Page 50 of A Duke for Hire

Acid bloomed in Seraphina’s stomach and crept up into her throat, making her insides shrink and spasm.

“Do not look so displeased,” her mother chastised. “Your father has gone to great lengths to appease the Earl. You should be thankful!”

A sneer touched her father’s lips and she quickly curtseyed toward him, knowing it was a sin to go against any of his wishes.

“Of course, Papa, I am thankful,” she said quickly. “For everything you have done for me. I am simply surprised that it is finally happening.”

“Well it was no small feat,” he admonished, straightening his cravat. “There was much appeasement to be given, but yes, dear girl, we have finally found you a husband.”

“Do I hear talk of myself?” Martin asked, approaching.

“Ah, and there he is,” Mary sang, smiling wide at him as he joined them. “Yes, My Lord, we were just sharing the good news with your future bride.”

“Good news, indeed,” Martin replied.

He then reached for Seraphina’s waist, and tugged her rather roughly to his side.

“I am quite content with the deal we have reached, Your Grace,” he went on, not bothering to speak to Seraphina. “It is most gracious.”

“I would hope you feel so,” The Duke of Caldermere chuckled, “You are gaining much more than a wife.”

“Indeed,” Martin replied, smiling as his fingers tightened painfully around Seraphina.

“Now, as for the announcement, I was thinking shortly after we have all gathered for breakfast…”

Seraphina drew further inside herself as her parents and future husband talked. None of them seemed to notice that she was not participating in the conversation, and she realized, with growing dread, that this was going to be her entire future. They would plan everything for her. Her wedding. Her children. Possibly even her time of death. No control. No freedom whatsoever.

Her life. Her chance at a choice. It was all gone now.

Hugo was staring into the fire as he heard the knock on his door. It was growing late, near midnight, but the other guests were still partying rather noisily downstairs. For a moment he thought to ignore the knocking, thinking it could possibly be Tristan or Everett, coming to encourage him back. But then he thought of Seraphina. Could it possibly be her?

He was still mad at her; still unsure if she was using him as a crutch to get away from her life or if she was actually considering his proposal. When the knocking continued, growing more insistent by the second, he pushed himself away from the fireplace, and went to answer it.

“What took you so long?” Seraphina whispered, her tone full of sharp and ragged-edged as she pushed past him into his room.

His agitation grew, and he chose not to answer her as he pushed the door closed. He knew was playing a dangerous game with her; that his chances at winning her were growing smaller by the minute. Tension roiled through his body, making his shoulders feel stiff and his abdomen coil like a metal spring. Still, he could not deny the pleasure that rose within him upon seeing that it was her. Even if it was going to be the last time.

“Are you not going to say something?” Seraphina insisted after another long moment of silence.

“It depends on why you are here,” he replied, frowning as he took a step toward her.

“Are you here to beg release on my tongue again or are you here to accept my proposal?”

Seraphina blushed wildly at his words, and damn him if he did not enjoy it.

“I…”

“Do not offer me lies or I will grow angry,” he warned before she could say anything else. He could tell by the expression on her face that she was reaching for a falsehood.

“Tell me the truth,” he demanded.

The moment he said so, Seraphina’s shoulders slumped and sadness etched her face. Immediately he regretted his jagged tone, and wished he didn’t feel so torn. No woman had ever made him feel like this; like he had no control.

“You are right,” Seraphina sighed, gathering herself, “I was going to offer you an excuse, but you deserve more than that. But I am not here for your… ‘relaxation’ either. I have received some news this evening, and I… I have come to say goodbye.”

As quickly as his anger had dampened, it renewed.

“Goodbye?” He bit out, taking a step toward her.

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