Page 48 of Her Runaway Duke
“There is speculation that I have been taken against my will or run away with a lover. Are you concerned that if I am discovered, you might be blamed?”
He hadn’t considered that yet, which was foolish for it was a very valid concern, but he shrugged his shoulders.
“So be it. You will be there to disagree with them.”
“Of course,” she said, although she was obviously still troubled. “Although I would have to explain that I ran from my wedding, and if I am discovered…” she looked up at him with tears and worry swimming in her eyes, her next words on a whisper, “what if I am forced to return to him? To Lord Mulberry?”
He gripped her shoulders tightly. “I will never let that happen.”
“How could you prevent it? My parents made an agreement with him. There was a dowry. I have no power to walk away. You might be a duke, but in this, you would be unable to stop them.”
“If it came to that…” he said, closing his eyes as he gritted his teeth, not wanting to make her any promises but knowing he would do anything it took to prevent her from marrying another man, especially one like Mulberry, “then I would marry you myself.”
Siena blinked at his words,trying to understand exactly what he was saying.
“Levi, did you just… propose marriage to me?” she asked.
“No,” he said, holding up a finger between them. “I simply meant that if it came down to you having to marry Lord Mulberry, then I would marry you first.”
“I see,” she said as dejection filled her at his words. He didn’t want her, not for the rest of their lives. When he had said he was living in the moment, he truly meant it.
“Siena, what are you thinking right now?” he asked, reaching out and taking her chin between his fingers.
She saw no reason not to be honest.
“I am thinking about the fact that you do not want me as I want you. That you do not feel the same emotions for me as I do for you.”
He leaned forward, intent upon her.
“How much I want you and what I can offer you are two incredibly different things,” he said. “Do not get them confused. The truth is, I want you very, very much, in every way possible.”
“Then why—” she began, bewildered.
“Because the life I have to give you is not the one you deserve.”
“Is that not up for me to decide?”
He stood back, crossing his arms over his chest for a moment as he remained silent, contemplative. “We shall see how long it is until you are finished with me and ready to return to the world you knew – or one better than it. I do promise you that while you are here, I will do all I can to keep you happy.”
She regarded him, contemplating his words, wondering if there was more she could say, but eventually she simply nodded her head. “One day at a time.”
As it happened,neither of them had to choose.
Later that afternoon, they were sitting in the library, each lost in their own book. Levi appreciated that with Siena, there was never a need to fill the quiet with mindless chatter, and yet he had a feeling that they were both uncertain of what to say, for neither of them were sure of just what direction to take next.
The butler interrupted them, his austere face wrinkled in consternation.
“Your Grace,” he began before clearing his throat as though he was concerned about continuing.
“Yes, Thornbury?”
“It appears we have guests.”
“Guests?” Levi repeated as he and Siena exchanged a glance. “Who?”
“I am actually not entirely sure. Collins spotted the carriage coming down the drive and thought it best to advise you before they arrived.”
Levi moved purposefully to the front of the house, sensing Siena hurrying behind him trying to keep up. He knew he should slow but he couldn’t seem to prevent his legs from their long, fast strides.
