“Does it matter?”
“If we are discussing marriage, yes.” What was she saying? Surely she was not even thinking on his ludicrous proposal. She knew nothing of this man but a sobriquet, and was certain Mr. Atwood awaited her.
The duke’s brows lifted and irrationally she wanted to step closer to him, tip on her toes and trace his slashing brows. Maybe even massage the lines on his forehead that indicated he had cause to frown often. She couldn’t do this. “You know nothing of my character, nor I of yours.”
“I value honesty above all else.”
“I…I…” She frowned. She had simply been making a point, not seeking his finer qualities.
“Whatever right I have to happiness I receive from being in my daughters’ presence.”
Her heart lodged in her throat. “You have children?”
“Yes.”
“I…I…what are their names, their ages?”
“Lady Sarah is six years and Lady Rosa is nine.”
It was impossible for Adel to speak. When had their mother died? Who was now caring for them? Were they happy? The crushing pain and loneliness she had endured when her mother passed reared its head.
“I will have your answer, Miss Adeline. I do not have all night to linger over your indecision and lack of concern for your reputation.”
The retort strangled in her throat. He was insufferable, but it seemed the duke truly wanted to marry her. “I am sure, Your Grace, you see how shocking your…your…offer is. You are a duke and I…” She swallowed past the lump that had somehow formed in her throat. What was she? A simple lady with simple pleasures not made for the grandiosity of being a duchess. “I have nothing to offer you, no dowry or suitable connections.”
“Once again you are overlooking the obvious, we must marry.”
Adel winced. She had little option but to say yes to his proposal. “I never imagined I would have a grand love story. But I at least thought there would be some affection between me and my husband. Some common interest…a spark of something deeper than duty and obligation to society’s judgment,” she said softly.
The man before was so aloof, she wondered fleetingly if it had been someone else in the dark. She did not believe he even liked her.
“It is tempting to offer you false flattery to save you from your foolhardy actions, but I despise deceit. I will not promise you tender sentiments. All the love I had to give is buried six feet beneath the earth, in the family vault in the churchyard of our parish church.” His tone was autocratic and unrepentant. “People marry for duty, for material considerations and for offspring. If you are naive enough to want a marriage based on love, please walk away from my offer and face society’s derision and scorn with your Mr. Atwood. I have endured torment and loss, and its bitter taste is one I have no wish to suffer ever again. The false illusion of love I will not offer you.”
The slow thud of her heart was painful. The duke’s words were so cold and emotionless. Adel firmly believed a couple closely aligned must fall deeply into tender romance. Even her father and Lady Margaret appeared besotted at times.
“It must be terribly lonely to have such beliefs.”
“Yet I am quite contented.”
Was he not at all affected by her impulsiveness? Did he not rail that he would no longer wed Evie? “And Lady Evelyn?”
He arched a brow. “I have already surmised Lady Evelyn is the reason you entered my chamber in error.”
Adel could not refute the truth of his words. They were standing distressingly close, yet Adel was unable to withdraw from his false comforting warmth. “Then what do you offer, Your Grace?”
“I offer you your own home and my name, Miss Adeline.”
Yearning struck her in the stomach, thick and undeniable. A family…of her own, and she would be a duchess, more powerful than a countess and be positioned to aid her younger sisters. But surely Wolverton must think her beneath his ilk.
“I offer you power and wealth. I will promise you faithfulness, the protection of my name and title.”
“But not the more tender sentiments.”
“Yes.”
“You would consign us to a cold union.”
“I would save your reputation, give you a life of privilege you can only imagine, and in turn you will provide a comforting presence for my daughters.”