What a Duke Dares (Sons of Sin 3)

“Pen, look at me.”

“No.” It was childish, but she couldn’t bear that concerned stare, as if he only pursued her best interests.

“If you won’t look at me, will you at least listen?”

“I don’t want to.” More childishness.

“I won’t give up. I won’t have the world calling you vile names.”

That had her turning. “You could convince a spider to weave you a shirt, but you won’t change my mind.”

“At least you’re looking at me,” he said calmly.

“I won’t marry you.”

“So you’ll let me become a public laughingstock?”

Oh, he was cruel. Her throat felt dry and tight. “That won’t happen.”

“If not a laughingstock, then a byword for villainy. A man who ruins a childhood friend and abandons her to face her disgrace alone.”

“Nobody who knows you will believe that.”

A muscle flickered in his cheek. She couldn’t doubt how deeply he wanted to save her, even at the sacrifice of all his hopes for a different life. “But it’s true.”

“You’re exaggerating.”

“No, I’m not. Your reputation will be in shreds. And it’s my fault.”

His remorse on her behalf stripped another layer from her defenses. She felt like she waged a losing rearguard action. “We didn’t do anything wrong.”

His level stare stirred unwelcome memories of their kisses. “Not for want of trying.”

Mortifying heat rose in her

cheeks even as her temper stirred. “If you recall, that encounter was an absolute shambles. Instead of proposing marriage, any sane man would run for the hills.”

“You were right to hit me.” She supposed that was the closest he’d come to an apology. “Pardon my frankness, but there was no lack of heat between us.”

“That’s no basis for marriage,” she snapped and caught a flash of satisfaction in his eyes at her unwitting admission.

How could she marry him, loving him and knowing that he’d never love her? He hadn’t changed from that young man who had dismissed love so contemptuously in her hearing. She just needed to remember his reaction when she’d asked if he loved Lady Marianne to recognize that Camden Rothermere was as set against love as he’d ever been.

Pen was a passionate creature who when she cared, cared wholeheartedly. A lifetime pining after an unattainable man who remained a hand’s reach away would destroy her. She’d be like a dog choking on a chain too short to reach the water bowl.

“It’s a start.” He stepped closer, making her aware of his height and strength. His evocative scent filled her nostrils. “Desire is on our side.”

“Desire is on your side,” she corrected sharply. “I’m trying to be sensible.”

The affection in his smile knocked a few more bricks off the walls of her refusal. “No, you’re trying to be obstinate.”

Oh, dear God, she was so susceptible. The slightest warmth from Cam and she wanted to curl up at his feet and beg for his love. That humiliating image made her scowl down her nose in her best imitation of his imperious glare. “I refuse to marry a man who won’t take me seriously.”

To her complete astonishment, he burst out laughing. “My sweet Pen, I take you as seriously as an epidemic.”

She didn’t smile. “Charming.”

The time he took to sober didn’t advance his cause. “Fate seems set on us marrying. Nine years ago, you escaped. You won’t escape now.”