Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

The Engagement Party

"Y our Grace, I hope the terms are to your liking," Ernest said. "I can offer more of our staff if necessary. And I am sure I can liquidate more assets if you do not believe the dowry is fair."

Solomon studied the numbers on the ledger Ernest had given him. Most of the assets were liquid, and some could be liquidated at a moment's notice.

"I shall not take any of your staff," the Duke said.

"Then you do me a disservice by rejecting my offer," Ernest said.

"No, I do not. I have more staff than I need. I would rid my estate of some of them if they did not rely on me. That will no longer be a concern. You have another daughter to attend to and another wedding to provide a dowry for. I have heard talk of your youngest daughter's suitor. If you offer me this dowry, what do you have left for him? You have substantial wealth, but you are giving up some land and livestock. Not that I intend to refuse it."

Goodness knows we need it all!

Ernest straightened his tie and sat down at the table with the Duke. He took up the glass of whisky that had been provided and drank from it.

"Your Grace, may I speak freely and frankly?" Ernest asked.

"I would not have you speak to me in any other way."

"We both understand what this marriage is really about. Most people around us might be blind to the act you are putting on, but this is a marriage of convenience and nothing more. You look at the dowry I am providing, and you think I overpay, and you might be right if it were not for the circumstances."

"You had my attention with the dowry, but now, you have my gained interest, Lord Prevost," Solomon said.

"I know you are in a hole financially, but from the little I know of you, Your Grace, you are pulling yourself and your family out of that hole. I see this dowry as an investment. I am not giving you what is fair, but what you need. In return, I gain your ear and your favor. You possess something I have never had and never will: true power and influence."

Solomon smiled and took some of his own whisky.

"I am an astute businessman, Your Grace. I have scrimped and saved and negotiated deals my entire life. I have made money with the odds stacked against me. Think how much money I will make with the odds on my side for a change. That is my investment. What I will receive in return for the dowry will pay for it five times over if I put the work in. I still have some money left over, and Frederick will receive what he needs."

"Ha!" the Duke laughed, taking another long drink. "You are an astute businessman, Lord Prevost. I wish I had known you sooner. We might have done brilliant things together."

"I have done brilliant things all my life, and I don't expect to stop now, Your Grace."

"I like you more and more, Lord Prevost," the Duke said. "Yet, one thing bothers me. If you believe I am putting on an act, why are you so eager for the marriage to happen? I understand why you are doing it, but is it worth giving up your daughter in exchange for future wealth?"

"Do you know the best way to conduct a business deal?" Ernest asked. "It is to truly know the person you are dealing with. I know my daughter, of course, and I might only have spent a week with you, but I know your character, Your Grace. Yes, you are putting on an act, as is my daughter, but you have to be at ease with each other do so so easily. You need to understand each other to conspire with each other. My wife and I did not love each other before we wed, but we share a love now. I have no concerns about my daughter. I believe something will grow between the two of you."

Solomon shook his head. "When I sat down with you this evening, I did not know I would be having this conversation. It is most illuminating."

"Then we shall sign the contract?" Ernest asked.

"I am happy to," the Duke said.

He did not believe love would grow between him and Leah, but he was glad her father thought so. Solomon dipped the quill in the ink and signed the document before Ernest did the same. Ernest shook the Duke's hand before he went back to join the engagement party.

Solomon drained the last of his whisky.

We might not have love between us, but we have some passion. Why would I need anything else?

Solomon got up from the table in the drawing room and went to join the festivities in the parlor.

They had kept the engagement party small. Only the two families and a few musicians. Music was playing when Solomon entered the room, and he looked over to see Leah looking back at him.

He smiled at her and walked over, thinking about what her father had spoken about. He knew they had to keep up the act, and he didn't know whether he should be irritated by Ernest knowing it was an act or impressed.

"Miss Moore, would you have this dance with me?" Solomon asked.

"The song is already half over," Leah commented.

"Is that a refusal?" the Duke asked.

"No, I didn't mean?—"

"I am only teasing," the Duke told her. "The song is half over, but that means there is still half to dance to. You mentioned that you preferred faster songs, and this is one of the faster ones that will be played tonight."

"You remembered," Leah said. She took the Duke's hand when he offered it. "Yes, I will dance with you."

"The wedding contract is signed," Solomon said as he took Leah to the center of the room. He didn't mention to her that her father knew they were putting on an at.

"Did everything go well?" Leah asked.

Solomon took her hand and placed his free hand on Leah's waist. She responded by putting her hand on his shoulder but couldn't quite look him in the eye.

"Everything went well," he said, moving in time with the music, taking their steps in sets of four as they waltzed around the room.

"So, it is done. We are to be married," Leah commented.

"We are," the Duke confirmed. "I know you are nervous about it."

"I'm not nervous about it," Leah said defiantly.

Solomon chuckled. "When you are happy, your dimples show in your smile, and when you are trying to be brave, your brow furrows and your eyes narrow into almond shapes."

"I am not trying to be brave," Leah said as her eyes narrowed some more.

"There is something bewitching about how you commit fully to your expressions."

Leah looked up, holding his gaze as they danced. Her eyes widened again, and she tightened her lips as she tried not to smile. The dimples presented themselves.

"Ah, those dimples," the Duke said. "They will be the end of me."

"Will you stop saying things like that!" Leah demanded. The music was loud enough to drown out their talk.

"Why?" the Duke responded.

"Because… Well, I don't know why. You don't need to try when we are alone."

"No, I suppose you are right, " the Duke said.

What if I want to try?

He didn't need those sorts of thoughts to confuse him. There was still a lot of work to be done to get their finances back in order. Leah was right. He only had to pretend when their families were watching. Once they were married, the dowry would be his.

"How about we don't talk and only enjoy each other's company as we dance?" the Duke suggested.

Leah didn't say anything, but her silence showed her agreement. Solomon felt her tighten her grip a little on his shoulder. He did the same to her waist and noticed she didn't look him in the eyes again.

Their hands became the dance within the dance, and Solomon spent the remainder of the time—which was very long before the song ended—moving his hand ever so slightly on her waist to see what response he could elicit.

He found that if he moved his hand up a little, the look in Leah's eyes changed, and even though she still would not look at him, he could see the desire building and the worry of how they might look to their families.

Solomon spun her quickly and moved his hand up her side and back down again. When they faced each other at the crescendo of the song, Leah's nostrils flared a little as she breathed heavily.

The music ended, and they came to a stop. Leah looked a little lost, as if she could not hear the music had stopped.

"Should we dance another?" Solomon whispered.

"I will follow your lead," Leah managed. "I enjoy dancing with you."

"Then let us dance again," the Duke replied.

"Then later, I shall visit you again in your study in payment or all of this."

The way she said it made it sound like it wasn't repayment for the act they put on for their families.

"No," Solomon said as the introduction to the next song began.

"No?" Leah asked.

"Not my study," he replied. "Once the party has concluded, I hope you can meet me in the library."

"I will," Leah said.

The song began, and Solomon led them once more.

* * *

Leah was so impressed with the library that she didn't notice the Duke by the window at first. When she did, she went back to the door and closed it so they could be alone.

Who have I become?

She didn't know who she had become, only that having the Duke's hand on her body as they had danced in the parlor had done something to her. His touch made her more daring, and while she knew it was not ladylike to be imagining what they might do when alone, they would soon be married and have free reign to do the very same things.

"Thank you for coming," the Duke said.

"I made a promise," Leah said.

Why am I so keen to do this? Why do I need this?

Leah was at least glad to be in the library instead of his study, though it was earlier in the night, and they were more likely to be disturbed.

She had been in his study not long ago, and he had not kissed her or tried to touch her.

Is that why I am feeling this way? Do I feel rejected by him?

Leah tried to figure it out as the Duke walked toward her.

That must be it. It is most unbecoming of me to be alone in here with him and to be thinking such thoughts. It is only because he didn't kiss me.

Still, it didn't explain everything. Why did it matter that he had not kissed her? She was not interested in a purely physical relationship with any man, and if she was rejected, why should she care? Especially when that was all they had together. They did a good job of pretending in front of everyone else, but it was all an act. Why should she want a purely physical relationship with a known rake?

Yet, as he closed in on her, she could only think about kissing him. She could only imagine being in his strong arms.

"I want you to have these," the Duke said.

Leah had not noticed the books in the Duke's hand until he handed them to her.

"Oh," she said as she accepted them. "What is this?"

"I thought you might like to have them. I have been told they are rare, and I don't believe they are ever read. You should take them with you when you leave, and you can bring them back when you come to live here after the wedding."

Leah looked at the books properly. "Romantic poetry."

She could see how women would fall into bed with him. He was very charming when he wanted to be, and he had a knack for remembering small details. He had fed her her favorite cake in his study, danced to faster songs, and now, gifted her books containing her favorite poetry.

Should I have been paying more attention when he was talking?

All she could think about was his comment from within his study. He had told her he didn't have time for any fun since his father had passed, but what he really meant was that he hadn't slept with any women in a while. It should have made her so happy, but it did.

What about after we are married and he has his finances in order? Will he go back to being a rake?

Leah became angry at him again, even though she had no right. The reality of being married to him had not fully sunk in.

"I assume you like the books if you have been rendered speechless?" the Duke asked.

"Oh, yes," Leah said, recovering herself. "Yes, the books are very thoughtful, your Grace."

"I have been thinking about that," the Duke said. "Perhaps you can call me Solomon from now on. It will be more personable and show we are growing to know each other."

"Of course," Leah said.

Why can't this be real instead of pretend?

It finally hit why she was so irritated. The Duke was taking her future from her. She had not had so much clarity until they had started to pretend. She wanted a deeper connection with a man and to spend the rest of her life with him, and he had robbed her of that. She would spend her life with the Duke and start a family, but their connection would only be physical. It would be like spending an eternity in the desert with only a morsel of dessert each day. Leah wanted the full banquet.

And that was the thing that sunk in: it was too late.

"Yes, that is very thoughtful." Leah turned away as the tears came.

"Have I upset you?" The Duke was by her side, and he took the books from her, placing them on the table.

"No, no, I'm fine," she replied.

"What can I do to help?"

Stop being thoughtful! Stop being what you will not be to me!

"I was overwhelmed by the books; that is all. I only need a minute to compose myself. It is foolish, really."

His hand on her back sent a thrill down her spine. She quickly wiped the tears from her eyes and turned to him.

"Kiss me!" Leah demanded.

"Kiss you?" the Duke smirked.

"Did you not hear me?" Leah challenged.

The Duke's look changed, and he regarded her a little closer.

Please just kiss me so I can feel something other than this pain in my heart.

"That is why we came here, isn't it? We fooled everyone, and now, you should have your reward. So, what are you waiting for?" Leah asked.

"I must admit that I like this side to you, Miss Moore."

"Miss Moore," Leah scoffed. "If I am to call you Solomon, you must call me Leah."

"Leah," the Duke repeated.

"Mmm," Leah said. "So, Solomon. What are you waiting for? I want to feel your lips on mine."

The Duke grabbed her by the waist and pulled her body to his. Leah gasped as she was pressed against him. She wrapped an arm around him and ran it up his muscular back. His arm snaked around to her back and drew lines up and down her curves. He took her head in his other hand and brought her lips to his.

Leah moaned. She eagerly opened her mouth to accept his tongue. She was transported from her body. She floated around herself and didn't feel the frustration and pain that would plague her. She knew she would always have this. The Duke was a man who could give her pleasure, and she was thankful for that, for he caused her so much pain.

As Leah floated on the kiss, she transported herself to the future and imagined what else they would do once they were married. It scared her and thrilled her at the same time. She thought of her sister being married, and her mother's joy, and her father's acceptance. She thought of all the things that made her happy and pushed the frustration down, down, down.

Solomon's hands roved over her body, caressing her rear and moving to her front. Leah's body was on fire, and it was more welcome than anything she would feel if he were not touching her. She did not care what he did to her as long as he made her feel pleasure.

And I have become like all his other women!

Leah pushed the Duke back. She struggled to control her breathing. She thought she had found an escape in how he made her feel, but it only reminded her that she was not special. She was another woman he had seduced. She had nothing special with him.

"I must leave," Leah said. "Thank you for the books."

Leah quickly grabbed the books from the table and practically ran from the room.

As she pushed through the doors, she felt like she was stepping into a new world. She had thought there was something beautiful about the birds in the aviary, but she wanted to run to them and set them all. She wanted to set herself free.

She could not set herself free. No one could.