Page 8 of Stolen By the Duke of Stone

If he had intended to give William up, he would already have done so. The fact he had offered her marriage proved he was taking the situation seriously.

“I have explained why I cannot do that,” the duke said with a hint of irritation. “You cannot protect him from scandal as an unmarried lady, and you would destroy your reputation along with it. Rebecca, I know, would not have wanted her child’s guardian to be ruined.” His lips thinned. “Fear not, Lady Jessamine; this is no sentimental suggestion. I am aware that now I’m duke, marriage is an expected inevitability, and with William to care for now, a practical necessity. Your wish to care for him makes you an ideal candidate. This is the only clean solution.”

Her brows knitted together as she took in his words.

The Duke’s face hardened. “If you force my hand, I will wrench the child from you and carry him away from here. I’m reluctant to stoop so low, but if the situation calls for it, then I will.”

“Surely, you must see how absurd this is,” Jessamine said, although an uneasy feeling erupted in her gut.

He meant every word he said: he would prize William from her arms if she refused him.

“It’s highly irregular,” Henry said, “but the Duke’s argument is not without sense, Jessamine. It would be prudent to consider it.”

Jessamine looked at her sister, but Irene merely nodded her head, though she looked uneasy. “I agree. Marriage is a drastic solution, but… but if you wish to stay with William, Jessie, I see no other way of doing so. The duke has a higher claim.”

Jessamine looked down at the baby in her arms, still sleeping. He cared nothing for law or reputation or whose claim was greater. He cared only for safety and love, and he was safe here with her.

For now.

“There is also the advantage to you,” the Duke of Knightford continued calmly. “You would have a title, status, protection. You would want for nothing. And in return, William would have everything he is entitled to as my heir.”

Jessamine glanced around at everyone in the room, but Henry and Irene studiously avoided her gaze. She was alone in this. Only the duke met her eyes, steady and sure, calm as the ocean on a clear day. The ice in his eyes had not melted, but it seemed smoother now. Clearer. Something that a careful woman might navigate.

“Tell me,” she said, “what sort of marriage you’re offering.”

“I need a woman who will care for William and be the mother he clearly requires. If not you, then I will need to find someone else for the role. However, I can see how much you care for him already, which is why I offer to make this union happen. For William’s sake. The marriage is for my second cousin and for him alone.”

A marriage of convenience where her husband had no designs on her. A large house and a safe place where she could raise William.

The offer could certainly be worse.

William’s tiny hand curled instinctively around her finger as he slept. If she refused, she would not be allowed to keep him, and even if she did, she risked bringing Henry and Irene into this mess.

There was nothing else for it.

She drew herself up as tall as she could go. “In that case, thank you, Your Grace. I accept. For William’s sake,” she added, in case that was not already clear.

“Very good,” Andrew said with a small nod. Almost immediately, he moved to the practical considerations. “We must make the arrangement properly. I will make an announcement in the paper to declare our engagement, and we will be married as soon as I can arrange it. I’ll speak with my solicitor and ensure that William is named directly as my heir and given my name.” He looked her and William over. “You may… keep the boy until we are married. Since he’s grown so accustomed to you,” he said, with the air of making a difficult concession.

“Oh.” Jessamine had not expected this at all. “Thank you.”

“Once we are married, you and William will be moved into my house, and the boy will be raised there. But until then, I will send a nursemaid I’ve personally approved and some of my own personal staff to keep an eye on you both.”

Jessamine bristled at this high-handed management. “There is already a nursemaid installed here,” she said tightly. “And she is doing perfectly well. What is more, the larger the household, the more people will attract attention to the house.”

“Then you may dismiss all your previous staff, if you’re worried about drawing too much attention,” the duke said with that same arrogant authority in his voice. “I am allowing you to keep William, but I will not compromise his safety.”

Jessamine looked at Henry, who, in the process of this discussion been heartily insulted about the trustworthiness of his staff, but he only nodded.

“I’ll bring my people out,” he said. “Once yours arrive, Knightford.”

The Duke nodded. “I will begin the legal work at once to ensure everything is done properly and quickly. Expect an announcement tomorrow morning. As for the wedding, I expect it to take place within the week.”

So soon.

Then again, given the situation, this ought to be what she hoped for.

“Thank you, Your Grace,” Jessamine forced herself to say, though she did not think herself particularly thankful at all.