Duke of Dishonor (Lords of Scandal 11)

He held either side of her waist, as he tilted his head back to look at her. “Emily.” Her name came out rough. “I did not race to your rescue twice because I don’t care. I…” He was revealing too much.

The words were liable to start an avalanche of others.

And then he’d be begging her forgiveness for being so like his father. And she’d surely reject him after she knew what he’d put her family through.

She already suspected he was only serving himself. It’s why she felt so out of control. If he told her…Emily might very well leave him.

She ran her hands through his hair, cradling the base of his skull. “That does change things.”

“How?” he asked very quietly as he held his breath.

Emily lightly massaged his scalp. “I accept your proposal.”

Relief made him weak as he leaned his forehead against her stomach again. “Excellent.”

“But I have some conditions.”

He didn’t move. “Such as.”

“If you want to marry on the boat, I’ll concede but we need to have another ceremony with my sisters.”

“Done,” he answered, wrapping his arms about her waist. “What else?”

“I’ll have a say in the business and money that is my own. Also, each child we have must have an inheritance set aside at birth.”

That surprised him. He titled his head back. “You want control of the business?”

“I want to be part of it. To understand it.” She slid her han

ds to his cheeks. “I was left penniless and my sisters kept us from starving but…” She shook her head. “We should have had access to money. I’ll never be in that situation again and neither will any of my future daughters. They need choices.”

His throat closed and he swallowed a lump.

How had he not realized this? She’d been at the mercy of this world and he’d been taking more choices from her from the moment he’d walked into her life. “I concede.”

He understood her need. He’d been working for years to get his life back. And he’d hold his end of the bargain. But she should know how he’d taken advantage of this situation.

He should tell her the truth.

But he just couldn’t.

Chapter Eleven

Emily woke to sunshine streaming in through a porthole.

While the boat rocked, it was a slight movement that was far gentler than when she’d gone to bed.

She stood and glanced out the tiny window, expecting to see ocean. Instead, another ship blocked her view. Were they in port?

She’d have to wait to find out. She wore one of Brandon’s shirts, which only fell to mid-thigh, her legs entirely bare.

A soft knock sounded at the door. “Emily?” Brandon’s voice filled the cabin.

“Yes?” she turned.

“I’ve brought a dress for you.”

“Where are we?” she asked as she crossed the room.