Page 64 of Her Seven Nights with the Duke

Samuel followed after the butler to the study, where Timothy sat waiting for him, a large grin on his face.

“Your Grace,” he said, walking towards him. “I’m glad you kept your word.”

Samuel held back his glare as he looked around. “I want Lady Nora to be present for this.”

Lord Worlington blustered. “I do not know why she has to be. It is not a woman’s place to decide on these things. She merely had to accept your proposal, and I believe she accepted it when she was caught with you in such a compromising position.”

Samuel grimaced as the man laughed disgustingly. He leveled him with a look that had his laughter turning into a cough.

“Of course, Your Grace, I’m sure she will be delighted to be present,” the Viscount grumbled, reaching to ring for a maid.

“Yes, My Lord,” the maid said in a subservient manner as she awaited his instruction.

“Fetch Nora,” he said with a glower like a petulant child who was made to choose between his toys.

The maid returned with Nora before walking away. Samuel glanced at her, taking his time to make sure that there was not a single bruise on her. Satisfied, he nodded.

“Lady Nora, I am here to ask for your hand in marriage. Will you marry me?” he asked, ignoring Lord Worlington.

“Of course, she will. There is no other op?—”-”

“No, Your Grace. I do not wish to marry you,” Nora said, cutting off the Viscount.

“What? What do you mean you do not wish to marry him? He has ruined your reputation, and it is only right that he takes responsibility for it,” he shouted, pacing in front of her with a venomous look.

Samuel stared at her in shock. Much like the Viscount, he had expected her to say yes, especially after he had read her letter and knew that she loved him.

“Lady Nora, is there perhaps a reason why you do not wish to marry me?” he asked calmly.

Nora glared at the Viscount as he paced in front of her. She would not give him the satisfaction of knowing that he had won. She would never let him win.

All night, she had been bothered by the fact that for the Viscount, this was only a business transaction, although she had not expected much from the man. However, knowing thatSamuel wouldn’t be happy if she were to agree to the marriage was another reason that stopped her from doing so.

No one would be happy other than Lord Worlington, and she refused to give him the pleasure, as she would never be happy knowing that she had trapped Samuel into a marriage he did not wish to be in.

“I know that you truly do not wish to be married, Your Grace, and I cannot be happy knowing that you are stuck in an unhappy marriage you do not wish to be in. How could anyone ever wish that on someone they claim to love?

I will not let you marry me because of a scandal, when I know that you do not love me,” she finished.

“What are you on about, woman? What does it matter if he doesn’t wish to be tied down? Shouldn’t you have thought of that before you chose to meet in a secluded location and cause a scandal?” Timothy yelled, pointing a finger at her in anger.

“She accepts the proposal, Your Grace. She is merely in shock from all that happened last night,” he said to Samuel, before turning to her, his face turning into that of the monster he truly was.

She took a step back as he advanced on her, his finger pointed at her. “You. Get out now.”

Nora winced as she bellowed. She was used to the Viscount’s rage, and yet something about the way he approached her seemed different, like a man who was near losing his marbles.

“If you would leave us, Lord Worlington. I should like to speak with the lady alone,” Samuel said with barely restrained anger.

Nora watched the tick in his jaw as he glared at her stepfather. She waited for him to make his decision, her breath caught in her throat.

“This is not how things are meant to be done, Your Grace. This is a precarious situation, and I should be present for it,” the Viscount blustered.

“And you will be when she has accepted my suit and is ready to proceed with the marriage. Not a moment longer,” Samuel said, never budging on his decision.

He eyed the Viscount, who glared at both of them before walking out of the room.

Nora released the breath she did not realize she had been holding as the Viscount slammed the door shut behind him, mumbling as he went down the hallway. She waited until she could no longer hear him before turning to Samuel.

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