Page 7 of My Beastly Duke
“You seem to feel quite entitled, Your Grace. Why is it that you are so insistent on marrying me? I know that you do not wish to make me your wife, not in an honest way.” Her lips parted with a ragged breath as she placed her hands behind her on the door, using the cool wood as support.
Why does he look at me like that?
Unwanted thoughts filled her mind once again as he closed the distance between them and placed his arm above her on the door. She had fought the urge to kiss him in his study, yet she could feel her resolve melting again as she pictured his lips on hers. What would it feel like if he took her in his arms and ran his strong hands over her body?
“As I mentioned before, I am in need of a wife. I need an heir, and if I overheard the conversation correctly, you are in need of a home.” The heated look in his eyes as he dipped his gaze to her chest before lifting it back to her lips made the pit of her stomach knot with delicious tension.
“I am not a brooding mare, Your Grace…” her voice was low and breathy.
Leaning closer, the duke cupped her chin in the palm of his hand and forced her to meet his gaze. “I am fine with that arrangement. If you are a brooding mare, then that means I shall be a stud.” His eyes flashed with a look that sent shivers of pleasure down her spine. “Now, will you allow me to rescue you from this situation?” He ran his thumb over her jawline, causing heat to fill her cheeks.
Her breathing deepened as the woody scent of his soap filled her lungs. “I will agree to a marriage of convenience under one condition, Your Grace.”
“And what is that?” His hot breath tickled her neck just below her ear as he leaned in to whisper.
“My family needs a home.” She shut her eyes against the sensation of his body pressing into hers.
Drawing back, the duke held her gaze. “Very well, I shall provide a house for your family, but,” she gripped her wrist in his hand when her body relaxed. “You shall provide me with an heir before you return to them.” His thumb ran over her wrist, caressing her beating pulse before letting go.
“Very well.” She swallowed hard, fighting against the urge to place her hands on his chest.
A veiled expression fell over his face as he glanced around the room, seemingly unphased by the acceptance of his proposal. “And another thing. I spotted several animals lounging on thestairs as I entered, there will be no pets in your new home.” He narrowed his eyes at her.
“Of course, Your Grace,” She regained control of her breathing and crossed her fingers behind her back.
Chapter 4
Afew days later…
Aaron held his breath as Marina appeared at the doors of the chapel. She looked like a vision in her white dress with gold trimmings.
She looks so pure.
A pang of guilt hit the pit of his stomach when she took the few first steps onto the aisle. Her long blonde hair had been pinned to the back of her head in an elaborate bun that boasted hundreds of tiny pearls. The money he had given to her family to replace the dress she had worn before, seemed to have gone to good use as the bright afternoon light lit up the veil that traveled behind her.
Tearing his gaze away from the serenity in her face, Aaron berated himself for forcing such a beautiful woman to be hiswife. He was not even sure what had driven him to the decision. She had shown up in his home, and the next thing he knew, he was asking her to be his wife.
“Dearly beloved, we have gathered here today…” The vicar’s voice brought his attention back to the present as Aaron looked up to see that Marina had stopped beside him at the altar.
The sheer veil that covered her face did little to hide the fact that her eyes remained fixed on the vicar.
She cannot even stand to look at me…
Bitter feelings of self-resentment filled his chest as his body stiffened beside her.
Well, no matter. She is to be my wife now.
The few people attending the wedding shifted in their seats, creating a distraction from the turmoil in his mind.
“The bonds between a husband and wife are a blessing from God, gifted to us with love, and should not be taken lightly. If there is anyone present who knows of any lawful reason why these two individuals should not be joined in Holy Matrimony, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.” The vicar narrowed his beady eyes at the crowd, looking over Aaron and Marina’s heads.
The moment of silence that ensued made his palms sweat as Aaron’s hand twitched at his side.
Am I a monster for forcing her to do this?
His throat suddenly felt dry as he envisioned the life she would lead at his side. People would stare in curiosity and poke fun at the woman who married the beast. He was forcing her into a life of ridicule and scorn.
The vicar continued before Arron could respond. “Do you, Miss Marina Wallace, take Aaron Marner, the Duke of Harper, to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and obey, till death do you part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give him your troth?”