Chapter 3 #2
“It will be for me. I have the resources and abilities to do so. You needn’t worry – all you need to do is marry me and all your worries shall be taken care of.” He assured easily.
“That sounds too good to be true,” Rowland remarked as he narrowed his gaze at the duke.
“To you, perhaps, and understandably so. Trust me – it will be in my best interest to ensure the well-being of my wife’s family is taken care of. You have my word that this will be resolved smoothly.” The duke said with a smirk.
Rowland seemed irritated still, but his eyes looked thoughtful as he turned to Phoebe. After a moment, he asked her sincerely,
“Do you wish to do this? Marry him? We can find another way – no matter how long it might take.”
Phoebe glanced at the duke and nodded as she faced her brother once more.
“I am certain I want to do this. This is the only way we have at this moment. It might be worth a shot.” She stated, standing straighter.
Rowland appeared dissatisfied with her reply, but he seemed to disregard whatever reservations he still had in favor of addressing the duke again.
“Phoebe has agreed, and as such, I will respect her decision. Regardless, I hope I do not need to include a request for her well-being to be prioritized as a part of the deal.”
Edward nodded, “Of course not. I would never put my wife in harm’s way. She will want for nothing. You have my word.”
At last, Rowland was able to accept the situation, and he told Phoebe,
“You may see him out.”
The duke walked ahead and Phoebe trailed behind him silently as they walked to the door, using the chance to take in his form.
She had been too nervous to properly look at him during her visit to his estate last night, but now that things had taken a much different turn, she felt compelled to really see him.
He was tall, enough that she had to tilt her head slightly as her eyes roamed over his broad shoulders, up the curve of his neck to settle on his dark hair – the ends of which curled elegantly at the back of his neck.
When he turned to her, it was instinctive, the way her eyes followed the sharp angle of his jaw, before rising to take in his handsome face.
“Miss Danvers, how do you feel about getting married as soon as possible? Say – within a week?” he queried gently.
Phoebe took a moment to think about it, quickly coming to a decision.
“I do not mind. The sooner I fulfil my end of the bargain, the sooner you can fulfil yours.”
“That is true, but I trust you will not go back on your word, and as such, I already intended to begin as I have planned on the matter concerning your sister as soon as tomorrow morning. I imagine you would like it handled swiftly.”
“I would prefer that, yes. Thank you, Your Grace. You are… far more gracious than I expected,” she could not help but say, surprised by his kindness.
Edward grinned. “I can imagine. Like I said – it would benefit me as well if things were all right with your family. After all, I will need you to be able to focus on your duties as my wife, while we are married.”
A thought was echoing in Phoebe’s head for a while, and she felt as though she could no longer ignore it.
“Might I ask a question, Your Grace?”
He nodded as they came to a stop at the driveway of the estate, only a few feet away from his carriage.
“You may.”
Phoebe blurted, “Why did you place an advertisement in the newspaper instead of simply courting a woman? I know you said you had no interest in mingling with debutants, but there are surely other more mature women who might have suited you better. You are a duke. You must have many women whose only dream is to marry you. So... why?”
She expected him to hesitate or show some visible reluctance to answer, but he spoke up almost immediately after she fell silent.
“Well, that is because I would like to have an heir as soon as possible. Engaging in a courtship would not only take too long, but it would also encourage fantastical ideas. I need a duchess who would not have any expectations of me – a practical match involving two adults who have needs to be met and are aware that a union is necessary for their goals to be achieved. All that I want from you is a child, Miss Danvers.”
When she had discovered the advertisement, Phoebe could hardly imagine what sort of man would be so...
forward as to publicize his search for a wife.
Now that she knew the reason for it, it made her nervous for some reason, because she was suddenly aware of what it would take to give him what he wants.
It was as though he could read her mind and had witnessed the realization of what lay ahead of them dawned on her.
Phoebe looked up to find him approaching her steadily, her heart beating quicker with every step he took.
When he was close, he reached out to hold her face, his touch setting her nerves alight as his fingers curled around her chin.
“I will see you at the wedding, Miss Danvers. I hope you are looking forward to it as much as I am,” he murmured, lowering his gaze to her lips as his thumb pressed against them lightly.
Phoebe found herself unable to move, barely breathing as she was pinned by the dark look in his eyes.
He smirked, shifting his thumb to trace the outline of her lower lip, remarking in the same tone,
“Just so you know, I am very satisfied with my decision.”
And then suddenly his touch was gone, leaving Phoebe to blink at his retreating form. She watched him leave, vaguely aware of the chill settling within her as her skin as it silently longed for the return of his warm touch.