Dashing Dukes and Romantic Rogues by Caldwell Christi & Devon Eva & Scott Scarlett & Anders Annabelle & Andresen Tammy

Author:Caldwell, Christi & Devon, Eva & Scott, Scarlett & Anders, Annabelle & Andresen, Tammy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-07-22T16:00:00+00:00

* * *

Later that evening, the expected knock came at her door. She had deliberately avoided Will and hadn’t gone down to dinner, pleading a headache. He’d spent the bulk of the afternoon off riding—no doubt an attempt to placate his conscience after his endless deceptions. Of course, that supposed he even possessed a conscience.

“Are you well, my dear?” he asked from his chamber, his tone concerned.

She didn’t answer. Nausea churned in her stomach. A cold sheen of sweat drenched her entire body. She stopped in the act of pacing her chamber, hoping he would simply go away. She didn’t think she could bear to see him just now.

“Victoria?”

Before she could even form a response, the door creaked open, revealing her husband. Of course he would have a key at the ready after last time. She hadn’t thought of that. He wore a dressing gown, belted at the waist, and a worried expression marred the masculine beauty of his face.

It was God’s idea of a cruel jest, she thought again, giving a man with a black heart the looks of an angel.

“Whatever is the matter? It’s not like you to miss dinner.” He started across the chamber, but she held up a staying hand.

“Don’t come any nearer to me.”

He stopped, a look of surprise replacing the distress. “What’s wrong, my love?”

“I’m not your love.” She took a deep, bracing breath, attempting to muster up the strength she would need to go to battle with him. The duke’s revelation had left her shaken and weak.

“What are you on about?” He started forward again.

She retreated, eyeing him warily. “The duke told me the real reason you’re here at Carrington House. I wonder that you sent me to meet him without fearing that he would. Perhaps you believed he would uphold your deceits for you, but it seems yours is a mutual enmity. He told me he threatened to cut you off if you didn’t get me with child. That you’re here with me out of obedience to him. I know that everything has been a lie.”

Her voice broke on the last sentence, but she refused to cry before him. She clenched her fists at her sides, feeling dreadfully impotent. He tried to come to her, take her in his arms, but she pushed at his chest, refusing to be embraced. His face said everything she needed to know. It was true. All of it. He’d deceived her over and over again. I promise. I love you. Dear God, and he’d never meant a single word. The anguish was almost too much for her to bear.

“Victoria, I can explain.” He held up a placating hand.

“No you can’t. I don’t want to hear any more of your falsehoods.”

“I came here for the wrong reasons,” he said, gripping her arms to force her into stillness. “But I stayed for the right ones. I love you, more than I ever thought possible.”

“You only love your own selfish gain,” she snapped. “Unhand me.”

“Calm down, love,” he commanded. “By God, you’ve got to listen to reason.

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