Page 9 of Stealing His Duchess

But this was his doing, and there really was no other way around it. He spared another glance at Anna, unable to keep his eyes from sliding her way. She raised her head to meet his gaze, and for a moment, the only thought in his mind was of how… lovely she was.

“ Grace? Your Grace!”

Hudson blinked and returned his attention to the lady’s brother, trying to retrieve his train of thought.

“Your plan?” Rowland prompted, which was not as helpful as it could have been.

“Ah. Yes,” Hudson cleared his throat. “I have already taken steps to see that the scandal is contained. However, for those steps to succeed, I require your permission to ask for Miss Danvers's hand in marriage.”

CHAPTER FOUR

Heavy silence filled the room.

Anna's raised her eyebrows sharply, her eyes wide with something between shock and outrage, but it was Rowland who spoke first, his voice dangerously quiet.

“You sit there, Your Grace, as though you are discussing a matter as trivial the weather. As though the ruin of my sister's reputation is a subject to be handled with the same detachment as a business arrangement.”

“I assure you; I do not take the matter lightly –”

“You kidnapped her.” Rowland's composure cracked at last, color rising in his face. “You dragged her from the street, frightened her half to death, and now you sit at my table and speak of marriage as though it were the natural next order of business. I do not want you anywhere near my sister. I would sooner meet you at dawn with pistols than hand her over to a man who thinks so little of what he has already done to her.”

“Rowland –” Anna began as she moved to stand beside him.

Rowland whirled around, sternly stating. “I am quite serious, Anna. I would rather challenge him to a duel outright than watch you shackled to a man who could have seriously hurt you and now proposes marriage as though it were as simple as speaking the words so we would do what he says.”

The idea of getting married to this… brute of a man terrified Anna greatly. He might have been apologetic about the manner she had been captured, but he was headstrong and stubborn. Not to mention – he seemed completely opposed to the idea of love, judging by how outwardly he had expressed his dissatisfaction over his brother’s choices in the name of love.

And that was all she had wanted for so long. It was the reason she had faced the new season with renewed hope.

However… in light of this new scandal, who was to say she would get the opportunity to find the love match she desired? Last time, her sister’s husband had done his very best to silence the news of her scandal, but the cost was high. Afterwards, she had sworn to never cause her siblings such grief again.

Yet here she was, saddled with yet another scandal – one which might not readily fade like the other did. Perhaps… perhaps this was her only chance to end up in a marriage.

Her only chance to at least gain some semblance of security.

“Rowland,” Anna said again, more firmly this time, reaching out to tightly grip his arm, her heart thundering in her chest as both men turned to look at her. “I accept.”

The duke blinked, clearly not expecting her easy agreement.

“Anna –” Rowland started.

“I accept his proposal,” she restated firmly, her voice steadier now, even though she was still clinging to her brother. “The damage is done, Rowland. It cannot be resolved by wishing it away, and a duel will only make matters considerably worse, not better. Marriage is the only sensible course, and I intend to take it.”

Rowland stared at her as though she had taken leave of her senses entirely, and for a moment, Anna wondered if perhaps she had. But as she stared at him, she could see the exact moment his resolve cracked. Try as he might to act tough and commanding, he would never enforce his preferences or opinions on either of his sisters.

Anna had known this, but she appreciated his efforts to protect and defend her, regardless of the decision she eventually came to. Which is why she hoped, more than anything, that she would not come to regret her choice.

“Absolutely not,” Rowland refused sternly, planting himself between Anna and the duke, his gaze sharp and angry. “I do not care what your reasons are. You have a lot of nerve – coming into our home and making such silly demands, when you are the one who made a mess of her life. If you have any honor left, you would fix this instead of trying to silence her with a proposal.”

Anna’s heart weakened in the face of her brother’s protective display, and she began to question if she had been too hasty in making a decision.

“With all due respect, Lord Hartmoor, this matter is between your sister and me. If my influence – as vast as it is – could silence the rumors once and for all, I would not be here. However, it seems many are still aware of the previous encounter with near-ruin and are unwilling to be silenced again. I’m afraid this is the only option we are left with – much to my dismay,” the duke scoffed, folding his arms.

The thought of once more being the subject of whispers and stares filled Anna with dread. It had taken a lot to put those days behind her, and now… she was at risk of losing the life she had fought to reclaim.

Quickly, she tugged Rowland around to face her, shaking her head as her gaze softened pleadingly.

“Rowland, it’s – it’s fine. I’ll do it.”