Page 33 of Taken By the Beastly Duke

"Because he is stealing you from me."

Victoria let out a laugh, slapping Theodore's shoulder. He had always said so when she had shown interest in any lord and had always laughed with her but now he wasn't laughing.

"I will always be your friend, Theo." She soothed. "The duke cannot stop that. You're my oldest and truest friend. The sooner he accepts that, the better for him."

She patted his shoulder lovingly and leaned back on her chair.

"I have no knowledge about how to plan a wedding. I wonder how and I am going to start. I don't suppose you have any help to offer."

He laughed, shaking his head at her.

"You always have too much on your plate, darling Victoria and its never even food." He teased.

"I know." She answered with a laugh. "If it were food at least I would be happy. What do I know of being a duchess?"

"You are a capable and intelligent woman. I am sure you would excel at it."

"Thank you, Theo." She smiled leaning against his shoulder. "You always know just what to say."

"Of course." He smiled back ruefully. "I know you better than most."

She nodded and relaxed against his shoulder, savoring the moment.

She knew that things would never be the same again and even though she had said she would maintain their friendship, the Duke's estate was too far and since she would be there most of the year, it was highly unlikely he would be able to visit.

"Are you at least happy?" He asked suddenly.

And she thought to herself, realizing that she actually was.

There had been some aching pit inside of her that had wanted more than the life she had led up to that point. She never might have admitted it out loud but there had been a secret resentment she had had for having been resigned to spinsterhood while she would watch her sisters spin and turn about the ballrooms of England in the arms of charming young men.

"Yes." She said. "I am happy."

* * *

Theodore couldn't help but look back at the house when he was helped into his carriage. He couldn't accept Victoria's marriage to that beastly looking duke.

Even if he was if a high social and financial standing, he would not know how to make his Victoria happy. No man would.

They had been friends since childhood and only he knew what made ger tick and all the things that made her happy. He had seen her when she was tired and heavily burdened by her family's troubles.

He had loved her even when she was the least fashionable woman in thetonand had only not married her because he was close to penury and her dowry wasn't much to write home about.

He couldn't allow her to sell herself to someone who would make her even more miserable.

How would she stomach their wedding night with such grotesque scars?

Plus the man never smiled.

How would he be able to make her happy?

The man had been a rake before the scar across his face. He would never be satisfied by his sweet Victoria's innocence and he might ruin her in the process if he took to visiting brothels.

She might have been happy that she was finally leaving the life of spinsterhood behind but he knew that she would only be resigning herself to a golden cage she would never be able to escape.

He couldn't let that happen. He would make her see sense before it was too late and if she didn't, he would take matters into his own hand.

ChapterEleven

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