Page 7 of Three Nights with the Beastly Duke

“Have you always been so cold?” Lavinia asked, her dark eyes boring right into his.

A stillness passed over Arthur. Up until that moment, he’d been having a rather enjoyable time with their banter. But her invasive question brought him up short very quickly.

“Since the day I discovered the truth about love,” he replied, his tone flat. “It’s a pretty thing to think about, I know,” he continued. “But it is not real. You’ll be a better person for it if you just accept that. Trust me.”

Lavinia’s gaze softened, and the look of pity she gave him became so overwhelming that Arthur couldn’t help but look away.

“Either way, your sister will be well taken care of,” he told her, getting up to leave. “She may not have love, but she will be given anything else that she asks for. I’m sorry, Miss Dennis, but this weddingwillhappen. Even if my bride is less than thrilled about it.”

“Do you not have a younger sister as well?” Lavinia asked, her tone quickening as she, too, rose from her seat.

A protective surge went through Arthur, and he felt his muscles clench as he turned back to Lavinia. “What of her?” he asked warily.

“Do you not love her?” Lavinia asked. “Do anything for her?”

Arthur let out a slow breath through his nostrils, beginning to grow weary of this interaction. He was not used to being made to answer to anyone anymore. Especially by women.

“Yes, I do. Of course, I do,” Arthur admitted. “But that is familial love and entirely different than this imaginary romance your sister has concocted.”

“That’s not why I asked,” Lavinia replied quickly. “If she came to you, frightened of her new fiancé the way my Rebecca is frightened of you, could you still force her to marry the man?”

Something stirred inside of Arthur then. It was small and ill-used. Pity? Self-pity? He wasn’t sure, but he hated the sensation, nonetheless.

“She… she is frightened of me, then?” Arthur asked, turning to face Lavinia.

Lavinia pressed her full lips tightly together as if she weren’t sure if she should reply. “Yes, Your Grace,” she replied quietly as if trying to be as delicate as possible. “She is. So I ask you again. Please, call off the engagement.”

“So your family is saved, but mine is left rejected and left in the metaphorical mud that is London’s gossip,” Arthur countered. “I see your points, Miss Dennis, all of them. But it hardly seems fair to both of us.”

A look of relief came over Lavinia’s face, and she took a step closer to him. “Actually, Your Grace, I have an idea that would save both of our families from shame and still give you what you want,” she informed him. “Allow me to switch places with my sister.”

Despite the serious turn their conversation had taken, Arthur suddenly let out a laugh.

“You cannot be serious?” he asked, continuing to laugh.

“Why can I not be?” Lavinia asked, balling her fists and planting them on her hips.

“Because you are a spinster, Miss Dennis,” Arthur replied. “You may have made this choice, but in theton’sopinion, it is because no one will have you.”

“And thetonalso says that no one will have you,” Lavinia countered. “So, what if we created a contract that would prove them all around wrong? I may be a spinster, Your Grace, but aside from that, my reputation isglowing.My decorum and manners are praised by all, and there are many attributes I possess that could aid in multiple areas. You are not looking for a wife. I am not looking for a husband. Perhaps instead we could forge a powerful partnership.”

Arthur wanted to declare her idea a ridiculous notion, but the more Lavinia explained, the more it made sense. He knew Rebecca was frightened of him. He’d seen it on her face. But Lavinia, she didn’t avert her gaze from him, not once.

“Continue with your proposal,” Arthur urged, opening his mind a little more.

“Allow me three events,” Lavinia replied, her tone laced with excitement. “Three events to prove that I would be an easier match for you than my sister.”

“And after?” Arthur asked while moving closer to her. “You do realize that if the three events we attend go well, Iwillhave to marry you. Do you, as a woman who has sworn off marriage, truly believe that you can commit to such an act?” He took another step closer to her, their noses nearly touching. “Do you really think you can handle being the wife to the Beast of Whitekin?”

Lavinia’s eyes lowered to the ground for a moment, as if the weight of the reality was pushing down on her harder than expected. Then, she brought her eyes back up to him, her gaze full of determination, and nodded her head.

“Yes. Yes, I do,” she replied.

“And you are sure you are not afraid of me?” Arthur asked, lifting his fingers to her chin. The pads of his fingertips brushed across her buttery soft skin, sending a shiver of desire through him that he didn’t expect.

“I am sure,” Lavinia whispered, keeping her eyes on him.

“Very well then,” Arthur murmured, his gaze dropping to her full lips. “Three events. You may have them. If you can seal our deal with a kiss. If you can do this, I will know that you are serious.”

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