Page 15 of Unraveled By the Duke
He settled back into his seat, opposite Celia, but he was determined not to look at her.
Confirmation that I have been played by a couple of masters. I suggest the idea of marriage and help them avoid being the ones to mention it, and now I’m saddled with her. Doubtless, the dowry will not be deposited until she has wormed her way into my affections so that it can be negotiated to the Frid family’s benefit.
“Where are we going, may I ask?” Celia asked diffidently.
Alexander ignored her, stewing in his anger.
“If you are going to ignore me, this will be a very difficult marriage, will it not?” Celia prodded.
“No. It will be remarkably easy because it will involve very little change of lifestyle,” Alexander said. “We will be married in name only, and for the sake of the ton, we will maintain the illusion in public. In private, we will live separate lives. I will not trouble you for a husband’s prerogative.”
He looked away from her to avoid the stricken look on her face.
She is conspiring against me. This is all an act. I am trapped, but I will not falter and give any more ground to this greedy family.
“Thank you for being so frank with me, Your Grace,” Celia muttered in a tremulous voice.
Alexander heard the tears and glanced at her. She looked away quickly, her chin wobbling and her eyes wet. The act certainly seemed very genuine.
“What will that entail for you, I wonder?” she asked.
The carriage was creeping along Oxford Street eastward in the direction of Tottenham Court Road. The city seemed to cling to them, refusing to let them reach the green expanse of the country beyond its northern limits. The carriage was hot, and the air outside was full of sounds and smells that crowded in on them.
“Does it matter?” Alexander replied. “Why do you wish to know?”
Celia’s chin tensed, and she wiped at her eyes. “I ask because you are to be my husband. A wife should know something about the man she is married to, surely.”
Alexander shook his head. “You do not need to know. In private, we are to be strangers. Know this—your actions three nights ago may have cost me my best chance to give my sister the debut she deserves and needs. That may harm her social standing. I cannot feel good about that or about the person who caused it.”
Celia scoffed, and it incensed him.
“I understand that you racked up debts because of your gambling and lavish lifestyle. The Dowager Duchess and her daughter live in poverty while you attend balls and carouse.”
The words stung.
Why do they cut so when spoken by her? I knew of these rumors. Of course, I did. Why does it hurt when this woman repeats them? Her good opinion of me is not wanted or required.
“Then you have answered your own question, have you not?” Alexander said, leaning forward in his seat, arms resting on his knees, hands clasped in front of him to keep from pointing. That would be aggressive and intimidating.
He would not bully her, but merely state the facts.
“I will be spending my time being a rake, as you and everyone else have condemned me to be. Ask yourself something, Lady Celia. What clubs have I been seen in? What women have I seduced? Name them. Or are these rumors just that?”
What are you doing, you fool? You took the slings and arrows of the ton’s disapproval and ill feeling because it protected your father’s memory. Now, you’re risking it all just because she has pretty eyes? Or because you feel sorry for her?
He growled in his throat and looked away, disgusted with his weakness. No woman had affected him so much before. He sat back, glaring at the world outside the carriage.
Celia watched him, frowning, her head tilted to the side. “You are saying that the rumors are untrue? I know something of the lies and half-truths gossips tell. Is your reputation as a rake as unfounded as mine?”
“No. You misunderstand,” Alexander said sullenly.
“Then enlighten me,”
“No! Be silent!” Alexander roared, his anger fueled by fear that a woman he did not trust was digging close to his buried secrets.
“I will not!” Celia gave as good as she got.
There was fire in her eyes and the roar of a lion in the snap of her voice. She was magnificent. Fierce and unquenchable in her arousal.
