Page 31 of His Unwanted Duchess

“I used that as an example,” he interrupted. “I don’t have a horde of opera girls waiting for me upstairs if that is what you’re asking.”

She raised her eyebrows. “If you say so. Anyway, you said no heir, and you will clearly be taking your pleasure elsewhere. Does that mean that I am excused from performing the traditional wifely duties?”

It took Stephen a second to understand exactly what she was saying. When he did, he grinned, leaning back in his seat.

“Ah. You are asking whether we shall bed down together.”

There was a delicate pink flush on Miss Haversham’s cheekbones, the only sign that she was the slightest bit uncomfortable with the situation.

“Yes, I suppose I am,” she responded. To her credit, she held his gaze.

More powerful men had quailed under that stare before.

She’ll make a fine duchess.

Stephen was not entirely sure where the thought had come from.

Biting back a smile, he adjusted his cuffs before answering. “I think not. This is a marriage of convenience—a business arrangement if you like—and I believe that getting into bed with each other might only complicate things. I shall have my life and you shall have yours, and we will occasionally appear on each other’s arm in Society events, and that is all. Besides, sharing abed might make things difficult with regard to the no-children rule.”

She nodded slowly, absorbing this.

Unable to help himself, Stephen leaned forward. “Are you disappointed, Miss Haversham?”

She regarded him coolly. “Would your pride be hurt if I saidno,Your Grace?”

He chuckled. “My pride is a sturdy thing, don’t you fret. Besides, if you are averygood little wife, and ask me very nicely—perhaps even beg a little—I might oblige you.”

She tilted her head to the side. “Unfortunately, Your Grace, I rarely ask nicely for anything, and I certainly never beg.”

Before he could respond, she nodded brusquely towards the letter he held in his hand.

“I agree. To your terms, that is. I agree.”

CHAPTER 10

It was hard not to feel satisfaction at the surprise on the Duke’s face. Despite it all, it seemed he was still expecting her to try her best to back out of their arrangement.

“I’m glad,” he said. “I would have hated to tell the world justwhyI chose to expose the Marquess in such a dramatic way.”

She tilted her head. “Resorting to blackmail? Really?AfterI agreed to your terms? It’s weak stuff, Your Grace, weak stuff.”

His gaze narrowed. “Well, what about you, then? If I am so very unimpressive, my dear, why did you agree so easily to my proposal? Why not live a merry, free life as a spinster, and damn me and my threats to hell?”

Beatrice hesitated, biting her lip. The truth was, it was her father’s words that had driven her there.

“We shall have to find Beatrice another match—any match—as soon as we can, let me tell you. We cannot afford to be picky anymore.”

Whatever that meant, or whatever vague threat it alluded to, Beatrice was not willing to wait around and find out. Her father had just about sold her off once, and it was more likely than ever that he would do it again.

She could not afford to wait and see what happened. If the Duke stuck to his side of the rules—and strangely enough, Beatrice thought that he would—then she would lead a comfortable and reasonably safe life. Besides, he would destroy her next wedding if she refused.

“With our agreement, I shall live the life of a spinster anyway,” she responded. “Now. Did you say you wished me to sign something?”

He kept his gaze trained on her, placing the list of rules flat on the table, and gestured to a quill and inkwell.

“Be my guest, Miss Haversham. If we are about to become engaged, perhaps I might call youBeatrice.”

“Perhaps you might.”

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