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In all the excitement and shock of these last few minutes, she had not had time to consider the dire implications of what had she had done. Too busy fearing the Duke, too busy worrying about what he might do in the moment, she was yet to understand the consequences of her most wicked tongue.

Isabella had no desire whatsoever to marry. None. Her aspirations were aimed much higher than that, beyond what most ladies of her station might ever dream. But marriage? A family? If you had asked her yesterday about such things, she might have said that she would rather die.

Is that still an option?

“Oh, do not look so aghast,” the Duke scoffed. “As if this is not your fault.”

“There must be a way out,” she spoke quickly, mind now racing.

“Forget it,” the Duke said.

“But I do not understand why you are so insistent” she continued as if he had not spoken. “Yes, I understand your reputation and the worries you have there. But surely –"

“I said forget it!” he snapped. Again, he came for her, this time stopping a mere foot away. “We spoke of consequences earlier, and I warned you --” He clenched his jaw and took a breath asif trying to keep his cool. “I warned you of what would happen if they were not heeded.”

“But marriage!”

“It is done,” he said. “As much as it pains me. And believe me, Lady Gouldsmith, pains me it does. But I will not have my name ruined because of you.”

She shook her head. “No... I... it cannot – I will not do it.”

“Excuse me?” There was a bite to his voice.

Isabella forced herself to look up at the Duke. Into his dark eyes, past the terror, past the fear, to the man who she hoped possessed something that came close to soul. “I said that I will not do it. And... and...” She steeled herself in the face of his mounting rage. “You cannot make me.”

She braced for the torrent of anger.

She readied for the shouting.

She prepared herself for him to throw the full force of his weight behind his authority and power and command and to bully her into submission.

Shockingly, he did no such thing.

“You are saying no to me?” He sounded confused.

“Th -- that’s right.”

He sighed and shook his head. A slight smile worked its way up the side of his mouth. She thought he was going to laugh. And Isabella, well she very nearly relaxed.

But then his hand struck out.

She gasped and shut her eyes, not knowing what to expect. But his touch was gentle. Soft. Cupping his hand on her cheek and just under her chin, he held it there as if he was cradling her face... as if he meant to kiss her but wanted to feel the softness of her skin before daring to make such a move with his lips.

Isabella’s eyes were still closed as she reckoned with his touch.

It was warmer than she had expected, his large hand taking up nearly half the side of her face. And though she hated to admit it, the feel of his skin on her own had her body trembling in a way she might never have guessed possible. This man who terrified her... suddenly, she felt safe, even protected in ways that were an athame to who he was and how she knew she should feel about him.

“I understand that you are upset.” He spoke calmly, his voice low. “And I do not blame you. But there is nothing that you can do now. I have made the decision this marriage is happening,and it is best that you accept it now. It will make things a lot easier.”

Eyes still closed, Isabella forced them open and glared at the Duke. She mustered all the courage that she had as she looked at him directly.

“I will not marry you,” she said with a snarl. “And there is nothing you can do about it.”

And that was all it took.

His eyes flashed anger and the calm facade was gone. Hand still cupping her face, the grip tightened slightly as if he meant to crush her head. She tried to pull away, but he stepped in closer, leering over her once more.

Her body began to shake. Fear, she assumed it to be. Trepidation because she had no idea what this man was capable of. But she did not look away, her heart beating fast, her body running hot, her legs and her entire body shaking in ways that they never had before.