Page 37 of Married to the Cruel Duke

“Why haven’t I seen you since our wedding day?”

He let out a long breath. “I suppose that’s a fair question. I won’t lie, I have been avoiding you. You deserve to be happy, and I don’t think I can give that to you. Originally, I thought I never should have asked you to marry me, but seeing where you came from, I can’t bring myself to feel that way.”

She let out a sigh of relief. “I’m glad you don’t regret asking me to come here. Does that mean that you’ll stop avoiding me?”

He hesitated. “That’s complicated.”

She said nothing, waiting for him to continue and after a moment, he did.

He let out a long breath, “I’m sure you have heard the rumors of what happened to my family.”

“I never put much stock into such things.”

He shook his head. “Well, prepare to, at least for a time.”

“But-”

“Please, we need to talk about them for you to understand.”

She hesitated for a moment before nodding.

He let out a sigh before he continued. “Everyone suspects I had something to do with the death of my father and brother, but they often forget how old I was when they were murdered. I was only five, and I almost died in the attack myself. I- while they weren’t killed right in front of me, they might as well have been. To this day I can still hear their screams when I close my eyes.”

“What happened?” she winced. “I’m sorry. I probably should n’t have asked that.”

“It’s all right. If we are going to talk, you should get to know. I wasn’t supposed to be with them, but I had convinced my father to let me got with him and my brother to see to some business. That was when the bandits attacked us. I was the only one who survived.”

Her hands flew to her mouth. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea you were so young when you lost them.”

“It’s in the past now.”

She nodded. “Still, it couldn't have been easy.”

“It wasn’t, but it was far harder on my mother than it ever was on me. Her grief consumed her. After a while, she couldn’t handle me leaving the house without her. Of course, it could only be put off for so long before I had to go away for school. Only a few months after I left, she passed away.”

“I’m so sorry. No one should have to go through that much loss.”

“I am still alive. That’s the part I need to focus on. I am the only one left to keep this family going, so I need to keep going for their sake.”

“Is that why you wanted to get married? To keep your family name alive?”

“It is. I am sorry to have brought you into my own machinations.”

“Don’t be. I won’t lie, when my father first told me I was to marry you, I had some apprehension, but I was still so glad someone might actually want me in their life instead of just tolerating my presence. You have been far better to me than I could have hoped.”

He stared at her in shock. “Do you really mean that? You are happy here?”

“I am, and I think I will only grow more content as time goes on, but if it isn’t too much trouble, could I ask a favor of you?”

William studied her for a moment, curiosity peaked. “Ask and I will tell you if I will accommodate it.”

“Thank you for hearing me out. I would like to ask if you would have dinner with me occasionally. I understand you must be very busy, but perhaps we could do something once a week if you have time.”

He blinked in shock. “Why would you want to have dinner with me?”

She smiled. “That’s rather simple to answer, because you are my husband, and I want what I think any bride wants. I want to get to know you. I want us to grow to care for each other.”

He blinked in shock. “I don’t know that I will be the best company.”

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