Page 32 of My Beastly Duke

“I jumped in with my sword just as the enemy was about to drive his sword into Adam’s throat. The fatigue of the battle had gotten to me and misjudged the step, pushing the man out of the way but landing on Adam. The man of course sought revenge, and I got the sharp end of the blade.”

“But Adam was safe.”

He raised his head and met her gaze as if he were seeing her for the very first time. “Adam was safe, and I was scarred for the rest of my life. I came home to a betrothed who saw me as a monster rather than the future Duke of Harper.”

“Aaron, I can’t imagine what you must have gone through.” It took all of her restraint not to cry as she stood and came to his chair, kneeling in front of him.

Aaron looked down at her, more vulnerable than when he had started talking.

“I want you to know that I do not see you as a monster, on the contrary, I think you are rather brave as well as handsome. I do not know a single man that would have made it through half of the things that you have endured in your life.” She took his hands in hers and kissed them before laying them back on his lap.

The look of vulnerability in his eyes suddenly clouded over with anger. “Don’t pity me, Marina, I have lived with these scars for long enough to know that I am a monster.” He gripped her hands and pushed them away, making her sit back on her haunches.

Marina suddenly felt even more confused as she watched him move away from her, placing enough distance between them to make it feel like a void.

“I have dealt with my younger brother up until now, there is no need for you to interfere.” He gave her such a cold look that Marina felt like fleeing.

Why won’t he listen to me?

She suddenly felt more hurt and rejected than the night of their wedding. He had opened up to her, and she in turn had tried to make him feel safe. Had none of what she had said even made a small dent in the wall he had built?

“I know that look of pity in your eyes, and I will have no part of it…” He looked her over one last time before leaving the room and shutting the door firmly behind him.

Pity?

Is that what all of this was about? Did he hate the pity that he saw in other’s eyes when they gazed at his scars? A mixture of anger and hatred suddenly hit the pit of her stomach. Curling her fingers into a fist, she pressed against her abdomen, trying to will the pain away.

She needed to do something that would make him see that she was not the enemy. Far from it, she wanted to help him.

Chapter 14

Afew days had passed since Aaron had opened up to Marina, and nothing she did seemed to be having an impact on him. She wanted nothing more than for him to see that she was on his side. She had even gone as far as sending Adam away, stating that she would invite him again soon.

What she had not expected was that her mother and sister would arrive for tea. She wished that their visit would not make things too much worse.

“You look wonderful darling.” Johanna Wallace came forward, kissing her daughter on the cheek.

“And you look even better than I can remember. Have you been doing anything different, Mama?” Marina took a step back, holding her mother’s hands in her own as she examined the color of her cheeks.

Her mother’s eyes sparkled with life. “I think it is the weight of the world that has been lifted from your dear old Mama’s shoulders, dearest. The house that the duke set up for me and your sister is magnificent, as is the stipend he sends to us every week. We want for nothing.”

As if on cue, Prudence appeared at her mother’s side, sporting the latest fashions that did not seem to improve her countenance. “Will your new husband be joining us for tea?” She instantly narrowed her eyes, her lips remaining pursed in a thin line.

Sensing a war, Marina reached for her sister’s hands. “Now, you listen to me; I do not want you playing any tricks on the duke. He has done quite a lot for us, especially for you and Mama. You cannot treat him like you treated the baron.” She used her sternest voice to get her point across.

“But he took you away from me and Mama,” Prudence replied in a cool voice. The scowl never left her cherub face.

“He did not take me away, Prudence. We got married, there is a difference.” Marina came up straight with a sigh, realizing that she would have to keep an eye on her sister.

“You should have married his brother! Adam Marner is far more handsome than the beastly duke.” She said his name in such a dreamy tone that Marina looked at her mother with a frown.

Her mother mouthed the words ‘never mind’ while shaking her head.

“May I go on ahead and greet the animals?” Prudence asked in a sweet tone that Marina did not quite trust.

“You may, but I am warning you, no tricks, young lady.” She narrowed her eyes to convey her seriousness but could not help but smile as her sister scampered away.

It was easy to forget that Prudence was still a child. She had lost her father at thirteen and endured more than most by the time she was fourteen.