Chapter 4 #2
“Some things can’t be replaced,” the Duke said stiffly. “Are you done with your questions now? Are we in agreement?”
“No. You told me that you’ve put me through all these tests so you could decide whether you can trust me. But I am not sure whether you are to be trusted.”
“Believe me, my Lady. You have no choice in any of this.”
“You’ve been in control of this situation from the start,” she pointed out. “I know my back may be against the wall in all this, but how do I know what your real motive is for this entire arrangement, assuming I am to agree to it?”
“With all due respect, Miss Norish,” he stated cooly, “the answer is clear. As I said, you have no choice, simply because there’s nothing I need from you except to find your father.
You have no reputation to lose, no money to risk, and I don’t see anyone else lining up to help you out of your situation.
Even if you don’t trust me, which frankly, you have no reason to, what other choice do you have if you want to salvage your reputation?
If your father is who I suspect he is, all this should be over in a week. ”
“What makes you think I care about my reputation. You said I plan to remain a spinster.”
He hesitated, and for a moment his eyes softened as though he felt sorry for her.
The next moment, the cool expression was back in place.
“Then think of your sister. This association might give her a better chance of finding a suitor. After tonight’s scene with Miss Burbank, there is no doubt that your ruined reputation will affect her future. ”
He was right. She had to think of Poppy. But it did not make the decision any easier.
“I need some time to think.” She placed a hand to her throbbing temple. “How do you even know one week would be enough to fish out my father? What if someone finds out? What happens to Poppy and me after one week?”
She turned her back on him, taking a few steps away. “This entire thing is a wicked plan that involves deceiving not only my father, but everyone close to me. As you said, I’m an honest person. I don’t know if I can do something like this.”
“Well…” the Duke of Pridewell tilted his head.
“You can, of course, turn me down if you want. But we both know you don’t have very long to think about things, with your sister’s debut Season hanging in the balance.
I know your father has withheld access to your dowries.
It was in the dossier that was delivered to me.
Don’t you want young Poppy to have a real chance at a proper marriage?
As for your other questions, I will handle all of that. ”
She turned sharply, looking up at this imposing figure. “How is that possible? The matter of our dowries is a private family matter.”
“Miss Norish, you must begin to believe me when I say I am a well-connected individual.”
“Then use your connections and get my father for yourself. I cannot be a part of this.”
She took a step away from him.
“Think of Poppy, Miss Norish. Think of the good this would do to her debutante Season. Surely, two spinsters would be too much for the Norish family.”
“Poppy is a beautiful and charming girl. She’ll find someone who will marry her for love, I’m sure of it,” Julia protested.
“Love doesn’t put bread on the table,” he replied. “Even you have to admit that a dowry improves your sister’s chances. Come, Miss Norish, are you telling me you’ve never lied to her before, even for her own benefit?”
Julia swallowed nervously. It was almost as if he knew about the one-week deadline. He couldn’t possibly know - only Lord and Lady Bendon had been in the room with her. No, he was just trying to get under her skin. Unfortunately for her, it had worked.
He stepped close enough so that she could smell the sweet mint from his breath. For some reason, her heart began to race. This time, she was sure, it was behaving thusly for a totally different reason.
“It’s practically a brief moment of deceit to secure a lifetime of happiness. At least for your sister.”
Julia bit her lip. He was right. She’d been willing to lie to Poppy already for the sake of finding her a husband, so what was the difference here?
She was drawing moral boundaries because the Duke was a stranger, and she didn’t know if she could trust him; but after tonight, what other choice was there? There was one thing she could secure.
“Promise me that if we do get engaged, when you see my father, you will persuade him to release our dowries. Promise.”
He inclined his head briefly. “I will do my best.”
Her train of thought was interrupted by approaching footsteps. The Duke turned quickly and made his way out into the hallway. “Think about it, Miss Norish. I’ll find you later to hear your answer.”
He headed off swiftly down the corridor, and within a moment, he had gone from sight. Julia leaned heavily against the wall, letting out a breath she didn’t even know she’d been holding. Being in a room with him was an intense sensation and had made her feel giddy.
The footsteps grew louder and paused at the door. A familiar face peeked into the darkened room. “Julia?”
“Aunt Violet!”
“Are you alright, darling? What are you doing in here all alone?”
“I came out here after Miss Burbank…” Julia trailed off. She’d forgotten all about what had happened in the ballroom. How could she go back there and face those people?
Lady Bendon made a face. “Don’t spare a thought for Miss Burbank. She’s a well-known personality in London. If anything, it was my fault for encouraging Lord Blackwell to introduce himself to Poppy. I should have known that harridan would cause a fuss about it.”
“So they aren’t engaged?”
“Not at all. The wedding negotiations broke down because the poor man couldn’t stand her. Not that she’s willing to accept it. I thought perhaps I’d be able to do everyone a favor by getting him out of that mess and finding Poppy a suitor at the same time. He’s a nice boy.”
“He did seem very winsome,” Julia admitted. “I think Poppy was quite taken with him. I hope all this didn’t scare him off.”
“On the contrary,” Lady Bendon smiled. “They’ve danced twice more since you left and seem to be getting on very well.
Miss Burbank is rather put out by it all.
” Julia’s hopes soared. Perhaps if Poppy were serious about Lord Blackwell, she could get an offer before the week was out, and she wouldn’t have to agree to the Duke’s deal after all.
As if her thoughts had somehow summoned his name into existence, her aunt suddenly spoke. “I saw the Duke leaving the ballroom just after you did. You haven’t run into him, have you?”
Julia decided her aunt could be trusted. “We crossed paths briefly. Nothing untoward happened, and nobody saw us.”
“Alright. Good.” The older woman nodded. “What did he want?”
Julia shook her head. “I wish I knew.”
“Be careful with that one,” Lady Bendon warned sagely as she took Julia’s arm and began to walk back to the ballroom. “He’s certainly got a lot of admirable qualities, but something about him puts me on edge a little. I think there’s more to his nickname than just his looks.”
Julia nodded. “The Lion? Agreed.”
It was easy to see why the moniker stuck.
It wasn't just the golden cast of his looks, but the deliberate, heavy stillness of his presence.
Even during their conversation, he hadn't fidgeted or offered the usual anxious pleasantries of the ballroom; he had simply watched her with a keen, unblinking intensity that made her feel entirely cornered.
He moved with a quiet, dangerous confidence that suggested he was fully aware of his own power in this room, leaving Julia with the distinct impression that he was a man who didn't merely participate in society—he governed it.