Forever in Your Arms by Amanda Mariel

Author:Amanda Mariel
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2019-12-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Phoebe sat on a sofa in the blue parlor, mechanically working on her embroidery while Rebecca relaxed across from her doing much the same. Two days had passed since Father ordered her to marry the duke, and she’d spent her time since sequestered in her home.

She’d neither seen nor heard from His Grace. A fact that grated on her nerves as well as her mind. The dreadful man had no sense of decency. No care for her at all. If he did, he’d have come to call to check on her welfare.

Was he so cross that he intended to completely ignore her? Did he plan to follow through with their wedding? She pulled her needle through the cloth as she pondered the situation.

Father assured her that the duke had agreed, but perhaps he’d changed his mind? After all, he was a duke with a tarnished reputation. What did he care about scandal?

It was likely he was as upset as she over the entire debacle. All the same, it would not pain him overmuch to show her some consideration. To share his thoughts with her and discuss their predicament like adults.

“Ouch,” Phoebe exclaimed as she poked herself with her needle.

“Are you all right?” Rebecca lowered her embroidery to look at Phoebe.

Phoebe nodded as she flexed her fingers. “Quite.”

“I dare say you are lying,” Rebecca said. She placed her embroidery on the oak table beside her, then stared at Phoebe. “You have been moping and distracted for days. I needn’t ask why, for I already know. But it is clear that you need to talk to someone. You cannot keep everything bottled up inside. You’ll go mad.”

Phoebe gave a slight shake of her head. “There is nothing to discuss. Father ordered me to marry the duke, and I shall.” She notched her chin in feigned confidence. She may not wish to marry him, but she was determined none the less.

“Nonsense,” Rebecca moved to sit beside her sister. “There is plenty to discuss. To begin with, what has been running through that pretty head of yours?”

A grin pulled at Phoebe’s lips. She could scarcely help but smile when Rebecca complimented her in such a way.

“There, that’s much better.” Rebecca beamed. “Now let us talk about all that’s bothering you. Perhaps I can be helpful. At the very least, I can provide reassurance.”

Phoebe sighed, her shoulders rounding as the fight left her. “It is only that I do not know what the duke is thinking. I’ve not seen or heard from him since before Father demanded we marry. I scarcely believe His Grace intends to honor the agreement.”

“Oh, he’ll take you to wife.” Rebecca sprung from her seat, then lowered herself onto the sofa beside Phoebe. “Graham is not completely without honor.”

Phoebe gave a sardonic laugh. “I cannot believe it has come to this. You know, it was all because of the storm. Had I not been so frightened, none of it would have happened. We would not have been alone. My dress certainly would not have been removed.

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