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“I do not wish to speak about it anymore.”

“Ah, but it’s true,” Penelope continued, undeterred. “Of the three of us, you are the one who’s always in control, rarely does anything rash, and thinks things into the ground before doing them. Do you not find it hard to believe that something like this happened to you and not me? If Tommy kissed me like Mr. Yarnsby kisses you, I would have been in complete disarray, probably half undressed when the duke happened upon us.”

Despite the situation, Vivian giggled. “You paint the most vivid of pictures, dear sister.”

“You see, then?” Penelope continued. “When he proposes tomorrow, you must say yes.”

“What?” Vivian, was bent over and removing her dress, lost her balance and fell onto the floor, her legs tangled in the skirts. “Ouch.”

“Marriage,” Penelope said as she hurried over to help her up. “I am sure the duke is insisting he marry you. How else do you think this entire situation will be dealt with?”

Halfway up, her feet still in the skirts, Vivian gave up and sank down on the floor. “I don’t know. If it was you this happened to, or even Clara...”

“You would tell us that we would have to expect the repercussions of our actions.”

She was right, of course, but Vivian wasn’t about to accept it. Instead, she looked to the door, discarding one idea after the other. Running away wouldn’t work since the carriages and horses belonged to William. Speaking to Alexander wouldn’t work. With her luck, the duke would catch her sneaking into his room. She looked to the window and considered if she could make it to her aunt and uncle’s estate that wasn’t too far. On horseback, half a day, on foot...

“What is so horrible about marrying him?” Penelope asked. “He is wealthy, of good social standing, soft spoken, and extraordinarily handsome.”

“I suppose that is the one thing holding me back. He could marry anyone of any social standing. If he accepted his father’s title, he would be a lord. I am but a commoner with no desire of wealth or social standing. Why would he want to marry me?”

Penelope gave her a droll look. “Because you’re beautiful. Mr. Yarnsby has had his eye on you since the first day.”

“I wish for a home where my husband and I can live in peace and raise our children without the burden of society watching everything we do.” Vivian sighed. In truth, she pictured him when thinking of a husband and children.

“Sounds like a life at his estate. Far from society, yet you can travel to London whenever you wish. You’d not only have Clara near, but also our aunt and uncle.” Penelope pouted. “I just considered that with both of you here, I would remain all alone with only Glenda for company on occasion.”

“We should sleep. Perhaps this is all for naught, and the duke and Alexander will pretend nothing occurred.”

Vivian stared up at the ceiling, the darkness of the room giving her comfort. She dreaded having to face everyone at the breakfast table. This was a situation she’d never thought to find herself in.

Suddenly, she sat up, her eyes wide.

Her parents were to arrive the next day.

Duchess Torrington would feel it her obligation to inform her mother of what had occurred, and surely the duke would speak to her father.

“Ugh,” Vivian exclaimed, falling back onto her pillow.

Chapter 9

As the morning sun trickled past the curtains, playing lightly upon his bedding and floor, Alexander considered what the day would bring. He didn’t budge from under the warmth of the covers, enjoying the silence of the early morning.

He’d been up late with his uncle and William. The duke was clear that he was to marry Vivian Humphries. William had tried to dissuade his father, stating it was a moment of passion that would not affect Vivian negatively since no one was witness to what had occurred. In the end, the duke had put his foot down.

The man who was like a father to him had looked him in the eye. “Tell me you do not care for Vivian Humphries, and I will ensure she finds a husband.”

He’d been struck silent. “What do you mean?”

“I will find her a husband quickly, perhaps Anthony Foster,” the duke stated.

“That fop?” Alexander huffed.

“Do you care for her?” He continued the unblinking eye contact.

Finally, he’d looked way. “I do.”

“Very well, then, the matter is settled.”