Page 10 of Taken By the Beastly Duke

"Wait. I have a proposition." She added quickly still holding on to him as though she feared he would leave.

He looked down at the arm still wrapped around this and shot her a look that had her releasing his arm.

"I am sorry." She apologized.

"What is your proposition?" He asked, closing the door softly. "I am sure you realize that by now our absence has been noted."

"It’ll only be a minute, Your grace."

Anthony hated to have noticed he liked the hard resolve he saw in her eyes. She was determined on her cause even though it wasn’t a worthy one. If she had put this energy perhaps into securing her own husband, then perhaps she might have been married by now.

"I am waiting, Miss Victoria."

She nodded and braced herself as though she were preparing for war.

"I ask that you accompany me to three events of my choosing and give me the chance to show you that I can be what you need."

He raised a brow at her, wondering why she thought that would be a good idea. She couldn’t possibly hope that by being seen and out about with him, she could ruin her sister’s chances even if he didn’t convince him.

He told her as much and saw the exasperated look in her eye.

"I told you, Your grace. Do not accuse me of such behavior."

"Then tell me what you stand to gain from this?"

She couldn’t meet his eyes again which he had come to notice as what she did when she was trying to lie.

"I will be giving my sister a chance at seeking her happiness."

"And you think I am unsuited to make her happy?"

She sighed.

"Do attempt to understand me, Your grace."

"I am but forgive me if I cannot trust the words of a woman who accosts me in a dark room to ask me to end my engagement to her sister."

"You can trust me to want what is only best for you both."

He scoffed, looking away from her.

Her hand surprised him again when they landed softly on his again. His eyes darted down to where her had touched him, wondering why the annoying sparks were back again.

"Give me this chance, Your grace, and if I fail, I will say nothing of this to anyone. I would be too mortified to anyway."

He looked at her then and realized that if indeed the content of their conversation were to be known by anyone, her reputation might take an unrecoverable blow.

Was marriage really worth the trouble?

"Lets say I do agree to this…proposal of sorts, what events do you have in mind?" He asked stepping closer to her. "And if by some miracle you are able to convince me, do you understand what marriage to me entails?"

"Y... Your grace?" She stutters at his proximity. "I do not…"

"If you are to be my wife…" He says slowly, nearing her with each step till her back was pressed firmly against the wall. "It means I will have every right to you."

His words were accompanied by a long look down her body which interpreted his words to her. For the first time, he saw fear in her eyes and wondered if she would still be intent on her course now she realized she would have to share his bed.

"I do know that, Your grace."

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