Page 28 of Married to the Ruthless Duke

It wasn’t a crime. In fact, it was intuitive to attempt to break free of a forced marriage. And her plan was…

“That’s a big offense, Helen.”

“I would do anything for your forgiveness.”

“Anything?” he breathed.

Her lips parted, and he knew she was affected by their distance, or lack thereof, as much as he was.

“Spend three nights with me.”

No woman was as quick to anger as Helen was. “You might be a duke, but you have no right to?—”

“You misunderstand me. I am not inviting you to my bed.” Her eyes searched his face for some iota of sincerity. “First, let’s sit down.”

ChapterSeven

Helen had to make a conscious effort to close her mouth. She could not believe he just said that. Of course, she was not oblivious to the fact that in recent times, he had made advances towards her, but he had never been this brazen before. If he had been aiming to shock her, he had definitely succeeded, and the smirk on his face showed that he was satisfied with the effect his declaration had on her.

“I can sense the direction your mind has taken. You have a dirty one, do you?” he said, with a mocking smirk on his face.

Well, when he said he wanted her to spend three nights with him, what was she supposed to think? Virile young men definitely did not invite young ladies to spend three nights simply to make conversation with them. She would agree that she might be naive, but surely she was notthatnaive.

“While I can’t deny the appeal of such an arrangement. I have an entirely different plan for those nights.”

“Pray tell, Your Grace. What could you be planning when you invite a young lady to spend three nights with you?”

“The plans are quite harmless, and I will tell you if you would allow me to explain,” he said, raising his eyebrow.

“Well, go ahead. I am all ears.”

“I wonder if you have ever made the acquaintance of the Earl of Frampton and his lovely Countess?”

“Well, I was introduced to them during the last Season, but I fail to see what that elderly couple has to do with the issue at hand,” she said, raising an eyebrow in question.

He ignored the look and continued, “What impression did you have about the couple when you met them over the course of the Season?”

“I met them a few times during the Season. They are known to own a very profitable business enterprise, having invested in a lot of railways and construction both in London and overseas. They are not quite popular with the ton, since we know members of the fashionable set look with disdain at people who make their money through trade, but they are invited to events because the ton need their money and are willing to do anything to stay on their good side. I won’t say I am surprised that the ton is quite hypocritical that way.”

“Careful there, kitten. Sheath your claws, will you. Do remember you are a part of this ton you castigate.”

Helen snorted rather inelegantly and waved her hand in dismissal. “That is beside the point. What does this have to do with your invitation?”

“My darling, it appears that just like other members of the ton, I need a favor from the good Earl.”

Helen had to restrain herself from pointing out the fact that he just used an endearment when referring to her. The word, spoken in the low timbre of his voice, did interesting things to her insides. She made a conscious effort to compose herself.

“I am sure that doesn’t have to be very difficult. You could go talk to the man. You are quite eloquent, so I am sure you could convince him to see reason.”

“While I am flattered by the compliment,” he said with a crooked smile, “I am afraid I have done just that, and he turned down my offer.”

“Why?” Helen asked, a furrow of concern forming on her brow. His hand itched to smooth it out.

“He cited several reasons—and they were all reasonable reasons, I might add. But I failed to take something into consideration when preparing to persuade such a shrewd businessman.”

“And what, pray tell, is that?”

“Apart from his shrewd business sense, Frampton has been known to favor married men in his business dealings more than their unmarried counterparts. His reason is that he believes that married men are more financially responsible and that the presence of a woman usually calms a man’s spendthrift tendencies. I do not agree with the man, but he is a business genius, so I guess he is entitled to his idiosyncrasies. That is why I need to announce our engagement, and you will attend the theatre with me on the first night. Hopefully, the Earl will count me among the ranks of responsible men,” he said drily.

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