Page 31 of The Odyssean Duke

He was mocking her. Evelina’s face burned as if she had been dropped into a furnace. Only Mrs. Poleman’s timely arrival with tea gave Evelina sufficient time to recover. She needed to seize control of this situation.

Evelina straightened her spine and primly poured herself a cup of tea. She sensed His Grace’s eyes fixed firmly on her face. Mrs. Poleman left the room, smiling slyly.

“I know that you are waiting for my answer,” Evelina said. “However, I have some terms which I must insist upon you accepting before I give it.”

“I anticipated as much, and I have already prepared documents in anticipation of them.”

Evelina arched a brow. “We shall see if they align with my wishes,” she said. “First, I want a promise that you will not exercise your marital rights to control my person. That includes where I go and with whom I choose to spend my time.”

He frowned. “Do you intend to make me a cuckold?”

“Irrelevant,” she said. “Do you agree or not?”

“Fine.”

“Next, I will appoint my own trustees,” she continued. “I have already chosen three of them—all men—so you will be forced to comply.”

His Grace laughed bitterly. “I am familiar with clauses and trustees.”

“Then, you agree?”

“I would rather other men not be involved in our marriage, but if that is what you wish, I suppose I will agree,” the Duke of Rothbury said. “I have some conditions of my own.”

“Yes?”

“You will remain in the same house with me until the baby is born.”

Evelina furrowed her brow. “That is unnecessary.”

“I disagree. You are looking after your own interests,” the duke said. “You must also respect my desire to safeguardmyinterests. When we marry?—”

“Ifwe marry,” Evelina interjected. “I have not yet agreed.”

“Ifwe marry,” he echoed. “I will need an heir, and for that, it is in my best interest to see that you are safe and healthy. For the sake of the baby. I will agree to the rest of your terms.”

Evelina frowned, considering the condition. “You make it sound as if I cannot be trusted to take care of myself.”

“I trust that you can,” he said, “but there is no harm in being certain, is there?”

She clenched her teeth, trying to decide if the point was worth arguing. His Grace sounded quite like he wished to control her.

“If the child is a boy, how do you wish to proceed with the marriage?” His Grace asked, seemingly oblivious to her indecision. “Would you prefer a legal separation, or should we continue living our separate lives?”

Evelina wrinkled her nose. “I had imagined that there might be more than one child. Even if my child is a girl, which I want more than anything, I would still—well, I would want for her to have siblings.”

“We have one chance,” His Grace said. “I must produce an heir in ten months.”

“Or else?” Evelina prompted, mentally calculating how unachievable that goal seemed.

“Or the Dowager Duchess of Rothbury will assume power, and I will have nothing but my title,” His Grace said.

All the air seemed to leave Evelina’s lungs. She and her friends had been correct! Therewasa stipulation in the late duke’s will!

“Even if that should happen, you will still be financially secure,” the duke said, withdrawing folded papers from his jacket. “Here is what I had intended to offer you—an allowance and your freedom after the heir is born. It is similar to what you have requested with only a few additional stipulations.”

Evelina took the papers, her heart beating very quickly. “I will review these with my solicitor and contact you again.”

The Duke of Rothbury shook his head. “I will not wait,” he said. “I intend on applying for a special license after I leave you tonight. We need to try for that baby as soon as possible, my lady.”