“What do you mean?” Luke frowned at her.
“There is no way you will allow me to marry your brother now. And you will not be able to leave without good explanation, and you seem disinclined to lie. Which means you shall have to tell everyone the truth about me.” Emily felt a lump in her throat, and her voice broke. “But I would rather it come from me. If it has to come out, I would like to be the one to do it.”
Luke said nothing for a moment, and when he did eventually speak, his words took her by surprise. “Do you still wish to marry my brother?”
She shook her head, confused. “What?”
“Do you wish to pursue this match?” Luke asked again.
Is this some kind of trick? This feels cruel.Emily narrowed her eyes at him. “The point feels moot. I doubt you would allow him to marry a woman who is barely literate.”
“I would not, you are correct. If I died, she would become Duchess. And one must be able to read and write if they are to manage an estate like mine.” Luke turned from her, and moved to the window. “With that said, I do not think I can grant your request.”
“What do you mean?” Emily’s heart sank.
“You asked for me to allow you to tell everyone your secret. I cannot allow you to do that.” Luke gave her a look.
“You cannot be serious.” Anger coursed through her, mingling with despair.
“Do I look like I am joking?”
Emily wanted to smack the smile off his face.
“I did not think you were cruel. You would rob me of my chance at happiness and refuse to allow me to reveal my shame in my own way.” Emily gritted her teeth, worried that if she moved she would lose control and strike the heartless man before her.
He canted his head. “What if you did not have to tell anyone the truth?”
“How can I not tell them? They will wonder why the match has not gone ahead. Unless you are saying you would lie for me.” Emily frowned.
“I would not lie.” The Duke said.
Emily wanted to scream with frustration.What is happening?
“Then what are you saying? You have already made it clear you would not allow someone like me to marry your brother. Even before you knew the truth, you have made it abundantly clear that you do not approve of the match” She scowled at him and began to walk towards the door. “I will not stay here and play these games.”
Before she could reach the door, she felt a hand clasp her wrist, firmly but gently. She whirled around, and found Luke staring at her. The warmth of his grip coursed through her.
“What do you think you are doing?” Emily breathed.
“I need you to listen to me, really listen to me and the words that I am saying. Not whatever hidden barbs you are determined to see.” Luke was panting slightly, his eyes steely and determined. “Once you have done that, you may leave if you wish.”
“If I had something to throw at you, I would.” Emily managed to squeeze the words past the lump in her throat, her scowl somewhat undermined by how difficult she was finding it to breathe.
“Then I shall be thankful you do not have any scones to hand.” The Duke replied, inclining his head towards her and letting herslip from his grasp. “Do you enjoy being illiterate?”, “Would you prefer never to learn to read?”
“What? Of course not! I hate it, and if I could change it I would. But I cannot.” Emily hugged her arms around her self-consciously.Why would I choose not to be able to read and write? How could I like this shame? Is he trying to belittle me?
“Good.” The Duke nodded.
“Good?” Emily repeated, utterly dumbfounded.
“The best student is one who wishes to learn.”
She scoffed. “Yes, but it does not matter if the student wishes to learn if there is no one to teach her. It is not exactly like I can just hire someone to tutor me, not without risk of exposure. And you are the only other person who knows my secret, and I very much doubt you are offering to teach me.”
“That is exactly what I am offering.” The Duke said simply.
“You… You want to teach me how to read?” Emily frowned, sure she must have misheard him. “Are you… Are you serious?”
