Chapter 19
Nineteen
“Dominic, let me explain.” Austin raised both hands in surrender.
He did not think it through before he blurted out his idea to save Deena. But it was too late to correct himself. Austin couldn’t bear to stand by while Deena cried and looked so helpless.
Dominic shoved back from the table so hard his chair fell behind him. “You damn right you’re going to explain. You just proposed to my sister in the middle of a family crisis like you’re ordering another cup of tea.”
“Not proposed,” Austin corrected quickly. “It’s an offer. There’s a difference.”
Dominic’s nostrils flared. “Semantics. You think I’m going to let you—”
“Dominic.” Selina’s voice cut him off. She stood up and laid her hand on his forearm. “Let him speak.”
The dowager tapped her cane once, unable to hide her delight. Austin almost chuckled when he saw the mischievous glint in her eyes. “Yes, do let him speak. I, for one, am fascinated.”
Austin exhaled through his nose; his gaze flicked to Deena.
She hadn’t moved from her seat. Her hands were clenched in her lap so tightly the knuckles showed white.
The damned paper lay open in front of her, revealing her secrets to the world, and Austin had now just added to her shock with his impromptu proposal.
I will find her blackmailer and—
“Now is not the time to daydream, Austin.”
He forced himself to look back at Dominic.
“That’s exactly it,” he said. “There’s no time.
I’m in that article, too. But Deena…she’s cornered.
We all know what happens next if she stays in London.
Doors close, invitations vanish, and whispers turn to outright cuts.
She’ll be forced to leave London, and she won’t be welcome back in Paris, either.
The person who wrote that story made sure that no one would trust Deena again. ”
Austin’s mind circled back to Dominic’s quiet warning about women and how they were ruined by the mere hint of scandal.
He pictured it too vividly: Deena’s bright eyes dimming, her sharp laugh silenced, her shoulders curving inward under the weight of endless judgment, and with her blackmailer on the loose, she wasn’t safe.
The thought twisted in his gut like a blade.
He could not bear it.
He would not watch her be destroyed by the same poison that had already driven her from England once. Not when he had a reason to marry, too.
Dominic’s jaw worked. “And your solution is to marry her?”
“Yes.” Austin kept his tone level. “She becomes Duchess of Windemere, and her title becomes armor. No one will ever come close to hurting her. I’ll make sure of it. Personally.”
Selina tilted her head. “You’d shield her?”
“Completely. You have my word.” Austin’s eyes flicked to Deena again. She still hadn’t spoken, and her silence worried him greatly.
Dominic sighed loudly. “You are not the kind of man I will willingly give my sister to.”
His words hurt, but Austin understood his friend’s distrust. Selina was right about his reputation standing in the way of marriage.
“I understand that, Dominic, I truly do. But I swear that I will keep my marital vows. And if Deena chooses to marry me, she gets to stay in London. She keeps her place in Society. She keeps her freedom to live how she wants. There will be no exile. And no hiding. And she will be protected.”
Deena lifted her head at that, and Austin watched as understanding slowly dawned on her.
Dominic approached him and crossed his arms stubbornly.
Damn Archdalls and their unyielding ways.
“And I’m sure that you benefit greatly from this union as well?” He studied Austin with narrowed eyes.
Austin didn’t hesitate. “You know that this is the reason I came here. I had to find a wife. I meant to choose…carefully. I needed someone spotless; someone who’d make my own rumors disappear.
Deena is…” He paused, searching for the right word.
“Unimpeachable in the ways that matter. She’s an Archdall.
She’s intelligent. She’s loyal. And she’s already seen the worst of me and hasn’t run screaming. ”
A beat of silence passed between the two friends.
Dominic’s voice dropped dangerously low. “The Velvet Duke and my sister?” He shook his head in disbelief. “The man whose bedroom exploits are printed on every breakfast table in London?”
“Deena has been exploited too.” Austin met his eyes without flinching.
He knew he made his point when Dominic said nothing.
“Forget our reputations, Dom. Look at it as though you’re handing your sister to the man who’s spent the last week protecting her.
I want her to be safe and happy. . I want her to experience all the good things life has to offer.
I believe that you’ll be handing her over to your loyal best friend who truly cares about her. ”
Dominic’s fists clenched at his sides as the two of them faced each other. Austin was prepared to be punched in the face. He expected nothing less from the Stone Duke, but his friends eyes softened and when Selina spoke, his fists relaxed.
“Dominic. Austin’s right about one thing. If Deena marries a duke, any duke, the doors that are slamming shut right now will swing wide open again. And her scandal will eventually become… background noise. People will forgive a great deal when there’s a coronet involved.”
Dominic spoke without looking at her. “You’re agreeing with this, Selina?”
“I’m saying it’s an option.” Selina’s voice stayed calm. “A strong one. And it’s better than exile.”
“Better than forcing her to live alone in the country with a potential madman who’s after her,” Their grandmother added drily.
Deena finally moved. Her voice was quiet, but Austin and the others did not miss it.
“I can’t marry him.”
Every head turned to her.
Dominic’s tone softened instantly. “Dee—”
“I can’t.” She looked at Austin, eyes glistening. “I can’t marry you just to save myself. It’s not fair to you.”
Austin’s chest constricted. Even in the heat of their situation, she affected him so. He longed to hold her, wipe her tears away and remind her that she was more than what people say.
“Deena—”
“No.” She shook her head. “You deserve someone who wants the title. Someone who wants the position.”
Austin stepped forward. “It’s not about what we want anymore; it’s about convenience.”
She stilled again and he feared that she may remain silent again.
Deena stared at him. “You don’t mean that. Selina told me that you’re looking for the right woman. I’m clearly not right for anyone.”
How untrue her words are.
“I was looking for the right woman.” He held her gaze. “I’ve spent the last week watching every eligible woman in this house parade past me. And, Deena, I’ve come to realize that there is no such thing as the right wife or husband,” He said matter-of-factly.
Not one of them made me feel anything close to what you do.
Dominic cleared his throat. “Austin, if Deena does not—”
“Dom, I know this isn’t how either of us pictured it.
I know it’s fast. I know it’s messy. But I also know I can’t stand here and watch you and your entire family be driven out of London again.
Not when I can stop it. Not when a simple marriage can fix everything.
” A moment of understanding passed between them.
Selina’s eyes shimmered as she stood behind her husband.
Dominic exhaled hard. “You really mean this?”
Austin looked at his oldest friend. “I do.”
Dominic studied him for a long moment, searching and weighing. Finally, he nodded in agreement.
“Then you have my blessing.” His voice cracked just slightly.
“What?” Deena gasped.
“How marvelous!” The dowager clapped her hands together.
“But…” Dominic jabbed a finger into Austin’s chest, “if you ever make her cry or hurt her, I will end you. Title or no title.”
Austin inclined his head. “I will protect her. You have my word.”
The dowager clapped her hands again, absolutely delighted with the news, unlike the rest of the room. “Well! That settles it. We’ll need a special license immediately. I’ll send for the archbishop’s secretary this afternoon.”
Deena stood suddenly on shaky legs, and Austin had to fight the urge to run to her side and help her. “But Grandmother—so soon?”
“Yes, dear.” The dowager sashayed towards her granddaughter and held her hands. “As we have all pointed out, we don’t have much time. We will have a quiet ceremony, of course. Family only. And we’ll announce it afterward, when the dust has settled.”
Deena looked between them all, eyes wide with panic or fear. Austin wasn’t sure. “Wait—”
The dowager waved a hand to stop her. “No waiting. The sooner the better. Tongues will wag regardless; so, let them wag about a duke’s wedding instead of a scandal.”
Deena’s voice rose. “But I—”
Austin stepped closer to her, and she stopped talking. “Dee, you don’t have to decide right this second. But the offer stands. Always.”
He searched her face, willing her to agree with his plan.
Tears welled in her eyes again. “I don’t know what to say or do.”
“You don’t have to say anything yet,” he murmured. “Just… think about it.”
“Do you have another plan?” Dominic asked her.
Austin held his breath as he waited for an answer, but Deena shook her head. “No…I don’t.”
The dowager tapped her cane. “Then I shall start the arrangements. No further arguments.”
Austin noticed how Deena fidgeted uncomfortably as everyone made her decisions for her.
Maybe it’s time she had her freedom.
“Deena.” She looked at him, and his breath hitched as he drank in the sight of her. Even after crying, she looked heavenly. Last night replayed in his mind, and he had to force himself to focus on the situation at hand. “I will not force you to marry me. This is your decision.”
Everyone froze and turned towards her; she took a second to compose herself. Her shoulders lifted and dropped with every deep breath she took until she finally spoke to them.
“You are all right. There is no other way. I—I will marry you, Austin.”