Page 7 of His Highland Duchess
“A scandal is imminent,” he sighed. “Of that, there is no doubt. At best, I might be able to keep it hushed for a week or two – and you also, Sampson. I would appreciate any help you might give.”
“Of course.”
“When asked, you are to confirm that Miss Lennox and I are not strangers, and what we were found doing was not the result of a drunken tryst – Lady Marlow will be a problem, for you know how she gossips. But I trust our word will outweigh her own.”
“For a time,” Sampson agreed. “But then what? A week or two, maybe, but word will spread. It cannot be stopped.”
Margaret was still unable to look the duke directly in the eyes, so she did not see his reaction. But whatever it was, it had Catherine gasping. “Surely, you are na serious?”
“I am,” the duke said as Margaret snapped her head up to see what he spoke of. His brow was furrowed—serious, no nonsense—because this was not a situation to be made light of. “It is the only way.”
“There must be another,” Sampson said.
“Can you think of one?”
“It is too hasty,” Catherine argued. “As soon as it is announced, everyone will know the reason.”
“By which point it will make no difference,” the duke countered. “And that is the entire point. The rumors and the gossip will die like grapes on the vine, no point, no purpose, because we will control the narrative. It is the only way.”
“Excuse me.” Margaret scowled as the other three occupants of the room looked at her, each to the last acting as if they had forgotten that she was there. “What are ye talking ‘bout? What will make na difference? What narrative?”
“I thought that was obvious,” the duke said. “You and I are to marry at once.”
It was no exaggeration to say that the announcement struck Margaret like a hammer smashing into the side of a gong. The world seemed to shake. The walls of the room seemed to vibrate. Her stomach flipped and then rose through her mouth. And she might have collapsed, had she not had the good sense to try to maintain some sense of composure.
Marriage… to the duke? Surely, this was a joke? It had to be!
“N – na,” she stammered and shook her head. “That is nae –”
“We have no choice,” the duke spoke over her. “And do not fear, I will make all the arrangements. Applying for the license will be tricky, and in such a short time. But I think in two weeks, we should see this done.”
“So soon?” Catherine grimaced. “My father –”
“We will send word at once,” Sampson assured her. “Today, my fastest horse. Hopefully, that should give him, your mother, your brother, and your sister more than enough time to attend. It will be tight, but –”
“Nae!” Margaret cried out, cutting through the room. “I am sorry, but have ye all lost your minds?” She looked about the three with exasperation, and they looked at her as if she was the crazy one. “I cannae marry the duke! I… he… this is nae an option.”
“It is the only option,” the duke said stiffly, no emotion, resigned to this decision. “You have left us with no choice.”
“Me!” She widened her eyes at him, feeling that anger come upon her. “Ye are the one who –”
“Was asleep in his bedroom.”
“As ye say,” she snapped. “I still da nae believe it. I still think ye snuck in after I went to kip.”
He scoffed. “And why would I do such a thing?”
“Ye tell me.” She put her hands on her hips and glared fury. “Perhaps this is what ye wished for this whole time. Perhaps a scandal is exactly what ye are after.”
“Margaret….” Her sister warned her with a hiss.
“Na, Catherine.” She scowled at her sister and then went back to the duke. “I am sick of being treated like an imposition. Like a fool. He –” She pointed a finger at him. “ – accused me already of doing this on purpose. When it seems ta me that he is the one who has orchestrated this whole thing!”
She was expecting the duke to rise to temper. In truth, a part of her almost wanted him to. It was frustrating how calm and reasoned he was behaving, with no sense at all that what he was suggesting wasn’t the height of absurdity. It made her feel like she was losing her mind, for how could she not be?Why am I the only one who is panicked here?
“I understand that you are upset,” the duke began calmly. “And…” He clicked his tongue, grimacing. “And I apologize for what I accused you of earlier. I see now that there is little chance that you behaved on purpose.”
“Nae chance!”
