Page 84 of The Duke and the Runaway Bride

“What is that supposed to mean?” Beatrice asked. “I already apologized for my mistake, and I promised it would not happen again.”

“No, it is not that,” the Duke replied. He rolled onto his side, keeping his body close but not on top of her. “I am not angry at you but at Miss Jennings.”

“Miss Jennings!” Beatrice spat. “Did she come here while I was gone? Did she think she could have you because I was not here? If she did, I will make her regret it.”

“No. Well, yes and no. She did not come here while you were away. She came to me at the gala after we kissed.”

“What? Why didn’t you tell me?” Beatrice scowled.

“I didn’t want to worry you,” Edwin replied.

Beatrice wanted to resume what they had been doing, but she was not feeling like it anymore. “And now you have worried me more by keeping it from me.”

“You snuck out and kept it from me,” Edwin shot back.

“That’s not fair.”

“Nothing is fair,” the Duke groaned. “I’m only trying to protect you—to protect us.”

Beatrice sighed and looked up at the sheer fabric covering the top of his four-poster bed. “What did she want? What is she threatening us with now?”

“She wants me to divorce you,” the Duke revealed.

“What?” Beatrice had not expected that, and it shocked her. “Divorce?”

“Yes,” the Duke sighed.

“And?” Beatrice prompted, becoming worried.

“And I said I would not.”

“All right,” Beatrice murmured. But she was still worried. “And what did she threaten you with? What story will she invent this time?”

“She won’t invent one,” the Duke said solemnly.

Beatrice held her breath, her heart sinking to her stomach.

“She claims she has proof that you snuck out of the estate dressed as a man. I would not believe a word she says, but that is exactly what you did.”

“I’ve ruined it all,” she moaned.

She wanted to cry, but she would not allow herself. She sniffed quickly and put her mind to work. She needed to fight. She had let down the Duke once by sneaking out, but she would not let him down a second time. “What proof does she have? Was that her in the tavern, or did she send someone? Had she been following me?”

“I have no idea,” the Duke said. “She did not reveal her proof to me, but I know she has one.”

“All this to ruin me for stealing you from her,” Beatrice huffed.

“Not quite,” the Duke said. “She wants me to divorce you and then marry her. She informed me I could save face and be rid of you and the problems you bring.”

When Beatrice thought about it, she realized a startling truth.

“Well, she is right,” she admitted. “It would solve all of your problems, wouldn’t it? You wouldn’t have to deal with Miss Jennings attacking you, and you wouldn’t have to worry about the sabotage from the inside.”

“Sabotage from the inside? You are not sabotaging me,” the Duke claimed.

“I already have, haven’t I? And I can’t promise it will not happen again. You must have already learned that, Edwin. If you hitch your wagon to my horse, I will only bring you down.”

“Don’t say that.” Edwin placed a hand on her cheek and leaned in to kiss her.

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