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Beatrice wanted to be with him, but was it not true that if you loved someone, you should set them free? She did love the Duke—she knew that now after being apart from him. But how could he be with her when it would only cause more problems?

“You should accept the proposal,” Beatrice urged. “You should forget about me. I promised I would not sneak out again, but I can’t promise that. I want to do it again, and I am sure I will become bored with my life or want to solve a problem and do it again.”

“Bored with your life?” the Duke echoed. He placed a hand on her stomach as if she might run away at any moment.

“I don’t mean it like that. My life with you has been anything but boring, but I’m not the type of woman who likes to be tied down. Don’t you know that about me by now? Miss Jennings is much better suited. She will do as you wish to protect your reputation, and she will do it a lot better than I ever could.”

“Tosh to my reputation. I have never cared about that. No, it is not going to happen. She wishes for me to make an announcement in public, but I shall not.”

“An announcement in public? No, I don’t want that. You must get rid of me quietly—that is all I ask.”

“I am not getting rid of you,” the Duke growled. “I shall keep the arrangement for you sister and mine to attend her event, but only to give me time to sort this out. I shall find a way by then.”

“There is no other way,” Beatrice insisted. “Don’t you see that?”

“I would take any other way over that,” the Duke replied. “I don’t wish to be wed to that woman.”

“Then get rid of me and find someone else to wed.”

“I thought Miss Jennings was speaking madness, but it must be contagious. I don’t want to wed anyone else. I wish to be wed toyou.”

“Do you?” Beatrice challenged.

“Yes,” the Duke claimed. He ran his hand up her side. “I would not be here if I did not want to be married to you.”

It was still not enough for Beatrice.

“Why?” she asked. “Why do you want to be married to me? For convenience? Because I am helping your sister? Because your family likes me? What is it?”

“No, it is not that,” the Duke replied.

“Then what is it?” Beatrice pressed.

He looked down at her, wrapped up in his emotional shield. She wanted to hear him say it, but the fear in his eyes had returned. He saw love as a weakness, and that meant he would never love her.

Just tell me you love me, and I can declare my love to you, and we can be happy!

“Just let me deal with her,” the Duke said instead.

“Oh, forget it,” Beatrice snapped. She jumped out of bed and grabbed her clothes.

“Where are you going?” the Duke asked.

“I need to be alone,” Beatrice huffed, before storming out of the room.

ChapterThirty-Three

A Weight Removed

Edwin lay awake all night, his mind consumed by the image of Beatrice storming out of his room. He knew better than to follow her, recognizing the fire in her eyes. He understood that any attempt to speak to her now would be futile, and so he waited, his heart heavy with the weight of their unresolved issues.

With Beatrice back home, he felt a temporary relief. He knew, however, that these other issues would need to be addressed sooner or later.

He almost laughed when he thought about it. He thought of his troubles briefly, as if they were minor nuisances when they threatened to ruin his life. Still, with Beatrice by his side, he could face any challenge, much as Agnes had suggested about the two of them.

Edwin went down to the breakfast room, hoping to find Beatrice, but he found Modesty instead.

“Good morning, Mother,” he said. “Have you seen Beatrice?”