“Sit,” he commanded.
Violet slid into the chair, trying to mask her relief.
At last, we’re getting somewhere.
“What exactly is it that you want from me?” the Duke asked, steepling his fingers on his desk.
Violet took a deep breath. “I want your help to get Rosalie, my mother, and myself out of London—somewhere my father can’t find us.”
“And why do you think I can help you do that?”
“Well…” She flushed, then determinedly continued. “You have a reputation for your… unrelenting… nature. If the gossip sheets are to be believed, there isn’t a lord in England who isn’t scared of you or in your debt. If you help us escape, anyone involved will keep the secret because they fear you. And if we encounter my father in the process, you are powerful enough to ensure that he can’t harm us.”
The Duke sat back in his chair as he considered all this. Several tense seconds passed, during which Violet silently prayed that he would say yes.
At last, he sat forward. “And where exactly do you intend to go that is safe from your father?”
“To Scotland,” she said at once, her heart leaping. He hasn’t said no! “We have an aunt there who will take us in. She’s always wanted us to escape our father’s house and come stay with her,but of course, Father never allowed it. She will offer us refuge while we wait for him to be re-captured.”
The Duke looked unimpressed. “Surely, if your aunt has asked you to stay with her before, then it will be one of the first places your father looks.”
“Perhaps…” Violet bit her lip. “But Scotland is far away.”
“Not far enough for your father, I assure you.”
“Then we shall?—”
“And how exactly will your aunt keep you safe?” he continued scornfully. “Does she have enough money for guards? Does she live in a fortified castle? Is she skilled with a pistol?”
“No, but?—”
“Your plan is ill-conceived, Miss Violet. You don’t need a spinster aunt—you need anarmy.”
“And what exactly do you suggest I do?!” Violet’s annoyance flared at once. “I am trying to come up with the best solution until my sister Iris and the Duke of Eavestone return from their honeymoon! Then, hopefully, he can protect us. But until then, I am on my own! You might not know this, but when you’re an unmarried young lady without money of your own, your options are limited!”
She was red in the face, and her hands were balled into fists by her sides. She expected the Duke to start yelling now, but he was still watching her with that same calm expression.
“Well?” she prompted. “What do you propose, if my plan is so flawed?”
“Marriage,” he said lazily. “To me.”
Violet wasn’t entirely sure she had heard him correctly.
“I beg your pardon?” A strange buzzing sound filled her ears, and she had suddenly become light-headed.
Marriage. To me. He didn’treally just saythat, surely?
Except, from the smirk that was now curving his lips, Violet had a bad feeling he had really just said that.
“Marry me,” the Duke repeated. His tone was deadly serious, but the devilish glint in his eyes told her that he found the situation amusing.
Her ire was piqued at once. How dare he?!
“Do you think this is a joke?!” she spat. “This is my life, my sister’s life! Is my future a jest to you?”
“It is no jest,” the Duke said, his expression becoming unreadable again. “You are in want of a husband, and I am in want of a wife. It’s the perfect solution.”
“I am not in want of a husband,” Violet snapped. “What I need is someone who can protect me, and?—”
