Page 32 of Married to the Ruthless Duke

“I know men like the Duke well. They like it when you stroke their egos a little. Besides, he is quite besotted with you, even though he probably has not realized it yet.”

“How are you so certain?”

“Because I have eyes, dearest, and he always looks at you like you are a meal he wants to devour in one gulp.”

At that, Helen blushed to the roots of her hair.

Looking at her sister closer, she asked, “Did you pilfer Father’s whiskey again?”

With all the bold and brazen things Margaret had said that night, she must have had some liquid courage. Their father hid his whiskey in his study very well, Helen might add, but there were very few things two inquisitive, adventurous girls could not find when they put their minds to it.

Margaret looked around and then smiled sheepishly. “Just a little,” she said, giggling. “Don’t worry, I am not that drunk if it took you this long to notice.”

“Did you read any yummy books while you were at it?”

“Yes, but…”

“Tell me.”

“Lord Alan Freud is deemed the rake of the Season with a record of having over ten debutantes go astray. What happens when he meets the quick-witted yet charming Lady Justine, deemed the belle of the Season, who was seemingly immune to his charms? An attraction so strong that he dares not admit it is ignited inside that has him questioning everything he thought he knew. Will he continue in his quest to conquer her at the risk of losing his heart, or will the deeper feelings he has for her send him running for dear life?”

“Didn’t we read that together before?”

“Don’t change the topic. When is the wedding?”

“Perhaps in a fortnight.”

“Hmmm. Why the rush? Don’t tell me you two have done the unthinkable,” Margaret said, wriggling her eyebrows suggestively.

“Maggie! I think you need to go to bed!”

“Well, I won’t go until you tell me why your Duke is rushing the wedding proceedings.”

“He has a special license, and he wants to get married as soon as possible. He has his reasons.”

Helen was not comfortable talking about the three-night deal with the Duke. It was an intimate detail between her and the Duke, and she preferred to keep it that way.

“From the look on your face, it doesn’t look like I am getting answers to my questions today. Sweet dreams, dearest sister. I will retire now. I have a full day ahead tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? What is tomorrow?” Helen asked curiously.

“I have my secrets too,” Margaret said, winking at her before she left the room.

Helen shook her head in amazement. She was happy that Margaret was feeling better. She preferred this version of her sister, even though she was quite nosy and mischievous. Sadly, her sister would mostly return to normal Margaret by morning when the effect of the whiskey faded.

* * *

Over the course of the next week, preparations for the wedding began in earnest. Her engagement to the Duke was announced by Lady Amensbury, one of the leading ladies of the ton, and to say it sent a shockwave through the ton would be an understatement. After the announcement, the members of the ton expressed their surprise and offered their congratulations. Her friends dragged her off to interrogate her.

“You sly girl,” Denise, one of the dark-haired twins, said with much excitement. “You never showed any inkling that you were interested in the Ruthless Duke.”

“I guess your family was the one that had the contract with the previous Duke,” Diana, the much quieter twin, said with a smile.

“You just made an extraordinary match. You are not just getting hitched to any nobleman, but the Duke!” Denise practically screamed, her excitement so palpable that Helen could not help smiling widely.

“I take it this means you are not cross with me?”

“Why would I be cross with you?” Denise asked, her brow furrowing with confusion.

---