Chapter 3 #2
The man reached for her, gently lifting her leg upwards as he leaned forward to study it. The moment his skin came in contact with hers, she could not help but jump slightly, startled by the spark of warmth that came from his touch.
The warmth persisted as he poked the area around the cut, dabbing the blood with his ascot.
Jane could not understand how such a cold man could possess such a warm touch, her confusion elevating when he ripped the sleeve of his shirt without a second thought, using the strips of fabric to dress her wound.
His gaze was focused as he worked, and his hands were steady, gently wrapping and tugging at the fabric until the injury was securely concealed. He had moved closer to dress the injury, and now that he was even closer, Jane could see that his face was littered with scars.
Many of them, some thin, some jagged, running over the swell of his cheeks, the curve of his jaw, and even on his forehead. She could not help but wonder who this man was and what sort of life he had lived to have gotten hurt to this extent.
She also wondered how he had survived whatever dangerous situation gave him his scars, and with every moment they spent together, her intrigue was growing.
His eyes rose to meet hers, and she felt caught, unable to look away from him as he watched her, momentarily stilling his hands. After a moment that felt as long as an eternity, he dropped his gaze down to the work he was doing, and Jane felt as though she could breathe once more.
As his fingers traced along the makeshift bandages, she could not help but wonder how it would feel… if he touched her more.
The absurdity of the thought shocked her to her senses, and she quickly rose to her feet, ready to flee as she expressed her gratitude, already turning away.
“Thank you for your help, truly. But I am afraid that I must be on my way now. My friend will be worried if I do not –”
“Is the idea of marrying me such an unbearable thing?”
His words stopped her abruptly in her tracks.
Slowly, she turned around to face him, watching as he rose to his feet, holding a stem of daffodil.
Instinctively, she reached for her braid, running her fingers as she realized that the flower in her hair must have dropped when she fell without her noticing.
Her mother’s words echoed in her head as she watched him twirl the flower between his fingers.
It was your husband-to-be who sent these lovely flowers. It would be good to show your appreciation by wearing it.
Jane felt as though she had been doused with a bucketful of ice water, shocked as she realized exactly who was before her. Misery flooded her veins, and she shook her head, wondering to herself, ‘How could fate be so cruel?’
“Y-Your Grace, I –”
“I understand that you may have your reasons for fleeing from our wedding, but I would like you to reconsider. As it stands, I am in dire need of a wife, and my desperation will not allow me to give up on the suitable match I’ve found.
Especially not when a contract has been signed.
Therefore, I am going to do whatever it takes to convince you.
” He told her, his tone still as cold as it had been when he spoke to her about her injuries.
Jane instinctively took a step back as he approached her, stammering quickly,
“That contract was signed without my knowledge and I was only informed about the wedding afterwards. My feelings were completely neglected during the entire process and – I do not wish to be married. I just… I want to be left alone.”
He watched her for a moment, then he said,
“Three months. All I need is three months of your time after we are wed.”
Jane frowned, hesitating a tad. She did not wish to speak to him at all, but his sudden request made her curious.
“Why should it only be for three months? What will happen in that time?” she questioned uncertainly.
“Nothing. We will not consummate the marriage or do anything else beyond sustaining our marriage on paper. We can remain strangers during that time if you wish.”
“Then... why? Why do you wish to marry me at all if after three months, the marriage will end? What will be the point of all of that? What do you want?” Jane snapped, feeling irritated.
The more he spoke, the less she understood. What did he really want from her?
The man sighed deeply, then he said, “All that I need is… your help with my son. Just for three months and you will be free to do as you please.”
Jane’s mind reeled with the information she had just received.
Son? The duke had a son?
“A-A son? I did not know you had a son,” she whispered, confused and surprised.
The duke exhaled deeply, then he told her with a heavy tone,
“I do have one. A little boy who is… troubled and in need of your help.”
“My help? How am I supposed to help a child I have never met?” Jane questioned, exasperated.
“It is rather complicated, but I hope that perhaps the presence of a motherly figure in his life might help him work through his problems. Just for three months. Help my son for three months and your life is yours to live however you desire. You have my word.” He urged, taking another step towards her.
Jane also stepped back, and he noticed this time, likely surmising that she might be afraid of him, and he stepped back.
His actions were strange, as they did not match the beast she had heard about, and she could not help but wonder who this man truly was.
It was odd, how fascinated she was, even whilst frightened, how her gaze kept running over his taller frame, searching for something to explain why this was happening.
“Why should I trust you?” she queried reluctantly.
“This seems too convenient – too good to be true. I do not know what your child needs but it is rather odd that you would have to marry to meet those needs. Even more so that you wish for it to be a short marriage. What if I am unable to help in the time I am meant to? What happens then?”
“We will go our separate ways, regardless of the outcome. I understand your hesitation but I am a man of my word. In addition, you may ask whatever you want of me afterwards, along with the dissolution of our marriage afterwards and I will give it to you.” He stated grimly.
Jane would rather not get married at all, but if he were really telling the truth… There was a child somewhere who needed help. Badly enough for his father to desire a marriage born of convenience.
“I do not wish to get married at all,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
He heard her anyway, nodding curtly. “I gathered that. I promise, this will not feel like a marriage at all. You will have your freedom – within reason, because I am sure you do not wish to have the ton gossiping about you in any case. But whatever you wish for, whatever you need will be yours. All that I really want is for my son to receive what he needs. Please.”
The pain in her leg had faded somewhat, and Jane couldn’t help but feel as though her mental faculties had been weakened. Because she had begun to consider it a little bit more than she wanted to.
If he meant everything he had said... If truly she was not at risk of losing anything, and after three months, it would be over...
She glanced up at him again, only to find him already looking at her, his dark eyes glimmering as they stared into hers, and for some reason, she found those dark pools trustworthy.
“Three months?” Jane asked once more, just to be sure.
“Only three months. And then we will have the marriage dissolved,” he nodded immediately.
Moments later, Jane found herself nodding along helplessly.
“All right. I will marry you.”