Page 13 of Unraveled by the Duke (Scandalous Duchesses #1)
She was pretty. Once, Alexander had considered her beautiful—physically, at least. Now, she was merely a candle next to the sun that was Celia.
For the hundredth time, he put Celia out of his mind. Or tried to.
Love is nothing but weakness. It did not serve my father, and I cannot see it serving any purpose other than to slow, drag, and leave one open to gossip and scandal. Love can hang!
“I find you on the floor, kissing another woman, and… Oh my, I apologize. I told myself I would not get upset.” Lavinia fanned her face with her hand, tears welling up in her eyes.
Alexander glanced away, refusing to play her game. Then, with a growl in his throat, he pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and offered it to her without looking. That was the gentlemanly thing to do.
As she took it, her fingers brushed his. He snatched his hand away and walked to the other side of the room, taking an interest in a book.
Surely she does not mean to attempt seduction. There is nothing between us now. There can be nothing.
“Again, I apologize for my actions.”
Alexander could say nothing else. He could not help that wine had been spilled on him or that Celia had chosen to attack him, leading to them both being in a heap on the floor.
But he should have ignored his baser urges at that point.
Extricated himself from Celia’s hold and her family’s plans at the same time.
“You do not need to, though it is most gratifying to hear,” Lavinia sniffed.
“I believe you have been manipulated by a very clever young woman. I wanted to speak to you to warn you. I have enough feelings for you as my former intended that I could not simply wash my hands of what we had. Could not walk away and feel nothing.”
There was a plea on her face and in her voice.
Lavinia could be irritating, that was true, but was she a wicked person? No. Was she a manipulative person?
No, not in his experience. But then he could not believe the same of Celia.
“I thank you for your concern, but I had no choice. It is done. Celia and I are married,” Alexander said.
“And yet here you are, on your wedding day. Not with your wife, who is not in your family home. Not in the bosom of your family. I see that the marriage is one you have been forced into, and therefore, not one you wish to remain in. I see that you do not love her. I know you never loved me, but I think there was enough regard between us that… maybe… with time…?”
She followed him across the room and reached for his hand, but he put both hands behind his back. He regarded her coldly, waiting for her to drop her hand.
“That is a matter of pure speculation. I am married. What makes you suspect Celia?” he asked.
“I will not speak ill of the woman you have chosen to marry. Not yet. Suffice it to say, I have concerns about her character. Her morality and her motives. I cannot believe it of anyone, but I think she has orchestrated this marriage to enrich herself and her family. I say this knowing I am exposing my heart to you, leaving myself vulnerable to your anger and hers.”
Suddenly, Lavinia dropped to her knees before him and wrapped her hands around his calves. She licked her lips anxiously, looking up at him from a position of vulnerability.
“I ask that you do not share this with her. I know things about her. Or at least suspect them. I have a favor to ask. It is one I should not, but I believe I have the right. As recompense.”
“Get up, for God’s sake!” Alexander snarled, unable to stand the performance she was putting on.
It left his heart cold and certainly did not stir his loins.
If that was her objective, she has failed. And damn her for thinking I could be swayed so easily.
“Name what you want. Name it and have done.”
“Do not consummate your marriage. Not today, and not until I can prove my suspicions. I will not share them until I am sure, and I will not subject Celia to the whims of gossip. I know how that feels, and I would not wish it upon another.”
Alexander felt a surge of anger. He could not bring himself to fully trust Celia, not yet. But equally, he could not see her as an arch manipulator or an adversary. When her beautiful face flashed through his mind—which it did frequently—he felt warmth and desire.
Those were feelings of betrayal, feelings that undermined his strength as certainly as the roots of a tree would eventually weaken the foundation of a wall.
She need not know that I have no intention of consummating the marriage. How could I, when it has been forced on Celia and me by circumstance?
That thought made his stomach clench with dread. For with the determination that the marriage would not be consummated came the conclusion that one day, when the scandal had died down, the marriage would be quietly annulled.
The notion of walking away from Celia, never seeing her again, never being able to touch her… it was unpleasant, to say the least.
“For what we once were, I have given you this audience. It will not happen again. You will keep my wife’s name off your lips and your suspicions to yourself,” he hissed.
Lavinia blinked, as though she had not expected her ploy to fail. She stepped closer, as though she would try for a kiss.
Alexander put up a hand. “Do not try my patience or test my honor. You will find the latter more than a match for your obvious attempts at seduction. Your view of me—or perhaps men, in general—must be low, indeed.”
She stepped back and turned away, but not before Alexander saw the flare of her nostrils and the dangerous light in her eyes.
“I do not allow myself to be spoken to thus, as a rule. I am bending that rule because it is you and?—”
“Do not. Treat me as rigidly as you would anyone else. I will do the same. Is our business concluded?”
Now, there was open anger on her face. The fury of a scorned woman. Alexander faced her down, unable to imagine the same disfigurement on Celia’s face.
“You will live to regret this day, Your Grace.”
Lavinia curtsied deeply and left the room.