Page 21 of A Highland Duke to Claim Her Heart

It was humbling.

Humbling, and a little bit terrifying.

But most of all, it made her feel as if her heart were welling inside of her chest, as if she was going to cry, of happiness.

Was this feeling love?

“And if my father marries you,” the child continued, blissfully unaware of the emotions that were crashing through Cassandra, “that means that I shall have to love you, too!”

Cassandra couldn’t help but laugh at the child’s logic, and she pulled her into her arms.

“My dear, even if your father and I do not marry, you and I will always be close. And you will always stand out as the best playmate I could have hoped for.”

“Do you promise?” Annabelle asked, her voice suddenly small, and Cassandra kissed her forehead.

“Yes, my dear. I promise.”

After that conversation, Cassandra knew she could put off the conversation with the duke no longer. She needed answers. She needed to know what he wanted. Most of all, she needed to be given options about her life, so that she could decide her fate for herself.

She found him out in the gardens, walking slowly along the cobbled path. A nearby willow tree had cast him temporarily in darkness, and he looked every bit the brooding, hulking man she had met at the loch.

At the sounds of her approaching footsteps, the duke turned, and Cassandra felt momentarily winded.

He seemed even taller and broader than usual, his face hard and serious but no less handsome for it as he stared at her with an intensity that made her stomach tie itself into knots. She approached slowly, but when she was finally standing right in front of him, she held her chin high, defiant. Unafraid.

“What is happening?” she demanded, and she was glad to hear that her voice did not shake. “What did you find in Inverness?”

The duke’s jaw tightened, and she saw a vein throb in his neck.

“My brother is unlikely to return,” he said. His voice was low and gravelly, and she got the impression that he had not used it in some time.

So. There was the truth of it. Christopher had abandoned her.

She took a deep, steadying breath.

“More pressingly, your marriage is supposed to be tomorrow,” the duke continued, “and your reputation is at risk. Not only because of my brother’s waywardness, but because of my own actions.”

It took her a moment to realize what he meant.

“Because of the loch?” she murmured, and he nodded.

“I have risked your reputation,” he said. “And I will not allow my brother’s betrayal to tarnish it any further.” A feeling of unreality washed over her. She knew what he was about to say, but she still felt as if she were dreaming it. “Therefore, if you consent, I will marry you in his stead.”

The world seemed to tilt around her. She tried to breathe, but no air came. All she could do was stare up at him.

He continued, his eyes boring directly into hers. “I can offer you the protection of my name, my home, and everything that comes with the dukedom. You will be wealthy, respectable, and titled. And toward you, I will be nothing but honorable and decent. But…” he hesitated just a moment, and she felt her heart clench. “But I must be honest with you. I loved my wife, and when I lost her, I buried the part of me that is capable of feeling such tender emotions again. I never planned to remarry. So while I can offer respect, security, and partnership, I will not pretend that my heart is also on offer. I have nothing left to give.”

A long, pregnant silence filled the space between them.

Cassandra took a deep breath, and to her relief, found that her ability to breathe had returned to her. With it also came reality. This was really happening. And on the one hand, she respected that he was being honest with her about his capacity.

On the other, she could not pretend it did not hurt, to know that she would never be enough. That if she accepted, she would never know what it was to be loved.

Then again, you did not know that Christopher could love you, either.

“I will let you think upon it,” the duke said. “But you do not have long. The bishop arrives tomorrow. And I would prefer to get this matter settled quickly, before scandal touches it.”

And with a final nod, he left her standing alone in the garden, her thoughts reeling.