Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

Understanding The Motives Of Others

S olomon sat at his desk by the light of a short candle. It was almost becoming too dark to read and write, but he had enough light for now. He would retrieve the oil lamp from the shelf soon, but there was something about reading and replying to the business letters in the darkness that eased him. He did not want to read the demands in the light of day or be illuminated by the flickering rope wick of the lamp.

Solomon scoffed at the latest letter even though he had no reason to. Another demand by debtors was his father's doing and completely justified on their part, but they sounded like leeches wanting to suck him dry. He wanted to crumple the letter or dig the tip of his inked quill into the page, stabbing it until it bled black ink.

He took a sip of his brandy instead.

The small rapping at the door brought him a little out of his pit of anger.

"Enter," he said. He might have called out louder, but most of the house would be asleep. They would not hear him calling from the study, but the silence of the house demanded quiet in return.

"I apologize for the disturbance," Leah said as she entered.

"Oh, it is you," the Duke said, rising to his feet.

He found it strange that they were alone in a room together and he did not immediately think about the things he might do with her. His mind was still too preoccupied with his debts.

"Might I come in?" Leah asked. "I could not sleep."

She wore a long satin gown atop her nightclothes. Her hair flowed over her shoulders, and her skin took on a slight yellow hue in the flickering of the flames. It brought out the brown of her eyes.

"Yes, of course," he replied.

His duty came flooding back. He must be charming toward her so she would go ahead with the marriage. Then, he would repay almost all of the debts with the dowry, and they could finally claw their way out of the hole their father had left.

"Would you like something to drink?" Solomon asked. "I can have someone bring sherry or wine?"

"No, I don't want to trouble anyone," Leah stated. She looked around the room as she came fully into it and spotted the glass on the table. "What are you drinking, Your Grace?"

"Brandy," he replied. "Would you like some?"

"Would that be fine?"

Solomon gestured toward his glass. "Please."

Leah approached his desk, and the Duke sat back down. She picked up the glass and smelled the contents.

"I have not tried brandy before." She took a delicate sip and swallowed. "It tastes warm."

"Yes, it can," Solomon replied.

"I apologize for disturbing you at such an hour. I know you have much work to attend to, but I couldn't sleep."

Solomon quickly moved his papers to the side and placed the stopped back in the ink bottle. He thought about retrieving the oil lamp and lighting it, but he enjoyed how she looked in the illumination of the bare candle.

"It does not bother me," Solomon claimed. He did have business to attend to, but she had more important business. "Stay for as long as you like."

Leah glanced his way for a second, and her brows raised slightly before she looked down at the desk. Solomon might have put his papers away if he thought she was studying them, but she merely needed something to look at as she formulated what she had to say to him.

"I have something important I wish to talk to you about. It has to do with the wedding," Leah said.

You wish to break the engagement!

Solomon did not blame her, but he could not let her. He couldn't waste the opportunity to save his family from bankruptcy. He had meant to charm her in the woods, but he had come on too strong, and he could see that now. Still, she had wanted it. He had seen it in her eyes and felt it in her reaction. If the maid had not come, they would have done more, and she would have enjoyed it.

If that had scared her, then he would have to use a different tactic. There was not a woman he could not charm.

"I wish to state now that I will go ahead with the wedding, no matter what comes," Leah said.

Solomon tried to hide his surprise at the news he had not been expecting.

"Good," he replied.

"I know you need this union, too," Leah stated. She had a new confidence in her voice. "You have debts to repay, and my father can help with that. You have power, and he has money, and that makes for a good match."

Solomon could not help but smile more and glance at the letters on the desk.

"I never meant to look," Leah claimed. "I had heard rumors beforehand, so it is no surprise. I am not so naive that I believe a man and a woman only marry for love. We both know this is not about love."

"No," the Duke admitted. "Why the change of heart? You have not said that you will not marry me, but I have sensed your hesitation. Why do you come to me so readily now?"

Leah turned to face the books on the shelf behind her. She touched the spine of one and then turned back to face the Duke.

"Love," she stated.

"Love?" the Duke repeated. "But not yours."

"No," Leah said sadly. "My sister is in love with a wonderful man, and he is in love with her in return. It is a rare love that I have not witnessed before, and I won't stand in the way of them. My father is a traditional man, and he will not allow Bridget to wed before me. I am not getting any younger, and there is no line of suitors waiting for me. I understand how the world works, and I know we are a good match, even if we are not…"

"A good match," the Duke finished.

Leah smiled and let out a breathy laugh through her nose. The Duke followed suit, finding some humor in their shared situation.

"Yes, exactly," Leah said. "I must marry at some point, and while you can be the most annoying man in the world, there are some good things about you."

"I shall take that as a compliment," Solomon replied. "I am sure it was meant as one."

"I don't know," Leah said with a smile. "I only know it is the truth, and you talked very passionately about the truth before. We shall be married, and we will benefit each other, and Bridget will be with her true love. There is something beautiful about that."

Solomon leaned back in his chair and placed his hand behind his head, interlocking the fingers. He breathed in slowly and let out his breath through his nose.

"I am not often befuddled, but I am tonight," the Duke admitted. "I wed for money, and you wed for love, only not your love. There is something admirable about that. It is a truly selfless act." Solomon stood up and studied Leah. "Ha! That is wonderful. You are wonderful." He moved to her and took her hand.

Leah looked afraid. She leaned back slightly but did not take her hand away. "What are you doing? I didn't come here to?—"

"No, shh!" the Duke demanded. "I did not come to you to demand something from you. I wanted to… I am unsure what it is I want. I want to tell you of my admiration."

"Your admiration?" Leah asked, looking more unnerved.

"Yes." Solomon furrowed his brows as he tried to convey what he meant. He lifted his free hand slowly and pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. He brought his hand back down slowly, running the back of his hand over her soft cheek. "You are a beautiful woman, Miss Moore. You do this for your sister while I do it for money." The Duke shook his head. "I respect that."

Solomon looked deep into her eyes and saw the purity within. He wanted to kiss her but held back. Something stayed his lips. He wanted to run his hands over his body but was content to share the moment with her, to be part of something good for a change.

No woman had conjured such feelings of pure desire in him before, and he had to have her. Yet, for the first time in his life, he waited.