Chapter 10 #2
He saw the moment that Arabella knew that this was the truth. Her face was clouded with something akin to guilt, but she found herself quickly, squared her shoulders, and faced him with renewed determination.
“I am here to clarify the situation,” she said finally.
“I believe that you made yourself quite clear, Miss Arabella,” he growled, remembering how she spoke to him in the carriage.
Arabella flinched again. But she didn’t back down or show any fear. Only determination.
“I am here to say that whatever happened,” Arabella looked away, “it had nothing to do with my family. They are not to blame for this.”
“So you‘re here to plead with a monster?”
He expected to see anger and fear at this comment, but she still held the capacity to surprise him. What flashed on her face couldn‘t have been mistaken for anything other than guilt.
“I‘m here to take responsibility for what has happened. The rules, the plan, were all my ideas. The goal was, of course, to have you withdraw your proposal. But I was the only instigator.”
Gerald looked at her, and he couldn‘t believe the strength that she had in that small, curvy frame.
“I know I offended you. I thought that this was the best idea to avoid this marriage, I never stopped to think that there are repercussions that may come upon my father and my sister. But they are not to blame.”
“You think of me as a man who would take revenge on the whole family of the woman who rejected him? Is this what you think of me?”
Arabella realized that her coming here today might have been equally offensive to him.
Sure, when his anger and fury flared, he had thought about what was most precious to Arabella and what he could do to make her feel as bad as he was feeling.
But he had to admit that it said more about him than her, to think that he was capable of such a thing.
“I just wanted to let you know, Your Grace,” Arabella continued, “that this was all my fault and my fault alone. If you have any resentment, that should be directed to me. If you feel the need to punish someone, then that someone should be me.”
“This is a very particular and unique way to ask for forgiveness, Miss Arabella,” he taunted.
Arabella did that same face that she did when he truly angered her, that flinch and that firmness of her lips that told him that she was trying not to speak her mind. She didn‘t, of course, realize that her big blue eyes did all the talking for her.
Despite being under such an irritated gaze, Gerald felt better than he had the whole day. This was the fun that Arabella was providing him. Her decisiveness, her stubbornness, her bravery. He took one step towards her to test all three.
“So it is you that I have to punish?”
Arabella said nothing, just looked ahead. In the light of his fireplace, he could see her figure, how the flames caught the elegant slope of her nose, the curves of her body. Arabella talked of his anger, but what was truly prevailing at this moment was his deep desire for this woman.
He took another step forth, approaching her steadily, his eyes trained on hers.
Arabella stood her ground, but her breath hitched, and the pulse on her neck picked up.
Her lips slightly opened, and the Duke read her body correctly.
She may have called him a monster, but she was not unaffected by him.
She was not the only one in this room who remembered what happened in that carriage.
“And what punishment did you have in mind, Miss Arabella?”
“I would do anything to protect my family.”
“You do realize what you‘re offering?”
He rejoiced at seeing her so lost. Her cheeks went bright red, her chest flared, and the look in her eyes was something between fear and anticipation.
“So what should I do about you, Miss Arabella?”
“Like I said. Anything, if you are not to attack my family.”
“You‘re asking a lot from a ruthless monster Duke.”
“Name your price.”
The smile on his lips was genuine. He had yet to meet anyone who was exactly like Arabella. He took one deliberate step towards her. He was now closer, and his body craved to be closer even more.
“Fine, you‘ve caught me in a magnanimous mood. You shall be the one to bear the consequences of your own actions.”
“What is it that you want, Your Grace?”
“I will do what you ask of me. I will spare your family. Your father and your sister will be safe from me. But you will have to give me something in return.”
Arabella was shaking in the middle of his study. He could tell it was part nerves and part fear. He took one last step, close enough to make her nervous.
“Let me see,” He said, looking down at her, “What is it that you can offer me?”
He deliberately let his gaze travel. Slowly. Down the elegant slope of her throat. The rise and fall of her breath. The trembling she tried valiantly to suppress. Arabella did not retreat. That, more than anything, stirred something dark and electric inside him.
“You speak of punishment,” he said quietly. “Of consequences.”
He stepped closer, not touching her, but near enough that she could feel the heat of him.
“And you volunteer yourself,” he said lowly.
“If… If that is what is required,” she breathed out.
He circled her, like a predator onto his prey, merely observing. For now. She held her ground, though her pulse betrayed her. He could see it fluttering at her throat. He chuckled softly.
“Anything, Miss Arabella?” He dared her one last time.
“Name your price,” Arabella said impatiently.
“Very well,” he leaned close. “You will grant me three nights.”