Page 6

CHAPTER 6

E dwin had spent the better part of the night poring over the ledger his lawyer had sent to him. This was how he had managed to squash his competitors and stay ahead of his enemies. He never quite let his workers do the work for him; he did it all himself. A lot of noblemen were too focused on propriety to fully engross themselves in business, but he was not afraid to get his hands dirty.

His company had only recently secured the exclusive rights to distribute French luxury items across England, hence the celebratory whisky bottle in front of him.

He indulged in whisky, but only scarcely. He drank just enough to get that hit but not enough to lose his senses. After all, a man like him must stay sharp at all times.

Therefore, he was surprised when the footman knocked on the door to his study and informed him that he had a guest. A female guest.

“What could a woman want with me at this time of night?” he asked.

“She says she must have a word with you,” the butler said.

“Did she by any means mention her name?”

Edwin did not keep female friends, so no woman had a reason to visit him. Moreover, such action was frowned upon in the ton.

“Indeed, Your Grace. Her name is Miss Jennings.”

Edwin sat up in his chair immediately. “Miss Jennings? Why, usher her in immediately,” he ordered.

His mind raced as he wondered what the reason for such a visit could possibly be. He had heard about Miss Jennings and her reputation as a prim and proper lady. Such ladies did not visit an unmarried duke unchaperoned .

Merely a few seconds passed before the woman walked into his study, her eyes shuttered and cold. He could immediately tell that whatever had driven her to his house was not a small matter.

“Why, Miss Jennings. To what do I owe this unexpected visit?” he asked in a taunting tone.

“I have come to ask you not to propose to my sister,” she said simply.

Edwin frowned. “Then you must return home immediately, because I will not agree to that. Besides, I am certain your father would not be too pleased to hear that you have paid me a visit in the dead of night to threaten to ruin my reputation if I press my suit.”

A hint of fear flashed in her eyes. “You would not do something of that sort,” she huffed. “I know you would not lie so brazenly.”

Edwin shrugged. “Then I suppose my suspicions are correct, and you do not know me quite as much as I thought you did. Because if you did, you would know that I can lie so brazenly, and I would simply not rescind my offer unless you make me a better one.”

“You must tell me, Your Grace,” Ava said. She took the seat opposite him, even though he had not asked her to sit. “Why have you suddenly changed your mind and decided to marry, when you have been a bachelor for so long?”

The look in her eyes told Edwin that she might already know the answer to her question.

“I suppose it is time for me to take a wife.”

Ava laughed. “I suppose it is for business purposes. You need a wife by your side to improve your image among your business partners. Moreover, a married man is more trustworthy than a bachelor.”

Edwin could not help but be impressed by her insight. However, he did not quite show it.

“I am amused by your ability to understand everything around you,” he admitted.

She cracked a proud smile. “Marry me instead of Stella, then.”

Edwin could not believe his ears. The prim and proper Miss Jennings had not only visited him unchaperoned in the middle of the night, but now she was proposing that he marry her, rather than her sister.

How strange could the night possibly get?

“Before you reject my offer,” she added quickly, “I have chaperoned my sisters for years, and I know all the ways of the ton and how to conduct myself. Moreover, I have befriended many married ladies, and I am aware of the duties and responsibilities they have. As your wife, I would certainly be an asset to you.”

Edwin could certainly see her point.

“You make a good point, I’ll give you that. However, you have been a spinster for years. You might have managed to maintain a pristine reputation and avoid drama, but your reputation is still not as perfect as that of a fresh debutante.”

He did not miss the hurt that flitted over her face.

“Then I suppose I shall take my leave,” she declared, rising from her chair.

She had just reached for the door handle when he spoke again.

“Come and sit on my lap.”

Ava’s head whipped around fast. She could not believe her ears.

What does this monster take me for?

And yet he simply sat there, his gaze cold and unyielding. She could have sworn that she saw a flicker of emotion in his eyes when they had started talking, but it was all gone now. All that was left in its place was a blank stare that made her wonder if the man had indeed sold his soul to the devil.

“How dare you ask me to do such an outrageously scandalous thing?” she hissed.

But he did not seem fazed.

“I suppose you could entice me into marrying by using your body,” he drawled. “After all, if I were to marry you, I shall be having complete and total access to your body.”

“That is not the kind of deal I would propose,” she scoffed. “Now, I really must take my leave.”

The genuine smile that curved his lips took her aback. And what was more, that smile made him look rather handsome, even though half of his face was hidden behind a mask.

“I have not been entertained for so long,” he said as he rose from his chair and approached her.

His eyes were clouded by something—something primal, something all too familiar.

“And for that reason, I shall give you a chance,” he continued.

Ava knew she should turn around and walk out of his study. After all, he had just insulted her. And yet she could not move.

He was now standing so close to her that she could feel his breath on her cheeks. She suddenly became acutely aware of her body, of how her chest heaved when she pulled in deep breaths.

She knew she should hit him for his scandalous demand, and yet all she wanted was to close the little distance between them. And when he took her hand and led her back to his chair, she did not hesitate once.

When he finally took his seat and looked up at her expectantly, she simply sat on his lap.

She knew it was wrong. She knew it would cause the biggest scandal in the ton if word got out. And yet she could not help herself.

She wished she could say she did it simply to help her sister. However, she knew that wasn’t the truth.

Being on his lap, feeling his breath on her neck, his lips only inches away from the back of her head, sent a thrill straight to her core.

“Now, you can prove yourself to be more useful to me if you do one more thing,” he murmured.

Ava did not trust her voice not to betray her emotions, so she simply nodded.

“At the next ball, you must convince one of the mamas to come and talk to me, and just maybe I might agree to marry you instead of Stella,” he said.

“Wh…” Her voice came out hoarse and cracked, so she cleared her voice and tried again. “Why should I do that?”

“For the simple reason that I’ll choose you instead of your sister. You would not want your sister married to a monster now, would you?” He raised an eyebrow.

Ava shook her head and turned away, this time with enough resolve to leave.

She had barely lifted herself off his lap when he stopped her. He raised his hand and brushed his fingers lightly over her face, caressing her cheeks. Then, his fingers trailed lower, towards the hollow at the base of her throat.

She held her breath.

“You made the right choice by obeying me,” he murmured.

For some reason, Ava found herself pleased by his praise.

“Your obedience has made me even more curious.”

Half-heartedly, Ava pushed his hands away, before she rose from his lap and hurried out of the room.

His chuckle followed her as she left.