Page 80 of A Bargain with the Rakish Duke
Eastfold narrowed his eyes at her and roughly gripped her arm. “Come now, Your Grace, let’s be reasonable. Haven’t you facedenough scandal with your brother’s unfortunate business? Do you really want to add to that?”
His words were like a knife twisting in her gut. Beatrice flinched, but Eastfold pressed on, his voice a silky poison.
“Besides, who does my selling your art truly harm? You’ll still be creating, still expressing yourself. I’m merely offering you protection, a buffer between your talent and a world that wouldn’t understand. Think of the good we could do together, the heights your art could reach with my connections.”
Beatrice felt sick at his twisted logic, at how he tried to paint his blackmail as a kindness. “You’re manipulating me,” she spat, trying to pull away.
Eastfold’s grip on her arm only tightened, his smile turning cruel. “Manipulating? Such an ugly word. I prefer to think of it as… a mutually beneficial arrangement. But make no mistake, Your Grace. You don’t have a choice. Either you agree to my terms, or I will ruin you. It’s as simple as that.”
She stared at him, her mind racing, searching desperately for a way out, a solution to this impossible situation. But there was none. He had her trapped, cornered like a helpless animal, and she had no choice but to submit.
“What about Kenneth?” she asked, grasping at straws. “He’ll notice if suddenly all my paintings are being sold through you.”
Eastfold laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. “Oh, I’m sure we can come up with a convincing story. After all, isn’t that what you’ve been doing all along? Lying to your dear husband? What’s one more deception between a man and wife?”
His words cut deep, reminding her of the rift between her and Kenneth. She felt utterly alone with no one to turn to.
“Fine,” she relented at last, her voice hollow, defeated. “I’ll do as you say.”
He gave her a cold, triumphant smile. “I knew you’d see reason, Your Grace. You’re a smart woman, after all. This is for the best, truly. You’ll see.”
With that, he turned on his heel and strode out of the room, leaving her standing there, her world shattered, her dreams crumbling to dust around her.
Beatrice felt dirty, used, as if Eastfold’s touch had left an oily residue on her skin. She wanted to scrub herself clean, to erase the memory of this encounter, but she knew it would be impossible.
As the door closed behind him, she sank to the floor, her legs no longer able to support her. The weight of what had just happened, of the trap she now found herself in, threatened to crush her.
How had it come to this? How could she have let herself be so vulnerable? So exposed?
And worst of all, how could she face Kenneth now, knowing that she would have to lie to him again?
Beatrice was still reeling from Eastfold’s visit when she heard the front door open and the familiar sound of Kenneth’s footsteps in the foyer.
What will I say to him? How can I hide the truth?
She scrambled to her feet and took a deep breath, trying to compose herself as he entered the parlor. He looked tired, his usually impeccable appearance slightly disheveled.
“Beatrice,” he said, his voice weary. “I didn’t expect to find you here.”
Beatrice forced a smile, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. “Where else would I be, Kenneth? This is our home.”
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I know. I just thought… after everything that’s happened, you might prefer some space. That is, after all, what we agreed to.”
Space.
The word hung between them, heavy with unspoken meaning.
Beatrice swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. “And what about you? What do you prefer?”
Kenneth met her gaze, his eyes searching hers. For a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of hurt, a glimpse of the pain he kept so carefully hidden. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by a cool, distant expression.
“I’ve decided to return to Dunford,” he replied, his voice carefully neutral. “There are matters that require my attention there.”
Beatrice’s heart sank, a wave of panic washing over her.
If he goes back to Dunford, he’ll be away from London, away from Eastfold. But if I go with him, Eastfold will know something is wrong. He’ll suspect that I’ve told Kenneth the truth.
She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she knew she had to do. “I… I think I’ll stay here, in London. To continue my work as Westback.”
