Page 11 of The Duke’s Unwilling Bride

CHAPTER 5

Teresa

My mind goes a mile a minute as I stare down at the exposed expanse of skin on his arm. An odd sensation flutters through me as I watch the muscles ripple while he rolls up the other sleeve. Everything feels hot and flushed at the same time, as if I’m coming down with some sickness.

But what can it be? What can ail me so? By all rights, I should be furious he’s threatening punishment for something so minor, but instead, I wonder what his hands would feel like on my body.

“Well? What will it be? Your cousin or me?”

Standing to my full height, I jut out my chin. “Neither you nor Asher have a right to touch my person. Such duties are only given out by a parental figure.”

Asher clears his throat and steps forward. “I stand in that role now. Foxford, please be so kind as to fetch the birches. There should be some behind the desk.”

Pain cuts through my heart as I watch the duke turn. “You will allow him, a stranger, entrance into Father’s study, but not me? Not his only daughter?” Tears blur my vision as I push past Asher and grab onto Foxford’s shirt. “Beat me if you wish, but I will be the one to get the implement. Not you. Never you.”

I can’t explain the irrational rage as it beats in my chest. This is one more injustice I refuse to bear. Leaving behind the shouts and growls of the two Alphas, I tear up the stairs, hearing the thundering of their feet behind me. I just have to outrun them. If I can just get to the study first…

With my slight figure, it’s no hardship to ascend the staircase and zip down the hall, scaring the maids within an inch of their lives. I throw open the study door and stare at the mess, the utter disarray as papers lay littered over every available surface. As much as I want to, I find I’m unable to move.

I’m glued to the spot as my eyes take in the ruckus that wasn’t there mere hours ago. “What have you done?” I croak out, as an acrid clash of Asher’s astringent scent and Foxford’s woodsy, vanilla-ladened aroma invade the room, making my head spin.

The sound of the door closing, followed by the thundering click of the lock as I’m trapped in this space with two virile males, doesn’t even register at first. All I can think about is what Father would say looking upon this scene. He was always so neat and tidy.

Foxford’s scent teases my senses as the heat of his body comes up behind me, but I don’t dare turn. I won’t give him the satisfaction. Storming over to the desk, I put my hands against the wood and shove my bottom out.

“Punish me, if you think you must, but know I am not the villain here.”

I stare straight ahead of me, waiting for the blow of the birches that are sure to come. I’ve never been thrashed. Not once. Father never felt the need to take me in hand, seeing as I was always such a good girl. Now, however, I’m being punished, and for what? For speaking my mind as my father always allowed me?

Soon, Foxford’s face swims into view as he rounds the desk, setting his hands close to mine. “You are such a strong-willed little thing, aren’t you?” He reaches up and skims his fingers over the swell of my cheeks, smudging the tears that trickle down. “You must crave being broken. Why else would you have run?”

“Because,” I spit out, not caring the rank or title this Alpha holds, “you are not worthy to touch anything in this room.”

His frown as he leans back does odd things to my stomach—flipping it inside out. “And what makes me unworthy? Am I not a duke? A far higher station than your father?”

His words, though true, sting as if he physically slapped me. “Though a duke you are, you will never be as great a man as he.”

With a sweep of his hands, he brushes aside the papers, clearing space for a single, blank page. “I think I know a better punishment for you, dear harridan. You shall stay like this, bent over the desk, watching as I reduce your person to pounds and pence.”

Gripping the pen knife, he sits down in Father’s chair, filling the space as if he owns it. The only man I’d ever tolerate behind this desk would be my husband, but it could be I’m so willing because I know it would never happen. However, even if by some miracle I could marry and the house and lands belong to me again, this duke will make it his mission that I get handed off to the first man who shows interest in me. It won’t matter if he is worthy or not.

Back and forth, he and Asher discuss me as if I’m not there, spitting out numbers that make no sense to me. You will be taken care of. The words from my father run through my mind on an endless loop. Is this what he meant? Surely he thought Asher would do better by me. He must have thought that if he was going to leave me in his care.

“Ten thousand pounds. That should be more than enough to bring the young bucks calling.”

“Ten thousand is generous, Foxford,” Asher mumbles. “Are you sure you can spare that much for someone like her?”

“No doubt it will take that much for any man to take an interest in one so waspish.” Pausing, the duke slides his fingers under my chin, forcing my gaze to his. “All of your new clothes will be kept at my house, so nothing happens to them. I will not allow you to sabotage this in any way. You will attend lessons, so I may ascertain where your skills lie and what needs to be enhanced before meeting the queen omega. Is any of this unclear to you?”

“Not one thing.”

He pulls back and shows me his large grin, baring his teeth so that he resembles a wolf. “Are you not forgetting something?”

There are so many things I wish to say to that question, but right now, I don’t have the spirit or energy to fight anymore. “Your Grace.”

“Good girl. I will send a maid to accompany you to the modiste. She will have a list of everything that is to be made for you. You will also visit the nearby village shop to get the common items you will need. Not one pence will be spent on anything other than what I decree, and if I so much as get a hint of you trying to wheedle something else other than what I specify, your backside will be as red as the drapes in the castle. Am I clear?”

“Transparently, Your Grace. Is there anything you need from me?” I hunch there, poised, as I watch his lips twitch.