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He raised his hand to silence her. “We both know how this looks to the ton—not that I care about any of that. I have been looking for a wife for a while, and I have explored one option, but I am not set on it. Your family has good social and political standing, it makes more sense for our two families to come to an arrangement that is beneficial for the both of us.”

“What?” Phineas blurted out. “You said nothing about—this is most?—”

“Lord Ramsbury, your daughter ran from the first man she was to wed, did she not? And when she returned, you promised her to the first gentleman who would take her.”

“I don’t know that—” Phineas started.

“You don’t know if you should accept my proposal? Do you not wish for your daughter to be married and to someone of my standing? You wish to marry her off as soon as possible to avoid any more embarrassment, right?” the Duke asked.

“Well, I mean?—”

“Then it is settled,” the Duke stated.

Beatrice had never seen her father intimidated by someone else, but he was intimidated by the Duke.

“And I don’t get a say in any of this?” she asked. “I was the one in the wrong, and I don’t need anyone to protect my reputation. Some have promised in the past, but they have not followed through.”

“Beatrice!” her father warned. “Don’t speak to His Grace like that.”

The warning told her that he had warmed up to the idea of marriage to the Duke. And why wouldn’t he want that? The Duke was a far better option than Lord Mutton, and after what had happened the previous night, her prospects were currently limited to one man.

“I only mean that His Grace should not suffer for my mistakes,” Beatrice said diplomatically.

She had heard stories about the Duke and witnessed his temper firsthand, and though she had few options, she did not want to marry him. First the Earl, then the Baron, and now the Duke. Why could she not get to know a man first?

“It was your mistake, but I was complicit. I have a reputation, but I do not wish to be spoken about as if I am a man who goes into other people’s homes to seduce innocent ladies. That is what they will think. And you can save your reputation by marrying me. There will still be some scandal, but we both come out of this looking better than we should, and we both get what we want.”

“We both get what we want?” Beatrice sulked.

“It is for the best,” Phineas agreed. “Beatrice, no other man will marry you after what happened, and His Grace has been gracious enough to find a way out of this. Youwillmarry him.”

Beatrice did not believe everything he said. The Duke could come out of this looking just fine, and he had already been promised to another. She did not care about her reputation now—she had made mistakes, and she would deal with it.

Beatrice looked at her mother, who looked back at her with hope in her eyes. It was an unforeseen turn of events that would solve all of their current problems.

I didn’t want a life of sadness, but now I will be forced into a life of misery and cruelty. Is that worth making Mother and Father happy?

“I believe I don’t have a choice,” Beatrice mumbled.

“Good,” the Duke replied. “Then it is settled. We shall marry within the month.”

ChapterSix

Reasons For Marriage

“Ishall take my leave, but I will contact you soon to make arrangements for the wedding,” the Duke said.

Beatrice was still dumbfounded by what had happened. She looked at her mother and father and found some solace there. Not fifteen minutes ago, her father had been staring at her across the table, and her mother had looked more disappointed than she had ever seen her.

Now, her mother and father looked happy—surprised but happy. Beatrice would go through with the marriage, so they would continue to be happy.

“Your Grace, might I have some of your time?” Beatrice asked. “We all know what led to your proposal, and I would like to spend some time with you before you leave. I don’t think that is too much to ask.”

“His Grace is very welcome to join us for breakfast,” Letitia said, growing more excited by the minute.

“I would like to spend some time alone with His Grace,” Beatrice stressed. “I don’t think that is too much to ask after the morning we’ve had.”

She glanced at her father, who looked ready to say something. But then he held his tongue and deferred to the Duke.