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“Surely you jest, Your Grace, for I fail to believe that a sane man would make such a proposal to a lady whose familyheruined.”

“How do you dare to call me insane?” His words were harsh, but his eyes were far from it. They were amused. Penny went silent. “I will take your lack of response as your refusal to heed my proposition, then?”

Penny did not reply, blink, or breathe. She was too focused on the smell of him—fresh and oh-so masculine. How improper of her. But she was not to be blamed for he did cage her between his large body.

“I must say, it is too bad. For I thought your bravery was a part of you and not the cause of your nerves,” his voice was low as his words were slow.

“Accepting my proposal…” he raised his hand and settled it on her neck, his long fingers tracing a vein at the side of her neck. Slow and temptingly vile. “Will pull your family out of ruin and secure a match for your dear, dear sister…” It was as though every functioning nerve in her body was attuned to him, to his touch. A droplet of water from his hair fell to her face. It seemed to wake her.

“It is an absurd proposition, Your Grace. You do not know me, neither do I you, besides your reputation, for it precedes you.” At the mention of his reputation, or perhaps it was her notion that he wanted to court her, Rhysand’s jaw ticked.

“I assure you, Miss Hislop, that this proposal is not one in search of love or romance. It is strictly business. I am incapable of love, so I will pay no mind to you as long as you provide me with an heir. And when it is confirmed you are with child, you will have a house of your own, where you will live at your will as the duchess. You shall not lack a thing.”

Penny heard the words and registered them in her head and heart, but by God, he was too close. He had leaned toward her, and she feared their lips would touch if she all but spoke.

“Hmm?” The duke probed and sunk his head to the crook of her neck. Heat spread through her body, followed by a stillness when his lips parted and nibbled on her flesh.

“I accept!” She blurted, and with every strength her petite body could muster, she pushed him away.

“I thought you might.”

Chapter4

Before the start of the Season, Lydia had been convinced by her family’s situation that she would all but have a pleasant debut. She had watched her sister work hard to find the little they used to make breakfast, so she could not dare think of wearing a new dress, but just like that, Penny had returned home with the greatest news either of them had heard in months since her father was jailed, that they were no longer destitute.

The streets of London had been bustling with people, filling every store. The modiste shops had been the worst. All three shops were filled with pleased or gloomy Mamas and their daughters, who either got what they wanted or did not.

Penny, Lydia, and Aunt Augusta were in one of such shops.

They had arrived earlier than most, but it was not their turn to pick out dresses for the overly excited Lydia yet.

“The Lord has blessed us!” Aunt Augusta had smiled that afternoon.

“How did it happen, sister?” Lydia asked. She watched her sister bite her lower lip before smiling sweetly at her.

“I went to see Father, today, and he told me there would be someone willing to help. To make sure you have a pleasant debut,” Penelope lied.

“Is it true?” Aunt Augusta’s eyes widened. Penny nodded.

“I could hardly believe it myself.” Penny smiled and hugged Lydia tightly.

“Do we know him? What is his name?” Lydia asked.

“We shall have steak for dinner,” her sister had announced, letting her question drown away and changing the subject.

Admittedly, it did not seem likely to the younger Miss Hislop that such a savior, whose name she did not know, had stepped in to help her, to help her family. Lydia knew Penny had met people, a lot of the people their Papa worked with, and no one offered to help them, some did not want to be seen with them. But Penny had said it, so it was true. Lydia had smiled nonetheless, hugged Penny tightly, and placed a long kiss on Aunt Augusta’s cheek as they danced their poverty away.

This happened two nights ago, but it felt like ages had passed since then…

“Miss Lydia Hislop,” The fair modiste called and Lydia jumped up immediately. Aunt Augusta followed behind her, singing praises about what a beauty she was, and how she would take the whole of London by surprise, blinding them with her beauty. Despite the raging storm in Penny’s heart, she could not help but smile. How long had it been since they laughed and joked about mundane things like Lydia’s beauty?

It was all thanks and because ofhim.The Cruel Duke.

He made an offer, a wicked offer, that she would be a fool to refuse. All she had to do was marry him and give him a child… She had heard stories from Aunt Augusta, who never had a child but seemed to know everything about it; from the process of baring a child, to pushing it out. Penny knew countless women lost their lives from the one action, but she could not help but think,how hard could it really be? Surely the life the duke offers will be worth it. At least for Lydia’s sake.

Penny did not know the exact details of the process of baring a child, but Aunt Augusta had claimed the more handsome the man was, the more bearable the process.

“You might even find it quite pleasurable,” Aunt Augusta had added and Penny turned crimson at the idea.