Page 6 of Wedded to the Beastly Duke
He raised an eyebrow. “Am I?”
“Papa,” Emmeline said, determined to fight until her last breath. “Surely you cannot think to put your daughter through this distress.”
Her father spread his hands. “She has three days to come to terms with it. It is an excellent match.”
“What does a dukedom matter if she will be miserable?”
“Emmy,” her sister sobbed. “Please.”
“What about you, Your Grace?” Emmeline asked, turning to the Duke. “Do you care about my sister at all?”
“Why should I?” the Duke asked, sounding bored. “It is hardly necessary for a man to harbor affection for his wife.”
It would not be polite of her to launch herself at him and gouge his eyes out, but that was what she felt like doing. Her hands shook with rage as she stared at him. “If that is how you feel about the subject, why not take me instead? I am the older sister.”
Her mother gasped, and her father stepped forward, but she kept her gaze on the Duke. His cold eyes rested on her face for a dispassionate moment before he made a dismissive gesture.
“It matters not who I marry so long as she has a dowry.”
Aurelia’s shoulders shook. “You cannot sacrifice yourself for me, Emmy. Youcannot.”
The Duke looked at her with distaste. “I dislike crying,” he clipped. “And overly emotional women. So long as you obey my rules and do your duty as my duchess, then I have no objection to marrying you in your sister’s stead, Lady Emmeline.”
Her mother fell back into her chair, fanning her face and flushed chest. Emmeline continued to glare at the Duke. If he did not want an overly emotional wife, then he would not have one, but that did not mean he would be pleased with the alternative.
“Your Grace,” the Earl stammered out, “are you satisfied with this arrangement?”
“If I were not, I would have said so.” The Duke’s gaze returned to Emmeline. “You may hate me all you like in private, but you will be civil and respectful in public. Do you understand?”
“Perfectly,” Emmeline said.
“I shall require utter obedience in certain matters. Is that understood?”
“I said so the first time, Your Grace.”
There was no hint of a smile on his icy countenance as he nodded once, sharply. “Then I believe the matter is settled. I shall take my leave. Sunton, have a marriage contract drawn up. I shall sign it forthwith.”
With a sharp nod that managed to convey nothing but derision, he strode out of the room.
Emmeline immediately rose and slammed the door shut after him, not caring if he heard. After all, he did not concern himself with the opinions of others, so she would do nothing to secure his good opinion.
In fact, the worse he thought of her the better; then he would be less inclined to spend time with her once they were married.
“Emmeline!” Her mother had recovered enough to sit up, but there were tears in the corners of her eyes. “Good heavens, girl, are you in your right mind? How could you offer yourself up to that awful man? And against your father’s will?”
“Quite easily,” Emmeline said coolly.
“You cannot!” Aurelia wailed. “He will be so cruel to you for speaking to him so boldly.”
“Any crueler than he was for demanding someone so unwilling marry him anyway?I will collect my bride-to-be in three days,” Emmeline mocked, puffing out her chest and putting her hands on her hips, imitating his deep voice. “He was insufferable!”
“He is a duke,” her mother said weakly.
“Does that make him any less proud or egotistical?” Emmeline demanded. “Or in any way less prone to the flaws that other men suffer from? I do not think so.”
“What are you going to do?” Aurelia asked, wiping her eyes and taking a shuddering breath.
“Why, I am going to marry him, of course,” Emmeline said scornfully. “What else am I to do?”
