Page 30 of A Virgin for the Duke of Ash

“Violence isnotthe answer,” she reminded him primly.

Daniel merely smirked at her. “You were the one to suggest that your brother was going to bring down violence upon my head. What am I supposed to do, then? Stand still and take the blow?”

“Well, no, but?—”

“Then what is your problem?”

“My problem”—she glared at him—“is that you are taking all of this too lightly. Do you think this is all a joke?” Her voice rose as she remembered his actions at the park. “My future is in jeopardy just because you?—”

Her apparent betrothal to one of the most elusive yet sought-after bachelors of theton—one of the Wolves, for heaven’s sake—would have all their eyes on her as soon as the news made the rounds. Even if Daniel were to take back his impulsive declaration, how could any gentleman want to marry her now?

It wasmadness. Pure and utter madness.

“Rest assured, sweetheart, I meant to protect you, and I will,” he told her, his voice dropping to a low growl.

“But you do not want to marry!” she cried out hysterically. “And how can I marry a man who does not want to be married?”

Daniel leaned back, raising an eyebrow.

How can he look so calm when we are talking about my future?

Evie wanted to beat at his chest, for all the good it would do. At least, she would be able to vent out some of her frustration, seeing as trying to make him see reason was akin to screaming at a brick wall.

“Sweetheart,” he drawled lazily. “Whether we get married or not, nothing is going to change.”

Evie looked up at him. “What do you mean?” she asked him suspiciously.

“For one, we are to live entirely separate lives after we are wed. You shall have your own rooms, and I shall have mine. I will not interfere in your business, and you are not to interfere in mine.”

Is he… suggesting a marriage of convenience?

Evie balked at the idea, but a part of her felt thrilled at the thought of it.

What Daniel was suggesting was that he was going to basically give her the freedoms a married lady would enjoy without burdening her with any of the responsibilities. She would have the protection of his name and status, as well as the wealth that went with it.

Not like I need any money, in any case. Colin has given me more than enough, and that does not even include my dowry…

No one else in thetonwas aware of that, of course, and no one would expect it. After all, it was quite rare for an older brother to be so generous with his sister, particularly one who was to be the property of her husband after marriage.

“Think about it, Evie,” Daniel told her, his voice low and hypnotizing as he stepped towards her. “Both of us, by virtue of our status in Society, are expected to do our duties and wed. Would you not rather marry someone you know than someone you are not so certain you can trust?”

He was so close now that if she just raised her hand, she could lay it on his chest. Would she find his heart beating as fast as hers at that moment?

Who am I kidding?

Evie wanted to shake her head.

Daniel Stanton could never be so affected. Look at him—he is as cold and implacable as a block of ice!

“Well?”

His voice was so deceptively charming that she wanted nothing more than to nod her head like a chicken pecking on grains…

But, of course, she could not let him have his way so easily!

She narrowed her eyes at him in suspicion. “You speak of trust, Your Grace, but how can I trust you when you keep making my decisions for me? Will you also be like this once we are married?”

He chuckled softly, the soft vibrations from his chest dancing down her spine as her knees suddenly felt as if they were made of rubber.

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