AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“A pretty wife with a pedigree and connections such as your sister possesses? And your mother getting a title for her diplomatic work in France? Both are as valuable as a fortune, which the Gales do not lack.”
“I won’t let them,” I assured him. “I doubt any of my sisters would allow themselves to be used like that.”
“Fool, you don’t understand,” he growled and swung me towards him. It was late and cold, yet I didn’t feel the chill because his heat warmed me better than any furs could. He thrust his face into mine. “You need an alpha to protect you. Do you understand my meaning? Viola... Viola is going to be bargained away by your uncle for political gain. With your mother out of the country, there is no one to protect her. If she doesn’t accept their suit, they can as easily compromise her.”
I scoffed. “Even if my uncle wanted to, Mama would not let him. Your Grace, trust me when I say that my uncle loves Viola, my sisters as if they were his own. But Mama and my uncle Florey are not on good terms. She’d block—”
“Oh, your manners are too nice to see what others would do with Viola.” He snapped. My heart however hovered in a state of pleasurable shock that he said Viola so naturally. I could almost imagine he spoke to me, knowing all and accepting me as I was. “Be sure that Gale and her son believe that Viola will set them above others in the hunt for leadership of the opposition. I’ve no doubt they hope to marry and mate her by the end of the season, especially with your pet project going to a vote in a few months time.”
“Your Grace!” I gasped. “You think… Viola? I doubt she has that much value before her debut… Though I do see the argument… I just don’t believe that one omega could be such a powerful piece on the board.”
“You speak of a chess game? A fair comparison. She’ll be their gambit so that Gale can take the part of the queen. Now answer me. Does Viola look like you?”
“Yes,” I did not know where he was going with this.
“So she is beautiful. Don’t blush, Hartwell. You know you’re beautiful. Sarah was rubbing against you like a cat in heat. Don’t think that kiss you shared did not go unnoticed. If you were an omega… Never mind that. Should Viola have a fraction of your attractions, alphas will… Why are you looking at me like that?”
Had I been looking at him? I had been trying to look anywhere but at him… The duke had called me beautiful! No alpha had ever done that before.
“Was I looking at you?” I managed to ask when he continued to stare at me.
“Yes. The same look you had after Sarah stuck her tongue down your throat. Can’t believe you kissed her like that. You looked…” he cleared his throat. “Remember I don’t want to see you tomorrow.”
Without any warning he turned down the next street, leaving me to watch his retreating back. He’d provided food for thought. Would alphas move so quickly? Forego the Marriage Mart in favour of deals behind the scenes? Compromise me, negating my mother’s influence.
My fingers brushed my lips, which still tingled with the memory of Sarah’s kiss. What would the duke’s kiss do to me? Would I be as lost? As… No. Dangerous enough I even considered it.
