Chapter 17

Anthony did not want to leave. He could have sat with Chloe all day long. But he had business to attend to, and it was likely that she had things to do as well. He could not stop the smile from spreading across his face. But as he made his way to the front door, he caught a glimpse of the butler leading an imposing figure down the corridor. None other than the Duke of Fladbury himself.

The realization that Lord Frampton had come to call on either Chloe or Lord Swift, no doubt to discuss the prospect of asking for Chloe's hand, filled Anthony with a sense of dread. He knew that in Lord Swift's eyes, he would never be seen as good enough for Chloe; his status as a baron paled in comparison to the duke's wealth and influence. Anthony's heart sank as he saw the duke, tall and impeccably dressed, walking with the confident air of someone who always got what he wanted. It was a stark reminder of the social chasm between them and the formidable opponent he faced in his quest to win Chloe's heart.

Despite the mounting pressure, Anthony squared his shoulders, determined not to let his resolve falter. He turned to the butler, who had paused to acknowledge him.

"Thank you for your hospitality," Anthony said, keeping his voice steady. "Please extend my regards to Lord Swift."

The butler nodded, his expression neutral. "Of course, my lord. Safe travels."

"Good afternoon, Your Grace."

Lord Frampton merely nodded back. He did not bother to say a word. There was a reason that he had such an unpleasant reputation, and Anthony could see it shining through right now. He watched the duke wander through the halls of the house, knowing that he would never know this building as well as he did, but that might not matter. That man still might end up as Chloe's husband. Especially as their fake courtship had not even taken off as yet. They had not been given enough time. The duke was moving far too quickly.

Unfortunately, there was nothing that he could do about it right now, even if he really wanted to. As Anthony stepped outside, he took a deep breath, the cool air doing little to calm his racing thoughts. The encounter with the duke had only strengthened his resolve. He had to find a way to make Lord Swift see reason, to prove that his love for Chloe was genuine and that he could provide her with a life of happiness, if not luxury.

Anthony walked down the steps of the manor, his thoughts a whirlwind of emotions. The encounter with the duke had shaken him, but it also ignited a burning determination within him. He could not let someone like Lord Frampton, with his air of entitlement and wealth, come between him and the woman he loved. The woman that he had always loved. As he mounted his horse, Anthony replayed the morning's events in his mind. The joy on Chloe's face, the way her eyes lit up when he presented her with the flowers, and the promise of the picnic tomorrow… it all filled him with hope.

He could not let that hope slip away. He just had to hope that this time he did not move too slowly again. Riding away from the manor, Anthony's thoughts turned to strategy. How could he win over Lord Swift? How could he prove that his love for Chloe was not only genuine but also the best choice for her happiness? How could he make this work for everyone?

The answers did not come easily, but Anthony knew he had to act swiftly. As he rode, Anthony's mind was a tumultuous mix of fear and determination. He could not shake the vision of Chloe standing at the altar, her radiant face tinged with a forced smile, while Lord Frampton stood beside her, claiming her hand with the same cold arrogance he had displayed earlier. The same arrogance that he always displayed. That man could not love Chloe, could he? Not in the same way that Anthony did, no way. Anthony's love for her was pure and deep. It was everything .

The picturesque landscape passed by in a blur, and Anthony barely noticed the vibrant colors of summer flowers or the gentle rustling of the leaves in the breeze as he continued home. His mind was consumed with finding a way to prevent the nightmare he envisioned from becoming a reality. He knew that he could not compete with Lord Frampton's wealth and title, but there had to be something, some way to show Lord Swift that his love for Chloe was pure and unyielding.

He thought back to all the moments he had shared with Chloe, the little glimpses of joy that had passed between them. The way she had looked at him when he brought her the flowers, the soft brush of her hand against his as they strolled through the gardens. These memories were his ammunition, the proof that his feelings were real and reciprocated.

But would it be enough to sway Lord Swift?

That man had done nothing to make Anthony think that he would ever come around. Lord Swift had all but forced him to leave London a few years back, then he made it very clear that he was not even welcome at his home. Was that something Anthony could ever overcome?

As Anthony rode, the rhythmic clatter of hooves against the dirt road did little to soothe his turbulent thoughts. He was a man of action, and the helplessness he felt gnawed at him. Lord Swift's disapproval had been a barrier before, one that Anthony had begrudgingly accepted, but now, with Lord Frampton's sudden and aggressive pursuit, the stakes were infinitely higher.

The thought of losing Chloe to the duke was unbearable. So unbearable that he could not stand it.

So unbearable that he would do anything .

***

Julian entered Lord Swift's study, the heavy oak door closing softly behind him. The room was a testament to wealth and power, with its rich mahogany shelves lined with leather bound books and an ornate Persian rug that muffled his footsteps. Julian would have been impressed, if he had not seen more wealth than this many a time. Lord Swift sat behind a grand desk, the light from the window casting shadows across his stern features as he took in Julian's presence.

"Your Grace," Lord Swift greeted, his tone formal but not unwelcoming.

Julian could tell that Chloe's father was taking this meeting very seriously, which he truly did enjoy.

"Lord Swift," Julian replied with a respectful nod.

"Please, take a seat and let us talk."

He settled into a plush armchair; his posture relaxed yet exuding confidence. He knew he was in his element here, negotiating power and influence. Lord Swift already liked him. Now was simply the time to seal the deal.

Julian began to speak, his tone measured and deliberate. "I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me, Lord Swift. I wanted to discuss a matter that I believe could be of great mutual benefit to both our families, as I stated at the ball last night."

Lord Swift's interest was piqued, and he leaned forward slightly. "Go on."

"Your daughter is a remarkable young woman. Intelligent, graceful, and poised. It is clear she would make an excellent partner. I propose a marriage between myself and Lady Chloe. Such an alliance would not only unite two prominent families but also merge our business interests, creating an unparalleled force in both social and economic spheres."

Julian paused, allowing his words to sink in. He could see the calculated consideration in Lord Swift's eyes, the allure of power and wealth clearly evident.

"With my resources and your business acumen, we could expand our influence significantly. Investments, estates, political connections… the possibilities are vast," he continued. "Together, we could shape the future in ways few could even dream of."

Lord Swift leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled as he considered Julian's proposal. Julian could see the wheels turning in the older gentleman's mind, the temptation of the offer clearly evident.

However, Julian knew better than to rush things. He understood that a gentleman like Lord Swift needed time to consider such a significant decision, to weigh the advantages and potential risks.

With a casual air, Julian stated, "I will be taking Lady Chloe to the opera this evening, a gesture of my growing interest in her. An invitation that I extended a while back."

Lord Swift nodded, a flicker of approval in his eyes as he took in Julian's words. "Your proposition is intriguing, Your Grace," Lord Swift finally said, his voice thoughtful. "And one that I can not find any fault with. Although my daughter, of course, is utterly insistent that she needs to have happiness in her life…"

"Of course," Julian agreed smoothly as he felt the test coming his way. "I assure you, Lord Swift, Chloe's well being and happiness are my top priorities. I will ensure she is treated with the utmost respect and care."

Lord Swift nodded, his expression one of careful consideration. "I will give this matter the thought it deserves. In the meantime, I appreciate your gesture of taking Chloe to the opera. It will give you both an opportunity to become better acquainted."

He had done it. Julian knew that he had done it. Lord Swift was simply testing him further, trying to see how far he could push him. He was playing the game as well, which Julian could appreciate.

"Thank you, Lord Swift," Julian said, standing and offering a slight bow. "I look forward to this evening."

As Julian left the study, he felt a surge of triumph. He was one step closer to securing Chloe as his bride and furthering his ambitions. As he stepped out into the sunlit street, Julian allowed himself a small smile. He had no intention of letting anything stand in the way of his desire for Chloe, and he was confident that, in time, she would come to see the inevitability of their union. As he made his way to his waiting carriage, Julian's thoughts were already focused on the evening ahead.

The opera would be the perfect setting to further endear himself to Chloe, to show her the life of sophistication and power that he could offer. He was determined to win her over, to make her see that their marriage was not only advantageous but also destined. He only had a few more steps to go. However, as he settled into the plush interior of his carriage, Julian's confident demeanor faltered for a moment.

He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a letter, the edges frayed from handling. It was a reminder of a more precarious reality that he carefully kept hidden. The letter was from his banker, a stern reminder of debts owed and fortunes dwindling. The duke's vast wealth was not as secure as it appeared, and his investments had taken a turn for the worse in recent months. All his talk might not have been the whole truth, but it would be true. Julian would have everything soon enough. As long as all of this worked out for him…

Julian's smile faded slightly as he tucked the letter back into his pocket. Securing a marriage with Chloe was not just about power and influence; it was also about securing his own financial future. The pressure to succeed, to maintain the facade of unassailable wealth, was immense. He knew he had to keep up appearances, to play the part of the unflappable duke, but the cracks were beginning to show.

As the carriage rolled towards his estate, Julian steeled himself. He had to win Chloe over tonight, to ensure that his plans stayed on course. Failure was not an option, and he would do whatever it took to secure his future.