Page 35 of A Bride for the Devilish Duke
“I would say that it was Sir Silas Sutherland and that he is trying to find out what lies between us,” Emma replied.
Damien nodded. “Because if we were to marry, then your family would cease to be in thrall to him.”
Emma turned to look at Damien. His face was masked in shadow. She bit her lip, wondering how much she should acknowledge to be true. Her father would be mortified if his financial dire straits were to become public knowledge. But for Damien to offer help, he needed to know.
“Yes,” Emma said, finally.
It was a wrench to admit, but pride must be secondary to her family finally freeing themselves of Silas Sutherland. The name sent a chill down Emma's spine. The thought of the man, the very presence in the same room gave her a sharp twinge in her side at the precise spot that was now scarred.
“Then allow me to help. As a dutiful son-in-law,” Damien smiled charmingly.
“But you would not be a son-in-law. You would not be a son to my father, because, by your own admission, this is to be a marriage of convenience. We show the face of a happy couple to the public and live separate lives in private.”
“Yes, and if it makes the pretense easier for you to bear, then I will do everything I can to ease the burdens on your family and your father,” Damien replied.
He stood close to her, both whispering in case of eavesdroppers. She could smell his cologne, musky and intensely masculine. If she lowered her head, it would be resting upon his broad chest. A lift of her hand would leave her fingers brushing against his. The proximity of him was intensely exciting. She tried to think of anything else. Tried to push him from her thoughts. To think of him as the brutal, arrogant Sultan of her dreams who commanded and expected to be obeyed in everything.
“I will not be commanded,” she whispered, “you will not be lord over me. I am free.”
“You are as free as I am. Free to choose. Choose me, and both you and your family will have the liberty that comes with rank and wealth. Choose to reject me, and you will be slaves to your landlord. To poverty. Look at those in our society who have nothing. Are they free?”
Emma turned away. “I cannot deny the rightness of what you are saying. It feels wrong, like I am being tricked, but I cannot see the trap you are laying. I cannot deny the logic of your words.”
“There is no trap. I understand the battle you are going through,” Damien began.
“Youunderstand? Youthinkyou understand, you mean. Have you ever been forced into marriage in order to save your family? Has anyone tried to—”
“Yes!” Damien suddenly hissed, anger lighting up his words. “Yes, goddamn you! Do you think I chose you simply because you are beautiful, and intelligent, and strong-willed? Simply because you shine among your fellow women like a diamond amid glass? I am forced to seek marriage! For the sake of my family, myname.”
Emma was stunned. She had not considered that the Duke's hand was being forced.
Who could force him to do that which he did not wish to do?
“I cannot believe that the infamous Duke of Redmane can be coerced into actions that he does not wish to do,” she retorted, “that there is a man strong enough to bend you to his will. A circumstance that you cannot dominate and control. You could choose any woman, a princess would thank her maker for a glance from you. And yet...”
“And yet, I choose you. If I must marry. And Imust. Then it is you that I wish to marry,” Damien said, softly, but with molten heat underlying each syllable.
Emma felt the proximity of his lips. They had moved closer during the heat of their argument. The slightest shift of her toes would lift her lips to brush against his. She realized that she wanted that more than anything. She wanted the clocks to stop, the moon to freeze in its position in the sky, and the stars to cease their whirling. For everything to stop so that she could savor this moment forever. This glorious moment of anticipation with his warm breath on her mouth and his hands brushing her waist. His fingertips gently touching her, moving up her body.
“If this is to be a marriage of convenience to save your name, why do you touch me?” Emma whispered.
“I cannot help it. I know I should not. I have given you my rules and I must hold to them myself.”
But his grip on her waist firmed and Emma realized how much she craved it. His right hand touched the spot that was her secret shame. The symbol of her degradation at the hands of the worstof men. She froze for a moment and it was as though he was before her again, leering, promising ruination for her family if she did not comply. Emma shoved hard against Damien's chest and he staggered back.
“No!”
The sound shocked her.
It was a piercing scream that echoed and reverberated in the enclosed space. She could not believe that sound had come from her.
She spun away from him and ran, blind in the dark until something slammed into her stomach. Breath surged from her and she doubled over, suddenly finding herself suspended over a yawning chasm.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Damien could see Emma only by the pale hue of her yellow dress. He moved instinctively, aware of the proximity of the uncovered well. As he reached her, he realized with sudden horror that she had run into the low wall and now hung over the dark hole, leaning precariously.
Without thinking, he seized her about the waist and pulled her away from the danger. He spun to put himself between her and the well. Emma was crying and thrashing in his grip.
