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“That is not the reason I have come to warn you. He is a ruthless man, and those close to him seem to share the sentiment.”

“It does not matter. I appreciate your help, but it is none of your business who I decide to associate with. Now, if you will excuse me, I must find my sister.”

With that, Ava hiked up her skirts and walked away.

Lord Wilbury’s warnings had fallen on deaf ears. Even if what he had said was true, it was far too late for her to change her mind. She must marry the Duke if it means giving her sister a chance at happiness.

The ride home was unusually quiet. Ava’s mind was racing, and she simply rejected Stella’s attempts at a conversation.

It was not until the carriage pulled to a stop in front of Notley Manor that she finally decided to share the good news with her sister.

“You no longer have to marry the Duke, Stella,” she announced.

Stella’s eyes lit up, and she threw her arms around her sister. “Oh, Ava! How could I ever thank you?” she cried.

Ava could not help but grin. For a moment, she was happy to sacrifice herself for her sister’s happiness.

Stella suddenly pulled out of the hug, her face grim.

“How did you do it, Ava?” she asked. “The Duke is known for getting his way no matter what.”

Ava shrugged. “You do not have to bother yourself, Stella. Now, you can be with your Thomas.”

Stella shook her head. “Why are you not telling me?” she pressed, suddenly frantic. “What has he done to you?”

Ava swallowed nervously and looked away, unable to hold her sister’s gaze.

She knew she must tell her sister now.

“I offered to marry him instead,” she confessed.

She watched as her little sister’s eyes widened in shock and her mouth dropped open.

“No.” Stella shook her head. “You cannot marry a beast. I simply cannot let you do such a thing.”

“It must be done. That is the only way,” Ava argued.

“There must be another way,” Stella insisted. “You cannot marry a beast when you never even wanted to marry anyway.”

Ava took her sister’s hands in her own and gave them a comforting squeeze. “You do not have to worry about me, Stella.”

“But yo?—”

“Stella, let us go inside.”

With that, she climbed out of the carriage and made for the entrance, her sister begrudgingly following her.

The two sisters had only just started climbing the stairs to their chambers when another carriage pulled up in front of the house.

A moment later, they heard the butler announce, “His Grace, the Duke of Gillingham!”

“He is here to ask for your hand,” Stella whispered.

Ava’s heart thudded loudly in her chest as dread coiled in her gut at the thought of being married to the man. “Indeed, he is.”

The Viscount rose from his chair, grinning in excitement.

“Your Grace,” he greeted, approaching him. “I have been eagerly awaiting your return. In fact, at some point, I thought all waslost. I am pleased to see that you are still interested in my daughter.”