Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

A Fractured Start

L eah's knees still felt weak as she walked with her sister to the parlor. All she could think about was the warmth of his breath on her ear, the feel of his muscular chest, and how close their lips had been. It had taken every ounce of strength for her to get out of there before she did something she would regret.

Bridget giggled. "Mother has instructed me to stay by your side for the remainder of our stay so you don't get lost again."

"I only took one wrong turn," Leah claimed. "I found you all soon enough."

"I'm only teasing," Bridget told her older sister. "She didn't really say that to me. I can see how you could get lost; this place is ginormous."

"Do you think His Grace is as rakish as they say?" Leah asked.

Bridget slowed her step a little to stay in time with Leah. "Why do you ask?"

Because I don't want to believe my future husband is a complete rake, but I can't help but think it after how he acted when we were alone.

"You won't back out of the wedding, will you?" Bridget's voice cracked as she spoke.

Leah stopped and faced her sister. Bridget's left eye twitched ever so slightly.

"No, I won't back out," Leah said. "I made a promise, and I intend to uphold that."

"No, of course," Bridget replied immediately. "I didn't mean to question your integrity. You have not even met him yet, and you have made your decision. I appreciate you, Leah."

Leah's mind went back to the embrace in the Duke's room. He had held her for what felt like an eternity, but she had let it happen. She had been sure there were voices in the hallway, but she could have broken the embrace at any time.

And he had the nerve to kiss my fingers when I was silencing him!

That was not what annoyed her so much. It was much more infuriating that she had enjoyed his gentle kisses.

"Leah?" Bridget asked.

"What? Oh, yes, let's keep going." Leah walked again, leading her sister to the parlor where their parents were engaged in conversation with the Dowager Duchess and her daughter.

As soon as they entered, the Dowager Duchess gestured for a maid to serve Leah and Bridget some refreshments without interrupting her conversation with Ernest and Augusta.

With the refreshments came the Duke's younger sister, Christianna, who left her mother's side to approach the two ladies.

"Mother told me I should greet you both," Christianna said—she had an awkwardness about her and didn't look either of the in the eye.

It sounded to Leah that the youngest of the three siblings had been forced into making a greeting. The Duke had already thrown her off, and his younger sister was equally hard to decipher. She had not yet met the Duke's brother, and she was wary to do so—she had no idea what to expect.

"It is a pleasure to see you again, Lady Christianna," Leah said, ensuring a smile that was as sweet as possible. "We must thank you for the spacious rooms and these fine refreshments."

"I didn't organize the rooms or the drinks," Christianna claimed.

"No, but you have welcomed us into your home, and that is very generous of you," Leah continued.

"Yes," Christianna replied.

Christianna had recently turned eighteen, and she was a delicate flower. There was a youthful innocence to the young woman but not the confidence that often came with someone so young and pretty. She had not smiled once since Leah and her family had arrived at the residence.

"My younger sister Bridget debuted this past year," Leah continued, hoping to find some common ground. "Will you debut this coming Season?"

"Yes," Christianna replied. For a moment, it looked as if that was all she might say, but a gleam appeared in her eye, and she turned to address Bridget directly. "Was it… did you find someone to wed?"

"Oh, I did!" Bridget gushed. "I found the most wonderful man, and we are in love with each other. Hopefully, we will wed later this year. And debuting was such fun, and you really have nothing to worry about, and you will love it, Lady Christianna. Your brother is a duke, and you are so pretty that you will certainly have your choice of a husband."

"Yes," Christianna said, pursing her lips. "Yes, I am sure."

"I apologize for my tardiness!"

Everyone in the room spun around to witness the Duke enter in all his grandeur. Leah had seen him in a partial state of undress, and it had excited her, and now that he had donned his formal wear to greet her family, she could not help but be impressed.

Solomon strode straight through the large room and greeted Ernest Moore first, shaking his hand warmly and firmly after introducing himself.

"It is a pleasure to have your family here," the Duke boomed. "And while you are here, might I have some time with you to discuss your business dealings? From what I hear, you might be the most astute businessman in all of London."

"Your Grace, you flatter me," Ernest replied.

"Lady Provost, I must compliment you on your choice of attire and your beauty that radiates through the room. I can see where your daughters get their beauty, especially Miss Leah Moore."

"Oh, my goodness, Your Grace," Augusta said, placing a hand on her breast. "I don't know what to say."

"There is nothing to say," Solomon replied. "All I ask is that you enjoy your time here while Miss Moore and I get to know each other. I simply can't wait to speak with her. Will you introduce me, Lord Provost?"

"It would be my honor," Ernest said.

Ernest led Solomon over to his two daughters—Augusta and the Dowager Duchess following close behind.

Leah's father beamed, and he looked ready to burst as he introduced his daughters to the Duke. Leah had never seen her father look more excited before, and he almost stammered as he spoke.

"Allow me to introduce my middle daughter, Leah Moore, and my youngest daughter, Bridget Moore," Ernest said.

"I am already charmed," Solomon stated. "You have two very beautiful daughters, but Miss Leah Moore is a radiant rose in your family garden." Solomon took Leah's hand and kissed the back of it gently. He did the same with Bridget, but the kiss was formal and fleeting.

Leah should have been overwhelmed by the attention. His Grace was a handsome man, and his attire was impeccable. He was polite, warm, and congenial. Yet, Leah knew it was all a lie. She had been alone with him, and he was a rakish rogue, not the charming man he pretended to be in the presence of her family.

"Leah," Augusta hissed.

Leah looked around to see her family staring at her. "My apologies, Your Grace. I am a little shy in your presence. Your compliments are very welcome, and I must add that you are extremely dapper, as I always expected you to be. I am so glad to have finally met you."

The Duke clasped his hands together. "We need more drinks, and then we shall have some food. Mother, you have outdone yourself in organizing all of this."

Leah glanced at Christianna, who was not looking back at her, but who looked miserable to be part of the proceedings.

Leah felt a tug at her arm.

"What has gotten into you?" Augusta whispered so none of the others could hear. "His Grace is the most favorable match we could have hoped for, and you are a million miles away. You are not acting yourself."

"I am not the only one," Leah replied as quietly as she could. She knew she should not be saying such things, but her frustrations were too much.

"What is that supposed to mean?" her mother asked her, dragging her farther from everyone else.

"Nothing," Leah claimed.

"It doesn't sound like nothing. His Grace is a wonderful man and of such great station."

"Is he?" Leah asked.

"What?" her mother gasped. "Do you not want to marry His Grace?"

"What!" Bridget gasped.

Leah and her mother spun around, unaware Bridget had approached.

"Do you not want to get married?" Bridget asked. The look on Bridget's face almost broke Leah—Bridget's eyebrows and sides of her mouth dropped as if carrying a weight of sadness.

"Will you please keep your voice down," Leah ordered.

"Is everything well?" The Duke asked from the other side of the room.

"There is talk of the wedding not going ahead," Christianna commented.

Leah and her mother whirled around again to find the Duke's sister perilously close to them.

"No, I never said that," Leah claimed. "Of course, I want the wedding to go ahead."

When Leah looked at the Duke, she shrunk back under his glare. She almost took a step back.

"Now might be a good time for Miss Moore and me to spend some time together. If you would not mind." Solomon looked around the room, daring anyone to challenge him.

Augusta looked at her daughter, and all previous frustration disappeared. If the Duke had asked to be alone with Leah, it could only mean one thing: a marriage proposal. Augusta looked from Leah to Ernest, and while he maintained a cool exterior, there was a twinkle in his eye that came from his excitement. He gave Augusta a quick nod.

The Dowager Duchess was the first to leave the room, walking to the Duke first and squeezing his hand before she exited. Leah's family left the room next, followed by a hesitant Christianna.

Leah would have liked to ask the Duke about his sister, but there were bigger problems to deal with.

The Duke gestured, and the remainder of the staff left the room, leaving them completely alone.

"Come here," the Duke said when everyone had left the room.

Leah did as she was told, not wanting to cause more friction. She walked over to the Duke and stood before him, his look caging her and rooting her to the spot.

"If you wanted to back out of the wedding, you should have done so before coming here. I will not have my time or anyone else's time wasted. You accepted the invitation to come here, and I expect that to be the end of the matter. We will get married," the Duke stated.

"I thought you were the most charming man in the world a moment ago." Leah put her hands on her hips. "At least you are truly yourself around me. Is everything a means to an end for you?"

Solomon did not talk for a moment, and it unnerved Leah more than if he had shouted. There was fire behind his eyes, and if she could have gone back and not said what she did, she would have. Yet, it was all laid out now. He might have stirred something in her in his bedchamber, but that was a means to an end, too. He wanted her body. Now, he did not want the embarrassment of being rejected.

"Is everything a challenge to you?" the Duke asked. "Do you need to be so infuriating all of the time?"

"You need this wedding, too," Leah stated. "This is a means to an end for you. You could have put me in my place in front of everyone, but you don't want them to see you like that, do you? You want to hide your anger."

"My anger?" the Duke asked.

"Yes, your anger," Leah said with a smirk. "And let's face it; you need this marriage as much as I do."

"Do I?" the Duke questioned.

Leah tried to control her breathing. She was fighting a losing battle, and it would be much easier to remain quiet, but the fact that what she said was true spurred her on. It made it easier to push back because the Duke would need to be pushed a lot to cancel the wedding.

I will need to be pushed a lot to cancel the wedding. I simply cannot do that to Bridget.

"We are not so different," the Duke said with a smirk of his own. "You act completely different when no one else is around."

"Yes, well, you bring that out in me," Leah claimed.

"Then it would seem that I can bring a lot out in you," the Duke told her.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Solomon smirked a little more and went to the double doors leading into the parlor. He grabbed the edge of one and closed it before closing the other.

"Marry me," the Duke ordered.

Leah swallowed the lump that rose in her throat as the words sunk in. The worry that crept into her was quickly replaced by anger—anger at how thrilling it felt to be locked away with him and asked that question. She disliked who the Duke was, but it was exciting to be asked the question by him all the same. Everyone was waiting close by to hear about the proposal.

She was angry at herself for feeling that thrill and also for not removing herself from the situation. It was fine to be alone for the proposal but she could see the look in the Duke's eyes—he already saw the deal as done and wanted more from her.

"We, uh, can't engage in anything alone in here," Leah managed when the Duke turned to face her.

"No?" Solomon asked. "Why not? This is my home, and you belong to me now. I will take care of you in every way, Miss Moore." The Duke loosened his cravat and strode toward Leah.

"Belong to you?" Leah exclaimed. "I-I don't believe…" All Leah could think about was the last time the Duke was without his cravat.

Solomon pulled his cravat from his shirt collar. "You don't believe what?"

Leah's heart quickened as he neared her. The Duke unbuttoned his waistcoat and then started on his shirt buttons.

"Are you still in disbelief?" Solomon asked. "I am sure I can aid you."

Leah took a step back as the Duke continued to approach and found the wall close behind. She pressed herself to it and stared at the Duke's chest, willing him to undo the buttons.

What am I doing? I can't back out of the wedding, but I can back out of… whatever this is.

Leah's heart beat erratically as the Duke approached her, and she smelled his strong, earthy, and spiced musk. Her pupils dilated with the smell and proximity of his body. She wanted to beg him to reveal what was beneath his shirt.

"We will be married," the Duke whispered.

Leah looked him in the eye and could only nod. She wanted what came after they were married—it consumed her and became all she could think about.

Solomon's breath was warm on her lips. She did not dare lean forward but hoped he closed the gap between them. Leah tried to remind herself that he was not the man he claimed to be and that she had every right to be annoyed or angry with him, but the thought of a kiss from the Duke muddled all thoughts.

The Duke brought up his hand and brushed her lower lip with his thumb, pressing down a little and holding still for a moment before removing his touch.

Leah let out a small gasp through her parted lips. She felt the warmth of the Duke's breath in her ear as she had not long ago.

I am alone with him again. I am not yet here a day, and I am under his command.

"I will act as I like when I like, and I will not be questioned by my wife. We will be married, and you will be mine."

"No," Leah said.

"No?" Solomon's nostrils flared.

All Leah could think about was the look on Bridget's face when she thought the wedding would not go ahead.

"I mean, I will marry you," Leah said meekly, "but I will not be yours. You have no claim over me."

"You will be my wife," the Duke said fiercely.

Leah tried to clamp her mouth shut, but everything about the terribly handsome man before her prodded her the wrong way.

"I will be your wife, and I will try to be a good wife. I truly mean that, but I won't let another person have a claim over me. I simply will not," Leah stated, trying to hold her ground.

"We shall see. You should go," the Duke whispered.

"What?"

"We should not stay in here alone for too long, should we?" the Duke continued. "Or families would start to talk, and we would not want that."

Leah shook her head gently.

"And you will want to tell them the good news. I have proposed, and you have accepted. Unless you wish to defy me again? Yes, I need this marriage, but so do you, Miss Moore. So, go and inform our families of the good news."

Leah nodded her head silently.

The Duke moved back a step, and she was finally released from his spell. Or from part of it. When she looked him in the eyes again, her knees felt weak. Her last act of defiance was to walk out of the room as if nothing was wrong.

The whole time, she questioned how such an awful man could make her feel so good.