Page 15 of The Duke's Unclaimed Bride
Edith swallowed hard. She deeply disliked relying on others for things she believed she could do herself, but…
She was not a duke. She was only a widow.
“And how would this arrangement benefit you? I am not any lady. I am a scandalous widow with a commoner ward,” Edith prodded.
“I would gain a wife and a child,” the Duke said softly, looking back at her.
The deep blue of his eyes shimmered in the soft candlelight.
Edith shivered, then arched an eyebrow. Even in hypotheticals, this man, who had only met her and her ward tonight, was already calling Tilly his own.
He rose and walked toward her. “Are you afraid of me?” he asked, his voice now a gentle rumble.
“No,” she replied. “I have no reason to be. But why us?”
His expression was hard, but not unkind. Edith could feel his gaze piercing her soul once again.
Her heart fluttered as she looked at the handsome man before her. The scars that unsettled others only increased his appeal.
At last, he nodded. “You and your ward are the only women who have looked me in the eye for more than two seconds in years,” he explained. “I would prefer to have a wife and child who do not cower or faint at the sight of me.”
“And how do you know that Tilly wouldn’t be afraid of you?” Edith asked, tilting her head to look up at him.
“Because she’s looking at me without fear right now,” he said, nodding toward the doorway.
Edith turned her head to see Tilly standing in the hallway that led to the parlor, peeking at the scene.
“Tilly, I said, go to bed,” Edith said, rising and moving toward the door.
Tilly let out a frustrated sigh, and Edith could see her little hands tightly gripping her skirt. “But?—”
“No buts, little miss.” Edith took her shoulder and steered her toward the stairs.
“He’s nice… for a duke,” Tilly whispered.
Edith nodded and watched Tilly go upstairs before turning back to the Duke. “Why are you making this offer?” she asked skeptically, leaning against the doorframe.
“As I said, to gain a wife and a child.”
Edith bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from snapping. She could feel her blood pressure rising with each evasive response.
“Yes, but Tilly is a girl. You are aware of this, no?”
“I am,” he replied, raising an eyebrow.
“As such, Tilly would never be your heir,” Edith pointed out.
The Duke shook his head. “Who said anything about an heir? I am not looking for an heir.”
Edith frowned in confusion. “Most gentlemen want heirs.”
“I am not most men.”
Edith searched his eyes, hoping to catch a hint of dishonesty or some glimpse into his thoughts.
“I must admit I am suspicious,” she said softly. “You must realize how strange this looks. A man I don’t know defends me and my ward, then comes to our home proposing marriage. For what, to gain a child? Why would you want a child, but not an heir?”
The parlor held its breath as silence stretched between them. The Duke looked at her, then dropped his gaze. Edith swallowed hard, her heartbeat loud in her ears.
