Page 35 of The Sound of Temptation

“Elisabeth,” she scolds me in a stern, voice. “I know you still love that boy who broke your heart, but he's not coming back. And you have to move on. You haven’t even tried.”

“I’m not waiting on him, I push back. “Just because I haven’t had a relationship, doesn’t mean I haven’t moved on.” The words ring hollow in my ears when I hear them and it makes me so mad. “I don’t want to even think about him, Jude.”

“It’s okay, my love. It’s not a weakness, it’s just a fact of life. You won’t have love like that again, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be happy. But first you have to let him go.” Her voice takes on a soothing maternal tone that normally makes me feel better, but I detest the sympathy there, too.

“I’m not holding on to him,” I protest. “I just don’t want to get married for any reason other than love.”

“Then do that - but for the love of yourself. Find an accomplice, set your terms, and get the hell out of there.”

12

Beth

Deals that Devils Make

“I got your message. Is this a good time?”

My head whips up at Duke’s hedging, overly polite tone.

After my call with Jude, I went home and slept on it. This morning, I woke up resolved and in agreement. And despite how much the idea of actually being married to him repulses me, I decided that Duke would make a perfect accomplice. I haven’t seen much of him since that disastrous morning in my father's office.

I kept waiting for him to show up lording his triumph over me and making a show of being in charge. He never did. In fact, the only time he’s spoken to me is when I’ve spoken to him first. And that’s only happened once before today.

“Yeah, sure. Thanks for coming by, have a seat.” I nod at the chair in front of me and smooth the stack of papers on my desk.

“You doing okay?” he asks as he sits down across from me.

I clear my throat and fold my hands in my lap to keep from fidgeting. “I’m fine. Keeping busy, and making plans.”

His gaze sharpens and he straightens in his seat. “You said it was important, but your message was vague. Tell me what you want, Beth.”

Surprised by his forthrightness, but happy to skip the small talk, I get straight to it. “I want to get married, so I can claim my inheritance and I think you’re the perfect person to help me do that.”

He blinks like I splashed water in his face and laughs, his eyes wide with incredulity. “Are you serious? You acted liked you were being sentenced to death when your father suggested it. Why the change of heart?”

“I haven't had a change of heart. I don't want to marry you anymore than you want to marry me.”

He rolls his eyes and chuckles. “That’s your pride talking, everyone wants to marry me. And yes, I was holding out for one of those princesses in Europe. But your inheritance is larger than most of theirs.”

He looks so self-assured. I can’t imagine that a princess, no matter how minor, wouldn’t have better prospects than him.

I may not be a prize, but at least I’m not delusional.

But if I want his help, I need to tread carefully when it comes to his extremely delicate ego. And I’ve got him right where I want him, so I keep those thoughts to myself.

"So you said yes for the money.”

“Yes. That man has me by the balls. That money was going to be my ticket out of here.” His lip curls in disdain at the mention of my father, and I give myself a mental fist bump.

“But marriage, Duke? Bethany was who you loved, and I’m nothing like her.”

He gives me a dispassionate once over and shrugs. “You’re close enough.”

I sputter a shocked laugh. “Close enough?”

He shrugs again, relaxes in the chair, and crosses his legs. “Yes. Yeah, I loved her. She loved me, even though I didn’t deserve her. And we were gonna get married and get the hell out of town. But then she got sick and that was that.”

“You were going to leave town? No way. Bethany loved it here.”

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