Page 70 of Taken By the Icy Duke

He kissed her more fervently and slipped his hands around her waist. She tried to reciprocate but her heart refused.

Gilbert seemed to sense her hesitation and pulled away, his eyes narrowing. “You are holding back,” he noted. “Is it because I lost my temper? Or is it about Leopold?”

Diana closed her eyes, struggling for composure.

“I do not want to argue again. I just… feel uneasy,” she said, shaking her head. “Truly, I am not in the mood tonight.”

He released a sharp breath, though he kept her within his arms.

“We can put aside the anger, can we not? Be close for once, without these suspicions and rumors haunting us?” His hand splayed at the small of her back, urging her nearer.

Diana almost let herself melt into him, but her secret pregnancy and his vow never to have children rose like a wall between them. She pressed a palm to his chest, halting him. Diana stepped back from Gilbert’s embrace, her heart pounding with fear and suppressed longing. He frowned and dropped his arms to his sides.

“What is it, Diana?”

She breathed hard and looked up at him. “I must ask you once again,” she said in a tear-filled voice. “You have not changed your stance on… on children, have you?”

He stiffened. “I have not,” he said firmly. “We have discussed this. You know my mind.”

She pulled free, biting back a sob. “So, you are still set against having any family with me.”

He raked a hand through his hair. “Yes,” he said, impatience hardening his tone. “I will not revisit the reasons, but they have not altered.”

She turned away, pressing a hand to her abdomen in a gesture of private dread.

“I cannot pretend any longer,” she said. “I cannot share your bed if you deny the very possibility of a family.” She forced her voice to remain steady, though her heart smarted with each word.

He stood in silence, his fists clenched at his sides. “Where is this sudden insistence coming from?” he asked. “I told you my reasons long ago. Why punish me now?”

She raised her head, unshed tears brimming in her brokenhearted eyes.

“I am not punishing you,” she said. “I only know that I cannot keep up this charade.”

“When did you decidethis?” he demanded, placing his fists on his hips.

“I simply cannot share this intimacy,” she said in a trembling voice. “I wish to sleep alone.”

Anger flashed in his eyes. “I see,” he said, stepping back. “Then so be it.”

He turned on his heel and crossed to the door. Diana stood rooted, one hand pressed over her racing heart. She watched him depart with swift, tense steps, leaving her alone in the flickering lamplight.

She closed her eyes, exhaling shakily. The chill of the room settled around her, and she knew the night would offer little rest. The secret she carried weighed upon her more heavily with each passing day, and each moment spent at odds with Gilbert only magnified her dread of seeing his reaction to her announcement.

Diana sat curled on a settee near the hearth, a book lying open and unread in her lap. She tried to focus on the words, yet her mind drifted continually to her strained thoughts. Each passing day felt more ominous knowing she carried a child her husband would not accept.

Soft footsteps broke the silence. She lifted her gaze to see Leopold lingering by the doorway, his brow furrowed in concern.

“May I enter?” he asked, his tone subdued. “I noticed the light under the door and wondered if you might want company.”

“You may come in,” she said as she straightened up and set her book aside.

“Forgive me if I intrude. You appear… deeply troubled,” he said as he approached, his hands clasped behind his back.

“I am, though I hate to admit it,” Diana exhaled a shaky breath. “The mood in this house has been so volatile of late. I thought I might find some peace in here.”

He looked at Diana for a moment before taking the seat opposite, leaving a respectful distance.

“I can see that you are pale,” he said quietly. “Are you still feeling the effects of your… condition?”

---