Page 13 of Taken By the Beastly Duke

“Oh God.” she said out loud to dispel the silly thought of his body.

She still could not believe that he had agreed to her plan to go on a total of three dates to convince him of her suitability. She admitted she had thought of that idea in desperation and after she had blurted it out, she had been fully ready for him to call her bluff.

She had not expected him to dare her to a kiss. Unfortunately, her prime weakness was an inability to back down from a challenge, so she had willingly walked into a kiss that had threatened to swallow her whole and had changed her in ways she was not ready to examine closely.

A part of her had rejoiced at the fact that he had been affected as well. He had tried to mask it well - accepting her wager reluctantly - but she had been a spinster long enough, moving in circles of both the low born peasants and the high born aristocrats long enough to recognize the earthy glimmer of lust shinning in the duke's eyes when he looked at her.

Unfortunately as far she was concerned, at the moment, that information had no importance at all to her mission to marry the duke in order to save her sister. She had thought the agreement was one made on a whim but by evening, a note had come from the duke inviting her to a dinner.

She had busied herself with preparations for the dinner, one to keep him out of her mind and the other so he wouldn’t find her lacking and change his mind.

Over the course of the fortnight that heralded the arranged dinner, she prepared as meticulously as a warrior going into battle, building her arsenal which included her equipping herself with the etiquette lessons that she had buried over the years in favor of taking on the duty of contributing to the families sustenance

At the moment the task she was undertaking was to her as important to the family's sustenance as bags of shiny coins.

She had gone in search of her sister, she found in the garden, sprawled on the stone bench there engrossed in one of her many romance novels. In contrast to her outward pragmatic way of speaking, Charity was at heart a hopeless romantic and this reminder of that unique character her sister possessed strengthened her resolve to make sure she achieved the love match she sought.

"Charity," she called softly as she stood by the stone bench seeing as her sister did not seem to notice her presence.

At her call, her sister jerked upright in shock, her book tumbling off her thighs to land on the grassy floor.

"You startled me," she said, placing a hand to her chest. "Why are you skulking about the gardens?" she asked, bending forward to pick up her book and proceeding to dust off the dirt on its leather binding.

"I was not skulking," Victoria answered, exasperated. "You were just too distracted to notice my presence. Is the book that interesting?" she asked with a teasing smile.

"I had just gotten to the interesting part" Charity said with an answering smile. Turning to place the book beside her on the bench, she asked

"But what brings all the way to the gardens?. You hardly visit here by this time of the day"

On that note Charity was very correct. Most days at this time, she was busy with several other chores. Either sitting in on Diana's classes or going to tutor some of her students at nearby estates.

"I am I not allowed to visit the gardens in the compound I live in?. Don't tell me you have taken monopoly over it." she said trying for a teasing tone.

"Of course you are free to, Victoria," Charity replied her expression turning serious, "I was just stating the obvious facts."

"Of course, Charity. I was just joking," she said, flashing her a reassuring smile

"Tell me," she said, sitting down beside her on the bench, "how is the young baron these days?" she asked.

In answer, she watched as her sister's face transformed with a bright smile, her love and excitement for her young lover was evident even to the blind.

"Oh, he is wonderful, you know he was the one that got me this book," she said, picking up her novel to show Victoria, "He is just absolutely perfect."

Victoria nodded with a private smile. The baron, while very young, seemed to have the wisdom of the ages or very keen observational skills, because while other females would melt at the sight of gifted flowers, one was more likely to entice Charity with the promise of a book.

The baron had definitely secured himself a permanent place in her sister's heart simply by buying her books. That was just one of the many reasons she believed the baron would make a wonderful match with her sister.

"I just wish that Father could call off the engagement with the beastly duke. I just want to marry Robert, I love him so much," her sister continued, her smile dimming into a scowl.

"Charity," she called, causing her to look up. "I have promised you that I would settle the matter."

Taking her sister's hands in hers, she continued, " I promise you that you would marry your baron but in order for that to be possible, you have to help me."

"I would be glad to aid you anyway I can," Charity answered, desperate hope clear in her voice.

"I need lessons in deportment and etiquette "she said feeling the hot blush on her cheeks.

"Why would you need a lesson for that?" Charity asked, a puzzled look on her face.

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