Page 5 of A Duke, a Virgin and a Baby
Her marriage to a Marquess only seemed to serve as proof that Sally and Percival were right in their ways. For months since hersister’s wedding, all she had heard was how important it was that Anna marry a man of even higher social status than her brother-in-law.
Anna had voiced, multiple times, that she did not need anything that came along with a high-standing man — she certainly wouldn’t put it above love and respect. But each time, her protests fell on deaf ears and now her mother had gone as far as to anger a Duke.
She had no idea that he had such a high rank. After they were found, he had wordlessly slipped past the crowd of people, ignoring everyone, including her.
Her mother had tried to speak to him but her face was colored with shame as she approached Anna after he walked away without looking in her direction, although the humility didn’t last very long, as Sally was soon praising Anna for doing better than she had expected.
Then the people around them began to mumble and murmur,
“Was that the Duke of Morland?”
“I believe it was! How shocking, to find him trifling with a young maiden in the dark.”
“You know what they say, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. With his haughty, prideful attitude and stance on propriety, Imust say, I am not surprised to see the duke finally caught in the act!”
For a moment, Anna had stood there as the realization dawned on her.
A duke.It had been a duke. She had spoken to him so disrespectfully and now her mother had gone as far as to trap him in a scandal with her.
“Why does she not understand that this has gone too far? Why are her desires more important than my well-being? Than my needs and wants?” Anna asked herself quietly, blinking back tears of frustration.
No matter what, she could not see this situation resolving easily. Not when they were dealing with a Duke. His attitude was telling that he was the worst person to make as an enemy and his words to her said that he might not care for propriety.
So, if he did not propose to her, her life and name were ruined. No man would ever look at her again, not when the whole ton knew by now that she was locked in a room with a man. If she was disliked before, she must be abhorred now.
If he did propose…
Anna shook her head, unwilling to think about it.
She slipped beneath her covers and squeezed her eyes shut.
“I wish this nightmare would end soon,” she muttered quietly, her chest feeling heavy with unease and discomfort.
But as she beckoned sleep to find her, she recalled how the duke had touched her, and she shivered, her body recalling the warmth that had radiated from his body and the feel of his breath against her ear.
One way or another, she had been ruined by this man.
Morning greeted Anna with a headache.
She could tell by how bright the rays of sunshine streaming into her room through the windows that she had woken up later than usual. Thoughts of what had transpired the day before haunted her well into the night, preventing her from falling asleep.
“My goodness,” she groaned as she sat on the bed.
Anna made her way around her room moments later, trying to get ready for the day that lay ahead of her, working up some courage to speak with her parents about their recent behavior.
“What happened yesterday was dangerous. Surely, they understand as much. Perhaps if I stand my ground, they will understand my feelings… I hope.” She said to herself quietly as she walked downstairs.
Right into a flurry of maids walking about in a hurry.
“Pardon me, Miss,” one of them curtsied apologetically before continuing on her way, leaving Anna in her haze of confusion.
She looked around, noticing that it seemed as though the whole house was bustling with activity, with maids and valets running about.
“Ah, darling! You have finally woken up! I was worried we would have to call the physician to check on your health.” Sally beamed, looking far too happy for the time of the day.
“I-I’m sorry,” Anna said, unsure of what she was apologizing for. “I couldn’t sleep much last night, but – what is going on?”
Sally clapped her hands with glee as her husband joined them by her side.
