Page 7 of A Bride for the Wicked Duke

“And only if by the end of this ball I see proof that you are not playing me for time. That you do intend to find a suitor.”

“Proof? What do you mean? What proof?”

“I will be there,” he said to her. “I will be watching you. And I will be the one to determine if you are true to your word, or if you are playing your own game. Is that understood?”

Aurelia considered the offer. Not the one she wanted. Certainly not one she thought herself capable of achieving.One night? That is how long he expects me to take to find someone? That is insane!Sadly, she also knew she had no choice.

“Fine,” she hissed at him. Her heart was racing, but not from fear. Rather, it was anger that did it. “If that is what you require, consider it done. But I warn you...” She raised both eyebrows at him. “If you lie to me or change the rules or do anything to go back on your word. This...” She indicated to the room. “Everyone single lord and lady in the ton will hear of this.”

“As they will of you,” he snarled. Then, oddly, he smiled and even laughed, shaking his head as he turned and walked back to his desk. “Leave me,” he sighed as he collapsed back in his chair. “Before I change my mind.”

“But --”

“Now!” he roared.

Aurelia didn’t need telling twice.

She was quick to turn on the spot, throw open the door, race back through the gaming room, and find herself on the street before taking even a single breath. Thus, it wasn’t until she began toward the carriage, parked down the end of the road, that she was able to properly consider what had just happened and whether it was advantageous or not.More like suicidal.

The duke was not what he seemed. Rosalind could never find out. Aurelia had to find a husband at the next ball. And all the while her heart beat inside her chest and her body ran all the warmer as her mind drifted back to the duke and the way he stood over her, the look in his eyes as he glared at her, and how it made her stomach flip with feelings which she refused to acknowledge.

* * *

Aurelia did not sleep very well that night, for obvious reasons. Such that it was the following morning as she made her way to the breakfast room that her mind was very much still on the previous evening and what to make of it.

“... we have no choice, mother,” she heard her brother arguing with her mother in the breakfast room. “And I would appreciate your support, rather than your constant bickering.”

Aurelia’s eyes widened and she came to a stop just outside the room.

“I am not trying to upset you, Daniel,” her mother said. “I am simply saying that perhaps it is prudent that we do not accept the first offer that comes our way. Eveline is only --”

“She knows what is expected of her,” Daniel snapped. “Just as you should also. Oh, do not give me that look,” he then sighed. “You think I want her marryinghim. Of course I don’t! But he has money, and I know for a fact that he will happily pay what is owed. We have no choice!”

“I know, I know,” her mother sighed regretfully. “I just wish we had more time. Just as I wish your father had not left us in this position in the first place,” she added bitterly.

Aurelia felt a pang of worry stab at her, for she knew exactly what her mother and brother were arguing about. The ball the previous evening was Eveline’s arrival onto the scene, a means to introduce her to eligible lords so that they might find her a match. And not just a match, but a match willing to pay off their family’s debts once and for all.

However, even Aurelia had not expected it to happen so quickly. She had hoped that with Eveline being as troublesome and chaotic as she was, that it would take time, perhaps all Season before she caught the eye of a willing suitor. That at least would give Aurelia time to make good on her promise to the duke. But if they had found a willing suitor already...there is only one type of man who would say yes so quickly.A shudder ran through Aurelia’s body.

She loved her younger sister, even if she was known to cause headaches capable of splitting Aurelia’s skull into two pieces. And the last thing Aurelia wished for was to see her married to a monster, a man who would ruin her life for the sole purpose of saving her family. A situation they should have never been in, in the first place!

It was this love, and this determination, which steeled Aurelia’s resolve for there was one thing she knew she could do. What she had to do.

“Mother, Daniel...” Aurelia walked into the breakfast room. “I need to speak with you both.”

“Aurelia,” her mother greeted with a tired smile. “I am afraid that now is not the time.”

“It will not take long,” Aurelia said. “Just a quick announcement and I will be on my way.” She looked between her mother and brother, making sure that they were listening. “I have been giving it some thought, and I have decided that...” A lump appeared in her throat. “I have decided that in light of our family’s troubles, it behooves me to do what I can to help.”

Daniel scoffed. “Aurelia, this does not concern --”

“I intend to marry,” she spoke over him. “And as soon as I can. In fact, at this coming ball, I plan on doing everything in my power to find a suitor willing to cover our debts.” She swallowed. “No matter who he is.”

As expected, her mother and brother were struck speechless with surprise.

“Eveline is young,” she continued. “She has her whole life ahead of her. What is more, she deserves more than to be married to a man who does not appreciate her. Me, on the other hand...” She shrugged. “I figure that regardless of who I marry, I am never going to be happy. So why not make it count.”

“Aurelia...” Her mother still looked shocked, as if she did not recognize the girl standing before her. “That is... are you sure?”

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