for this feast which Anthony had planned for her, she was famished. What was more, she was excited.

She was also nervous.I should not be. No matter what Anthony has planned for me, or what he tries, I am not going to give in to him. I have more self-control than that.

Their breakfast had been on her mind all day. It stood in stark contrast to every other time the two had spoken or spent time together, such that she was both confused and intrigued all in one. Was that the real Anthony? Not the monster, the beast, the Cruel Duke as he was known. Rather, a kind, generous man who seemed to only want what was best.

No... it was all a game to him. He was trying to trick her, is what. He had his plan, his goal in mind, and he would not hesitate to act as he thought he needed so that she would break. And once he was done, he would do as she feared. He would discard her and pretend that she did not exist.

I will not break. I cannot, no matter what he tries... or what I feel.

It was thus that she made her way downstairs once evening set in, determined to get through tonight while being on her guard.

“There she is.” Anthony was in the dining room, waiting for her. He stood by the doorway, blocking the table from view. “I was just about to send for you.”

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