Page 10 of My Beastly Duke
Her blood turned to ice as a wave of disgust that had nothing to do with the meat washed over her body. Seeing the man who had jilted her at the altar left her with a deep feeling of rage and resentment that coiled in her stomach.
Just who does he think he is?
She suddenly felt grateful that she had not married a man who would make such a mockery of serious matters.
“And what do you mean by that?” Aaron’s eyes darkened as he glared at his brother. The look of irritation that had been on his face was suddenly replaced by a veiled expression.
Walking over to the table, Adam pulled out a chair opposite his brother and slumped into the seat, flinging his arm over the back of the chair. His boyish looks, light brown hair, and even lighter brown eyes stood in stark contrast to his brother’s darker complexion. Even as they were seated, Marina could tell that Aaron was at least a head taller than his younger brother.
“Marrying the woman I left at the altar, of course. Evenyouhave to admit that that was quite a brazen move, brother. I knew you were jealous of me, but stealing my bride is something else.” He reached for a piece of the roast beef that stood in the middle of the table and popped it into his mouth. “Even if I no longer intended to marry her.”
The sight sickened Marina as she turned her gaze back to her husband. It took every fiber of her being not to wipe the smug grin off of his face. Leaving her at the altar was one thing, but bragging about it was entirely a different matter.
Aaron seemed to be seething with anger as he ran his fingers over his jaw. “You are quite mistaken if you think that I married Miss Wallace to spite you.”
Adam smirked, shaking his head as he took his arm off the back of the chair and leaned on the table. “Come, come, brother, let us not act coy just because Miss Wallace is present. You and I both know that this was a ploy to prove that you could win where I left off.”
Miss Wallace?
Marina wondered what had happened to the ‘wife’ that Aaron had used in the carriage. She seemed to have stepped into the midst of a family feud that did not make any sense to her.
“Marriage is not a game, Adam. Although I am not surprised that you would think of it as such.” Aaron reached for his glass, taking a sip of his wine.
His words seemed to anger Adam as he clenched his jaw and glanced at Marina. “I understand, you have to act like the all-mighty duke in front of your bride. Never fret, brother, I shall play along if that is what you wish.” He turned to Marina with a mocking smile that made her want to slap him across the face.
How dare the man who had jilted her at the altar, come traipsing into her new home as if he had not done anything wrong at all? He had not even offered an explanation or apology, but Marina had a sneaking suspicion that it had to do with their feud. If that were the case, she was not about to play their game.
Placing her hands on the table, she pushed herself up and faced her almost-husband with a smile. “I regret to inform you that you are quite wrong. His Grace did not marry me out of spite or whatever reason it is that you think. It wasIwho went to your brother and offered myself up for marriage. You see after you so kindly left me at the altar, I was left in the very difficult situation of dealing with a scandal!”
The expression on Adam’s face suddenly changed as he looked at the table. Something she had said seemed to have struck a chord.
“Your brother was gracious enough to accept my offer, saving me and my family from the scandal that you created. After the almost-ruin and difficult situation that you left me in, I hardly think it is appropriate to act with an air of superiority. Now, if you do not mind, I will excuse myself and head to my chambers. I am quite tired after such a long and vexing day. Good day to you, Mr. Marner.” She felt an immense sense of satisfaction as she turned away from the table, leaving the men to continue their argument without her.
The look of admiration and surprise that she saw reflected in her husband’s eyes, made her heart flutter as she left the room.
She had not been expecting to see Mr. Marner at dinner, but she also had not been expecting the duke to treat her as coolly as he did in the chapel and carriage. The fact that he had treated her like a burden made her wonder what the evening ahead would hold.
Would he treat her with kindness, or would he throw her on the bed and demand the consummation of their marriage?
Her heart raced with anticipation as she placed her hand on the banister and began to ascend the stairs of her new home.
I am the Duchess of Harper, wife to the Duke of Harper.
Chapter 6
Marina’s feet were aching by the time she reached her chambers. All she wanted was a hot bath and her bed after such a taxing day.
There is still the wedding night.
The thought made her freeze with her hand on the door. What would it be like to consummate her marriage with the duke? She certainly felt attracted to him, there was no denying that. His very being exuded an aura of power that pulled her in, making her feel as if she were sampling forbidden fruit.
The pit of her stomach knotted in a delicious melody of attraction and fear. Would he be gentle with her, or would he demand what was his and leave the room soon after? She sucked her bottom lip into her mouth at the thought of his muscular figure looking down at her on the bed.
“Your Grace!”
Marina almost jumped back as the door was yanked away from her fingers, revealing a startled maid in a black dress.
The girl quickly backed up and curtsied so low that Marina was afraid her legs would fold in half. Her bright blonde hair and charming green eyes seemed very pretty. “I beg your most humble pardon, Your Grace. I have often been told that I should think before I act. The housekeeper has warned me so many times not to open doors like a bull in a china shop!” The flurry of information that came from the girl’s lips, made Marina’s mind whirl.