Page 8 of The Duke Who Claimed Her

“I am not doing this because of you,” the Duke hissed at her father. “Know that to be true. Were I a different type of man, I might drag you outside and…” He clenched his jaw as if to hold back his anger. “What I am is honor-bound, a man of duty who recognizes that sometimes, we do not have a choice.” He held her in his gaze in a way that made it seem as if his anger was for her. “I will take your daughter to be my wife. To save her name, to protect her, and most importantly, to free her from you.”

Chapter Three

Caspian stood outside the closed door. It led to a small antechamber at the back of the abbey, where his now betrothed was waiting. After he declared his intent to marry her, Lord Witherington asked her to leave the nave so he and Caspian could discuss the details of the marriage.

A marriage! It still sounds absurd, just to consider it.

It was an hour ago when Caspian finally agreed that he would consider the possibility of marriage. Even then, he doubted it would actually happen. He said it more to appease his cousin and to cover his own guilt because he knew deep down he needed to do better by Timothy.

An hour ago… How quickly things can change.

His discussion with Lord Witherington was brief. Mostly, it was to confirm that a license would be obtained quickly so the marriage could proceed before either of them had a chance to change their mind. Once that was settled, he sent Lord Witherington to fetch his cousin, as Caspian was sure she was wondering where he had disappeared to.

Also, he needed her advice. And desperately. Was this a terrible idea? Was it the right thing? Hopefully, his cousin would align his fears…

However, before doing anything else, Caspian still needed to talk to one person. If the marriage was going to happen, he had to make his bride understand what the marriage would entail. Just as important, he needed her to see that he had not done this to trap her, but to save her.

Or was it to save myself? Again, Caspian could not say.

Rain drummed against the abbey’s roof, bringing confusion and doubt. Caspian, never one to let his emotions control him, felt more nervous than ever before. With no idea what to expect or even what he wanted, he took a deep breath to steady himself, grasped the door handle, and entered the small room.

“Oh.” Miss Witherington was sitting when Caspian entered the room, but she jumped to her feet immediately. “I was… You are here.”

Caspian came to a stop. Not intentionally, but in that small room, alone, suddenly with his betrothed, he was caught off guard in a way he should not have been surprised by but was nonetheless unprepared for.

She was beautiful; that was the reason. Her thick auburn hair shimmered, illuminating the room. Her blue eyes were captivating, impossible not to stare at, and those Caspian found himself getting lost in. Skin as white as milk. Full lips. And when he dared to flick his eyes downward, his heart skipped a beat at the sight of her hourglass figure.

He swallowed unintentionally, stared a moment longer, and then snapped himself out of his trance, forcing composure because those things were necessary.

“I have just come from speaking with your father,” he began, focusing on her forehead so that he did not lose himself in her eyes again. “And we have agreed that when the license is procured, the marriage will go ahead.”

“Oh…” She blinked as if the news surprised her. “That is… Yes, that makes sense. I suppose it is for the best.”

Caspian did not know what reaction he expected from her. As silly as it sounded, he figured he might have appreciated some gratitude. After all, he had every reason to feel as upset as she probably did, the only difference being that he was doing it for the right reasons.

It might be nice if she were grateful, at least. It is not as if I want this!

“You suppose?” he said, biting back his frustration. “It is a good thing. Your father will be kept at bay, and your reputation will not be ruined by scandal. I am doing this for you. It is not as if I…” He clicked his tongue. “I did not orchestrate this.”

“I did not say that you did,” she said.

“You sound as if you think so,” he said sharply. “Just as you look as if I am responsible for it. As if I… Your father is the one who did this.”

It was ridiculous, he knew. But the look she gave him showed no gratitude. No sign of relief at all. Instead, she seemed unsure, as if she might change her mind. As if he were the one who needed to explain himself!

And people wonder why I never wanted to marry…

“And I do appreciate that,” she said carefully. As she spoke, she fidgeted with her hands, just as she constantly looked up at him and then away. “And while I will forever remain grateful, I feel that I should make it clear…” She took a deep breath, and when she looked up that time, she did not look away. “I will do as is expected of me, as your wife. In that, you have nothing to fear. However, I also wish for you to know that I intend to remain as my own person.”

Caspian blinked. “Excuse me?”

“I will not be trapped,” she said with more bravery than she had shown so far. “I did not escape my father’s controlling influence only so I might be found under your own. I am not to be used.”

Caspian stared at her in bewilderment.

He had hoped for gratitude. He had hoped that she might realize that he had saved her. Instead, she thought to make demands of him.

Caspian looked down at Miss Witherington, viewing her differently than before. When he first saw her, she was crying. When her father appeared, she withdrew and played the victim. But now, for reasons he could not understand, she changed like a phoenix rising from the ashes.