Page 81 of The Duchess He Couldn’t Resist

FRAYING EDGES

When Brandon summoned Marigold to the study, she was expecting it had something to do with the operation against Johnny. And yet she could tell that he looked more agitated than normal. He had tension on his shoulders and a tightness in his jaw that made her see that something was wrong.

“I want to annul our deal.”

She stared at him as the words hung in the air. She still couldn’t grasp the full meaning of them.

“What?” she asked in the most composed way she could summon.

“Our deal,” Brandon said. “You have already given me all the information you need about Johnny. As for the other part… an heir… that doesn’t need to be a part of our deal anymore.”

Marigold felt the floor drop right under her feet, and yet she still had to pretend she was standing tall. The thought that came to her was simple and heartbreaking. Brandon didn’t need her anymore.

“I see,” she lied because for the life of her, she couldn’t understand what was going on.

“I’m glad you do,” Brandon seemed relieved.

Marigold nodded, unable to form a coherent conversation in this moment.

“You see, Marigold,” he said, looking into her eyes, devastating her with that deep look of his, “you are now free to…”

He hesitated. Of course, he did. He was just letting her go. It was not that he should concern himself with how she would spend that freedom. After all, that freedom came with the title of the Duchess, so he must be thinking that that was enough restitution.

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

Brandon frowned upon hearing her call him in that formal way.

Perhaps he was expecting her to break down in hysterics. That proved how little he knew her. She had been through a lot and still hadn’t broken down, and she refused to do so because…

“If you’ll excuse me, I would like to go to my room,” Marigold said and didn’t wait for his answer.

She turned her back and walked out of the room. If she stayed one moment longer, she might have broken down in tears.

Marigold all but ran to her room and closed the door, leaning against it so that she wouldn’t completely collapse. Her hands were shaking, and her heart was pounding. He always had that effect on her but not for the same reason.

He’s letting me go. He doesn’t want me anymore.

That was all she could think about. The only thoughts that her mind would allow were getting darker and darker. She could only find one reason for this change of heart.

The other night. Their intimacy. It was not to his liking. He was already bored with her, a clueless spinster of low means.

Marigold pressed her hands to her face and took a shaky breath. She couldn’t afford to fall apart, even though she really wanted to. She may have lost him, but she still had a lot of good things for her. She still had this house to run, her little garden, Duck.

As if sensing her distress, the giant dog woke up from his slumber on the carpet in front of her bed, padded over, and stood before her. Marigold slid down to the floor and pet her head absentmindedly.

“Well, I hope you still want me.”

Duck licked her hand as if in acceptance. Marigold chuckled, biting down her tears.

* * *

That night, Marigold did not go down for dinner, and she sent word that she was unwell. She was informed that the Duke had left the house earlier. She was not surprised to hear so.

So now, Marigold just lay in bed, staring at that luxurious canopy of her big, empty bed. Her mind was determined to torture her, replaying every little moment they had shared. Every single touch. Every kiss. Every time he praised her.

Was it all a lie?

That question replayed in her mind again and again. Was it all a game, part of the deception? Was he going through the moves like he did every time he seduced a woman? And she was so naive as to fall into his trap.