Page 21 of Taken By the Beastly Duke

"It is almost too perfect. The beastly duke from a worthless title marrying the old maid that nobody wants. They are a perfect match I must say," another said I am triumphant glee.

Anthony never knew thetonthought his prestigious title was worthless. But then what had he expected when members of his family had regularly featured the scandal sheets the last one being his insistence in joining the army instead of staying back in England to study how best to be a proper duke.

With the scandals attached to the title, it would have been retrieved by the crown several decades earlier if it wasn't because of the promise signed in blood between the first Duke of Devlin andthe king at the time. The title had been payment for a blood debt for a life saved in battle, that was why it still stayed in their family even with their countless scandals.

That was why he needed the innocent well-loved Miss Charity if he was to regain the family honor. Marriage to the belle of thetonmight make members of thetonthaw towards the family since Miss Charity was an admirable member.

While he hated gossip, it was particularly useful at this moment. He had to make plans to marry Miss Charity regardless of whatever feelings he harbored for her sister. While his chest ached at the thought. He had to do the needful. Because great responsibilities demanded great sacrifices.

"Miss Hobbs," he called coming to stand very close to her.

He waited until she lifted her head to look at him before continuing

"I have an important matter to discuss with you, please meet me in the gardens in half an hour" he said glancing at his time piece.

Ignoring the puzzling look on her face he strode away. Tonight everything would return to its rightful position. He would make sure of it.

ChapterSix

The serious demeanor of the Duke when he requested a meeting in the gardens had raised her hackles.

Over the course of the three dates, she had forgotten what was at stake probably because she was lost enjoying his attention and flirtation. She could swear that he was attracted to as well, going by the way he looked at her

She might be innocent about matters of the marriage bed but there was no mistaking the look in his eyes when he looked at her, like he would love nothing better than the chance to devour her.

The answering shivers those looks inspired on her body, led her to believe that she would not be objecting to his possession whatever dark pleasures those looks promised.

Slowly their banter and numerous meetings had further driven away from her mind the true precarious nature of her stance, but the whispers that had trailed them today had jolted her back to reality, rather rudely she might add.

Unfortunately it seems she was not the only one that had jolted since the Duke had reverted back to his serious, remote personality and the look of determination on his face gave her an inkling on the direction of the thoughts.

She panicked internally, the Duke couldn't change his mind at this point, not when she had promised her sister that she had successfully deflected the duke's attention from her to allow her pursue her romantic interests with her baron.

No, there was nothing to do about it, she had to convince the Duke by any means necessary because the alternative was not tenable.

She stood at the fringes of the ballroom sipping the bad punch slowly, while she waited for the half hour to pass before she left to meet the duke. She tried to appear as calm as possible to prevent any attention on her. That was easier now because it seems that the gossips had moved on to more fleshy prey now that Anthony had left the ballroom and no longer stood beside her

She felt she should probably be slightly insulted that her relevance was determined by the duke's presence around her, but then she was used to being invisible for most of the time of her sojourn in high society.

She was only referred to as 'Miss Charity's sister' or for the more cruel gossips she was ' The old spinster sister'. There was usually nothing interesting to talk about that involved an old spinster but enter the Duke? She seemed to have turned into a succulent morsel for theton's gossip to gobble up.

When the half hour was up, the musicians struck their instruments for the third dance of the night. A quadrille.

She heaved a sense of relief because it provided a suitable distraction for her to slip away without anyone noticing, Walking along the wall, she slipped into the gardens, her shoes stepping unto the slightly damp grass, she walked carefully and as quietly as possible, while keeping an eye out for the tall figure of the duke.

By the time she got to the middle of the garden she saw him standing, his back to her, the dim light of the moon glinting you off his dark hair. Standing there he reminded of her of the sculptures of ancient warriors of old. But then he was a battle hero, so it was safe to say he was in league with said warriors.

Clearing her throat, she called, " Your Grace?"

He turned.

"You are here" he said matter of factly not offering her a smile of welcome. If nothing drove home the seriousness of this meeting nothing did.

" It appears that I am " she said shakingly

"The promised three dates elapses today, Miss Hobbs. And while I immensely enjoyed the company of your lovely self, I have come to a decision. My marriage proposal to Miss Charity still stands."

Victoria was frozen for a moment, she had known that this was the direction of the duke's thoughts but something about hearing it proclaimed aloud made it more real

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