Page 16 of Three Nights with the Beastly Duke

“What?”Rebecca breathed, the color draining from her face as she looked at their father. “Papa, please—”

“Enough,” Kenneth snapped, growing stern. “The Duke of Whitekin has proved himself an honorable man, and his mother is a saint of a lady. This union will be good for both families and end these rumors of ill repute for us all.”

A tense silence fell over the carriage as they finished their journey. Lavinia’s mind was scrambling, looking for any possible way to get her sister out of the arrangement. She decided not to heed Arthur’s lack of contact as a bad omen and went forward with the idea that tonight was her third and final chance to change his mind.

Upon their arrival, Rebecca all but bolted from the carriage, disappearing with a group of friends who were making their way inside.

“You have spoiled her,” Kenneth grumbled as he walked with Lavinia.

“I have tried to protect her, Papa,” Lavinia replied, her tone soft, imploring. “Perhaps this just isn’t the right thing to do.”

“Poppycock,” Kenneth retorted with a snort. “Perhaps if you hadn’t snubbed your responsibility of marrying well, Rebecca wouldn’t have to do this. But we cannot change the past, so this is what must be done now.”

Lavinia pulled on a smile just before the Master of Ceremonies announced their names. She stood, perfectly prim and composed, with her father, until the ordeal was over, then abruptly left his side. Around her, she could hear the whispers of gossip. Of her, of Rebecca… of their mother, and she began to walk faster. She needed a moment, just a quick one, to be alone and gather herself.

“Ah, so you are ignoring me, too, as well as your sister,” a familiar voice called out, making Lavinia stop in her tracks. Shivers of pleasure ran down her arms as she heard Arthur’s deep voice, and despite her annoyance, she felt a soothing wave lap over her anxiety.

Had his voice always had this effect on her?

“Your Grace, my apologies,” Lavinia offered, turning to face him. “I did not realize I had walked past you.”

“Nor does anyone else,” he replied, shrugging one of his muscled shoulders as he approached. His dark green eyes studied her, then tried to meet her gaze. She avoided it, keeping her eyes on the floor below them.

“What is the matter?” he asked, his tone surprisingly tender.

She knew she couldn’t tell him the truth. That the weight of his decision hung around her neck as much as it hung around Rebecca’s. That his inability to write to her had scrambled her brain.

She drew on her strength and forced a smile as she finally met his eyes. “Nothing at all, Your Grace,” she replied, her tone a careless sigh. “Though I am curious to know- is our deal still on? Is this to be my third chance?”

Something troubling passed over Arthur’s gaze, but his smile remained intact, and he nodded.

“Indeed, it is,” he replied. “And I have already attempted many times to get your sister to dance. All to no avail. It seems she is set on avoiding me until the moment we are to be wed.”

“She is stubborn,” Lavinia acknowledged, slightly disheartened by her sister’s continual bad manners.

“Yes, she is,” Arthur agreed. “Though I have no issue with stubbornness. It can be quite charming.”

“That is surprising to hear.” Lavinia laughed softly, not able to help herself.

“Stubbornness kept me alive during the war,” Arthur replied amicably. “In fact, I am sure that is the only reason I left with my life. I was too stubborn to die.”

“A blessing, to be sure,” Lavinia replied, feeling more at ease.

“Only some believe so,” Arthur retorted, the sad truth ringing in his voice, before changing the subject. “So, your sister has made her choice. What is yours?” he asked, taking on a more sarcastic tone. “Shall we commence with our third event? Your last effort to change my mind?”

Arthur held his arm out to her, giving her a mischievous smile, and Lavinia couldn’t help the small laugh that left her as she took it. Arthur could indeed be charming when he wanted to. She wondered, for the briefest of moments, why he hadn’t tried such charm with her sister.

Arthur led her to the dance floor, which was already occupied by several couples. As they took their place, Lavinia noticed how many people fumbled their steps to get a look at them, and for a moment, she felt insecure.

“Don’t look at them,” Arthur instructed, his deep voice calm as he began the dance, “just keep your eyes on me.”

Lavinia felt a delicious shiver as she felt Arthur’s hand on her waist and heard his deep voice whispering words of encouragement. There was something about the way he led her that made her feel both safe and excited.

“I have dealt with judgmental looks before, but it’s never felt this invasive,” Lavinia confessed, moving into the steps with him.

Arthur smirked as he moved her around with surprising grace. She had never expected such a hardened man to enjoy the art of dance.

“Yes, well, you’ve never danced with a beast before, have you?” he asked, his tone light.

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