What a Duke Dares (Sons of Sin 3) - Page 51
He winced at her jibe. “Not always. You’ve made me wait nearly ten years.”
“Don’t count your chickens,” she said sharply, although they both recognized that she argued for pride’s sake. “While the world thinks we’re married, we’re not. If anyone learns the truth, our children will be exposed as bastards.”
The thought of creating those children made her sick with apprehension, although this marriage could never have been a chaste arrangement. Cam needed an heir. Given the gossip about his birth, he’d countenance no doubts about that heir’s legitimacy.
But how could she lie in his arms and know that duty alone brought him there? How could she lie in his arms and pretend mere liking when every beat of her heart echoed his name?
“Credit me with some sense,” he said equally sharply. “We’ll say we fell madly in love in Italy and married in a Roman Catholic ceremony in some obscure village because we couldn’t bear to wait.”
“How romantic,” she said flatly.
He ignored her interjection. “We’ll arrange a quiet ceremony at Fentonwyck to confirm our marriage under English law. You’re in mourning for Peter so nobody will question a quick, private wedding.”
“That’s… interesting.” Actually it was brilliant. If Cam wasn’t playing skittles with her life, she might applaud. “The sticklers will question the validity of the Continental ceremony.”
He shrugged. “Most people will accept our story, especially once our first child arrives.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Just how many children are you planning, Your Grace?”
Mockery curled his lips. “The prospect of fatherhood makes me feel quite dynastic.”
“It makes me feel ill,” she snapped.
The amusement drained from his eyes and he regarded her searchingly. “Pen, I’m sorry. I know this isn’t what you want. If I hadn’t barged into your life, you’d still be free.”
Pen straightened her spine and staunchly told herself that she could endure a future with Cam. Perhaps marriage wouldn’t be too bad. Many ton couples lived separate lives. Surely once Cam had got her with child, he’d pursue other interests.
Oh, damn, she didn’t want to think about those interests. He’d take a mistress and she couldn’t insist otherwise. This wasn’t a love match and she had no claim on his emotions or fidelity. This was a marriage of convenience. A business contract.
Dear Lord, if she didn’t stop, she’d be sniveling like a lost puppy.
Courage, Pen.
But as she stared down the empty years ahead, she wanted to scream and cry and insist that it wasn’t fair. “It’s not your fault the ship sank. It’s not even your fault that Peter asked for your help.”
Cam’s gaze was wary. “That’s remarkably reasonable of you.”
The smile she summoned felt like a rictus grin. She had the sensation of entering a long, dark tunnel. “You’ve chosen a remarkably reasonable duchess, Cam. I hope you appreciate her as she deserves.”
Chapter Fifteen
Leath House, London, late March 1828
I begged you not to go to James. Why didn’t you listen?”
Vibrating with fury, Sophie paced the small Chinese summerhouse. The swish of daffodil yellow skirts added an incongruously sunny note to her tirade.
“I’m sorry.” Harry slumped onto the bench and endured his beloved’s perfectly justified temper. He hadn’t spoken one word to Sophie since his disastrous meeting with her brother three days ago. “I loathe sneaking around. I wanted everything aboveboard.”
“I told you he wouldn’t countenance your suit. I told you he wanted me to marry Desborough.”
Of necessity, s
he kept her voice low. Discovery remained a whisper away, however well concealed this pavilion. It was late afternoon and the gardeners had finished for the day. The servants had dinner inside the house. Leath plotted parliamentary maneuvers at his club.
“I hoped he’d give me a chance.”
She stopped prowling and glared at Harry until he winced. “You should have trusted me when I said he wouldn’t.”
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