Page 48 of My Beastly Duke

“When will you be coming to collect her? At the risk of sounding too selfish, I would like a good night’s sleep, plus I think she is in love with you.” She stated as a matter of fact.

“And what do you know of such things?” he asked her more seriously, taking note of the way her eyes changed with the question.

“I will say it again, Your Grace, I may be a child, but I know a thing or two about unrequited love. It can make a person sick with longing.” Her voice was softer as she avoided looking at him.

Aaron gave her a moment to compose herself when it looked as if she were about to cry. “And what do you suppose I should do? I know that you like to eavesdrop, you are aware of the way that everyone speaks about me and my scars. Your sister is better off away from me.”

“Is she allowed a say in her happiness?” She looked at him with a serious expression, standing her ground as she refused to be brushed aside.

Rubbing the tips of his fingers against his thumb, Aaron kept his gaze fixed on hers, sizing her up as they challenged one another.

“I know that I have not made the best impression when it comes to you, Your Grace. My little joke with the fish eggs was childish, but when it comes to the happiness of my sister and mother, I do not jest. They are all that I have in this world.” Her bright green eyes filled with tears as she sighed, her shoulders slumping forward.

“Let’s say that I decide to bring your sister back, how do you think she would deal with the onslaught of scorn and ridicule that will undoubtedly be flung in her direction?”

Cocking her head to the side, Prudence glared at him. “Did her reaction at the ball not mean anything to you, Your Grace? Marina is a strong woman, if you can’t see that, then perhaps you do not deserve her. Heaven alone knows why she loves you, but she does.”

Her words cut deep into his chest, making his heart clench painfully.

Is she right?

Did Marina actually love him while he was far too stubborn to see that he was hurting her? Even if he was trying to protect her, he was failing miserably by the sounds of it.

“If that is not enough to convince you tell help me, you should know that the Baron of Wallace has been harassing us.” She said more defiantly, pulling herself up a few inches.

“How has he been harassing you?” Aaron sat up straight and took more notice. The situation with the baron had been plaguing his mind ever since his conversation with Adam. If the man would go to such devious lengths to get revenge, then there was no telling what he would do in the future.

“He has been coming to our house, demanding money and threatening us with scandal if we do not give it to him. Just this morning, he showed up at our house screaming and shouting about how we owe him for where we are. Believe me when I say that he will not stop at anything. Even if it means hurting us or causing a scandal.” Her eyes shimmered slightly with tears, hinting at the fact that she was scared despite her behavior.

What would the baron do if he did not get his way? Would he resort to harassing them into submission, or something worse?

“And has your mother given him any money?” Aaron asked, intrigued by the turn of events.

Prudence shook her head. “No, we have turned him away, but he will not put up with that for very long. This morning, he said that we would pay with our lives if we kept on refusing him. He… he had a gun with him.” Her eyes were concerned despite the brave front that she was showing him.

With their lives?

Her words made him sit up a little straighter as he wondered if the man had been drinking. Even if he had not been in his right mind, it did not sit well with Aaron that he was willing to make such threats.

“I see,” Aaron answered, feeling as if he understood the feisty young girl and her need to protect her family. She had been pushed to his door out of fear more than anything else.

“Please, Your Grace, I am asking you to help us. You have done so much for my family already, but only you can help us. Marina needs you.” Her voice was pleading as she wrung her hands in front of her.

The door to the study suddenly opened, revealing Adam as they both looked up.

Aaron instantly noticed how the girl began to blush, acting more shyly as she rolled back and forth on the heels of her shoes.

“And what do we have here? You did not tell me that we were expecting such a lovely young guest.” Adam winked at the girl, making a wave of heat fill her cheeks.

Unrequited love.

Aaron watched the interaction with interest as Prudence suddenly seemed to have swallowed her words. He was not certain how it had come about, but he was certain that Prudence had been referring to Adam.

“Miss Prudence has come to inform us that the Baron of Wallace has been pestering them for money. He has made a very concerning threat.” Aaron decided to spare the girl any more embarrassment as it seemed as if she wished to sidle toward the door.

“Is that so?” Adam’s demeanor instantly dropped as he looked from Prudence to his brother.

“That, and my sister is in love with the duke,” she mumbled under her breath before shifting her gaze away from Adam.