Page 44 of My Beastly Duke

It was no wonder that everyone believed what they were reading, the article had been signed off by the duke’s brother.

Shock took over when she recalled the breakfast where Adam had requested a scandal sheet to be brought to him. Had he been playing some kind of game all along?

No. It has to be a mistake. Why would he do this?

She turned back to the room, ignoring the crowd as her eyes searched for her husband, catching a glimpse of his back before he disappeared through the doors.

“Excuse me, I need to go after my husband.” She handed the sheet back to Penelope before lifting the hem of her dress and pushing through the throng.

Women and men gasped as she cleared a path, not caring if she stepped on any feet or breached the borders of propriety.

She waded through the crowd before reaching the doors and bursting into the empty entrance hall. “Aaron, wait!” she called after him, hurrying forward when she saw him taking the steps two at a time.

Aaron did not seem to be paying attention to her as he reached the bottom of the steps and continued toward his carriage.

“Aaron, please, wait! Let’s talk about this!” Heat flushed her face as she hurried to keep up.

Turning without warning, Aaron snapped at her. “No, I am done talking!”. His eyes were filled with rage and hurt, making her heart ache as she stopped and took a step back.

“Aaron, I will understand if you try and explain, I am only trying to help…”

“Help? Is that what you call it? I have been humiliated in front of the entire ton! You can never leave me well enough alone. My affairs with my brother have nothing to do with you! Nor do I need you to defend me like that.” He flung his arm in the air, gesturing to the house behind him where the music had begun to play again.

Her heart broke into a million pieces when she noted the accusation in his eyes. “I do not understand…”

“No, you do not. You keep trying to turn me into something that I am not, making out as if I am this great hero when, in fact, I am a monster! You have been pushing and pushing me into your world but you know what? I do not want to fit into it!” He raised his voice, advancing on her until he was towering over her.

It took Marina a moment to reflect on his words until she found the strength to straighten. “Well, if that is how you truly feel, Your Grace, then I have happy tidings for you. I am with child. As per our agreement, you never have to set eyes on me again. I will leave for my mother’s house tonight.”

Aaron took a step back as if he had been slapped and stared at her. “Why did you not-”

“This is what you wanted, is it not? An heir to carry your line?” She raised an eyebrow in question despite the trembling that she felt throughout her body.

Swallowing hard, Aaron straightened and let out a breath. “Well, that is good news. My duty as your husband is done. We cancommence with the second part of our agreement and live our lives separately, given that it is done discreetly.”

“Discreetly. That is all that matters to you, isn’t it?” Marina shook her head, hoping for a response other than the cold words that had come from his lips.

“Yes, do not pretend that I have ever led you to believe that I wanted anything more. You are with child, which is all that was required between us.”

His words cut through her chest like a sharp knife as she shut her eyes against the hot sting of tears.

How could this happen? Nothing should have ended like this.

“Now, if you will excuse me, I am sure that your friends will be able to organize a carriage for you. I will have your belongings sent to your mother’s lodgings as soon as possible.”

His voice trailed off as Marina kept her eyes shut. It was almost too painful for her to look at him as she heard his footsteps retreating, followed by the sound of a carriage door and horses' hooves beating the gravel.

Maybe it is better this way…

A single hot tear fell down her cheeks as she folded her arms around her waist, cradling the unborn child who she thought had been created out of love.

How terribly stupid have I been?

Chapter 18

Why must I destroy everything that I touch?

Aaron shut his eyes in anger, cursing himself as the carriage neared his country mansion. He had been happy to hear that Marina was pregnant, thrilled in fact, yet the faces of all the guests judging him had suddenly come to mind.