Page 16 of His Accidental Duchess

He smiled thinly. “Excellent. That brings us to the fourth and final rule. It’s rather… a delicate matter.”

She bit her lip. “Tell me.”

“I require an heir, Miss Belmont. A male heir. Now, I am sure that my brother promised you a… what do they call it? A white marriage. A marriage of friendship.”

She flushed but said nothing. It had been an awkward conversation to have with Henry. Of course, Anna hadnotbeen attractedto Henry, but it was still a little mortifying to see his relief when she agreed they would not share a bed.

The Duke eyed her for a long moment, his face revealing nothing.

“I am not at liberty to offer you such a thing, I am afraid. My daughter cannot be the Duke of Langdon, and I have long since made my peace with the fact that Henry will not produce any heirs. So, I must have sons. One son, at least. That means that you and I, Miss Belmont, must make one.”

Anna cleared her throat, placing down her teacup in case her hand shook.

She knew, of course, what took place between man and wife. She and Beatrice had giggled about it before, and Octavia had had a long and uncomfortable conversation with her only the previous night. Octavia didn’t know, of course, that Henry and Anna hadno intention of living together properly as man and wife, and Anna had no intention of telling her otherwise.

“I see.”

The Duke lifted an eyebrow. “Do you really? I shall do my best to make sure it is not an ordeal.”

“I’m sure.”

He hid a smile behind his teacup. “Thoughts?”

She shrugged. “I can agree to all of that. I’m good with children. I have two younger sisters who I adore. I could introduce them to your daughter, as I’m sure she’s starved for good company, considering she has to deal with a wretch like you.”

He let out a short laugh. “Goodness, youareopinionated! Perhaps I should add a fifth and final rule. You will obey me. You will not talk back.”

She snorted. “Well, I can’t agree tothat. I think I’d rather die.”

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Think of it this way. As the Duchess of Langdon, you’ll outrank just about every man and woman in Society, including your mother. With one exception. That exception, of course, is theDukeof Langdon. I require a little deference and a little peace, but in return, you’ll receive money, status, respect,freedom. You can go wherever you like, spend whatever you like, live however youlike. You said yourself that raising my daughter will be no chore, nothing to worry about, and you have no intention of seeking my company. Really, you are getting a fabulous bargain, don’t you think?”

She bit her lip hard, tasting copper.

It galled her todeferto anyone, least of all this man. But really, what option did she have?

None. No options at all.

“I agree to your terms,” she said at last, her voice sounding muffled in her own ears. “As to the business of… of theheir, I agree to that too, but first, you must promisemesomething. My familymustbe cared for. I want our debts paid off, and I want my mother to keep the estate. I want my sisters to be sponsored during their debuts, and I want them to have dowries. Please,” she added, feeling a twinge of guilt. Dowrieswereexpensive.

He smiled wryly at her. “So, you’d sell yourself for money?”

There was a taut moment of silence.

“What did you say?” she rasped, her fists clenching.

She allowed herself a moment of fantasy, imagining flinging herself at him and slamming her knuckles against those sharp cheekbones.

He smirked. “Just a joke.”

“Not a very funny one.”

“We all sell ourselves for something,” he said shortly, waving a hand. “I am selling myself to get a mother for my daughter.”

She said nothing, and he sighed.

“Look, Miss Belmont. You know how much Henry’s allowance is. My wife—theDuchess—would be entitled to at least twice that. Think of it. No more debt. No more worry. Your reputation—which, quite frankly, is in the gutter—will be restored.”

She raked a hand through her hair. More crushed blooms tumbled out, landing on the ornately patterned carpet beneath her feet.

---