Page 66 of Taken By the Dangerous Duke

“Yes, I’m terrified. I think I am falling for the man, but I don’t think he is falling for me. Perhaps in a different time and in a different place, things could be different, but he has gone through too much trauma to want to be with me—with anyone. I will give him a child, and I will figure out my life after that.”

“That sounds so terrible,” admitted Cynthia. “You are in a prison more than I ever was. But you must speak with him. You don’t know how he feels, and if there is a chance, you have to take it.”

“That is what I am afraid of. Right now, there is a chance, but if I talk to him, that chance could be taken away. Is it not better to live with hope that to know it is all over. I thought I had made a silly mistake by entering into this agreement, but it is the best thing I have ever done. I finally feel wanted and needed. I don’t know if I can explain it very well—I’m not even sure if I know how I feel.”

“I don’t know how you feel, but I am here for you,” reminded Cynthia.

“And I am here for you too,” said Margaret. “We are a pair, aren’t we? Just look at the trouble we have both become embroiled in.”

Cynthia did not respond to the statement. Neither woman spoke again as they traveled back to the duke’s residence. Margaret did not even glance over at her friend. She wanted her friend's help, but how could Cynthia make sense of this situation if Margaret could not. She was not even sure if she was going to tell the duke yet about being with child, preferring to draw it out a little longer in the hope that something would change.

The carriage arrived back at the house, and there was another carriage in the drive. The footman came to the side of the coach to open the door and help down Margaret first and then Cynthia. The door was opened for the two ladies, and Margaret could hear the laughter as soon as they were in the entranceway.

After their coats were taken, Margaret led Cynthia down the long corridor to the card room where cards were not being played, but jovial conversation was being had.

“My dear,” said Arthur, looking toward the doorway. “You are back. And, from the looks of it, everything has gone well.”

“Yes, it has,” she replied. Margaret looked from Arthur to Parker to Elspeth. “I would like to introduce you both to my friend Cynthia.”

“Cynthia,” exclaimed Parker, holding his arms out wide. “Arthur has been updating us on your situation, and we are prepared to fight alongside you.”

“Whatever you need,” added Elspeth. “Will you tell me all about your time in prison? I can’t imagine what it must have been like, and it is grotesquely fascinating to me.”

Cynthia looked at Margaret quickly before moving across the room to sit down beside Elspeth.

Margaret looked around the room. She was accumulating family around her. She had the duke, and she knew he would be a part of her life in some capacity no matter what happened. Cynthia was out of prison and by her side—perhaps she would convince her to move to York and away from the atrocities of London. And then there was Parker and Elspeth. She had not known them for long, but she considered them good friends already, and she hoped they would remain together. The only person she was missing was Aunt Bertha.

“Are you well?” asked Arthur, looking up from his conversation with Parker. He placed a hand on her wrist, drawing Margaret toward him.

“Everything is fine,” she replied. Margaret took another look around the room—if ever there was a moment, this was it. She placed her hand over Arthur’s and addressed the room. “I have an announcement to make.”

Everyone looked over at Margaret, and Cynthia had a smile on her face, knowing exactly what was about to be announced.

“It is still early, so I would like it to be kept a secret for now, but I can’t think of any other people I would rather tell this to. I went to the doctor here in London, and he confirmed what I already knew.” Margaret looked down at the duke. “I am with child.”

“Ha!” boomed the duke. He jumped up from his seat, and took Margaret in his arms, eagerly at first, but then more tenderly, loosening his grip around her midriff. “Huzzah! That is wonderful news.”

“That is wonderful news!” shouted Parker, also getting to his feet to congratulate the couple.

Cynthia and Elspeth soon joined them, a happy group in the middle of the room.

“This is the most wonderful news,” exclaimed Arthur, holding his wife tightly. “You have blessed me with a child—after all we have been through. I knew that this was meant to be.”

“I am so happy for you,” said Elspeth.

“We must celebrate this occasion,” announced Parker. “I can’t think of better news to hear right now.”

“Yes, a big celebration, but only with thosein the know,” giggled Elspeth.

“Thank you, everyone,” said Margaret.

“I am so happy,” said the duke. “My father will be looking down at us with a smile on his face. This truly is delightful news.”

“It is,” agreed Margaret. She felt the love in the room from everyone around her, and she still could not believe that she had this sort of love and happiness in her life, but she did not really agree with the duke.

He was overjoyed at the news, ecstatic that his father would get what he wanted, and there was no hint that he was saddened by any of it. He had not reacted to her saying she loved him, even if it was blurted out on the spur of the moment, and now he was as happy as she had ever seen him.

But, inside, Margaret was not happy. It truly was joyous news, but she knew what it meant, and from the way the duke was acting, it confirmed that he wanted to honor the agreement. She would give birth to the duke’s child, possibly a male heir, in eight months or so, and then they would separate for good.

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