Page 63 of Stolen By the Heartless Duke
“And what did you say?”
“I agreed.”
Lavinia asked. “Did you believe that?”
Jane hesitated. “I… It cannot happen again,” she said firmly.
“Why?”
“Because it changes nothing. Clearly, the duke is focused only on locating his own brother. Besides, he’s never expressed an interest in finding a wife.”
Lavinia watched her carefully. “Until now,” she smirked.
“Lavinia… the duke is only helping me find Colin. When Colin is found, our arrangement ends.”
Lavinia remained unconvinced. “And then?”
Jane looked away. “He returns to his life.”
“And you?”
“I return to mine.”
Lavinia frowned. “You truly believe that?”
Jane frowned in return. “Of course.”
“He does not strike me as a man who kisses women without intention. Not to mention I’ve noticed the way he looked at you.”
Jane’s stomach tightened.
Jane sighed. “He does not… He is not fond of me, Lavinia. He barely tolerates me.”
“And yet he keeps finding reasons to spend time with you.”
Jane nodded. “Because of our brothers.”
Lavinia leaned closer. “Jane.”
“What?”
“I think you’re trying very hard to convince yourself.”
Jane looked away. “I am simply being sensible.”
Lavinia reached over and squeezed her hand. “You are frightened that if you allow yourself to hope, he will disappoint you.”
The words struck far closer than Jane wished. She looked down at their joined hands. “He does not wish to marry me.”
Lavinia blinked. “Has he said so, explicitly?”
“No.”
“Then how do you know?”
Jane hesitated. “Because…”
She stopped. Because he was a duke. Because she was the disgraced sister of a missing earl. Because he had every reason to keep his distance. Because men like him married for dynasties. Not scandal.
