To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield (20 page)

BOOK: To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield

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Now she was afraid. Something was wrong. He was trying to beguile her into this marriage – why? Melissa couldn’t hold his seductive gaze. Warmth seared her skin at his touch.

Before she could even think to pull away, he leaned forward and kissed her…. Giving her a long, lingering, completely devastating reminder of the sensual power he held over her.

When he straightened, leaving her dazed and longing, his face was serious. “We will be married as soon as I obtain the special license. That is the only course open to us. I know it’s not what you would have chosen, but I could make you happy. I can’t promise to ever love you, but I can make your life comfortable. You’ll want for nothing.”

Except love
, Melissa thought glumly. “I want to be happy, that’s true. I’m just not sure you’re the type of man that could make me happy.”

Melissa knew with certainty he would never be faithful. The ache in the vicinity of her heart sent pain lancing down her arms, until she had to clench her fists.

Lord Wickham’s eyes noted the movement.

He was reputedly a man of insatiable tastes where the opposite sex was concerned. She did not expect him to change his ways overnight – or ever – not for her.

He was starring at her intently. “Can you say that any other man would make you happy? Are you in love with someone else?”

She sucked in a short breath. “No. I am not in love with anyone.”

“Then there is nothing more to discuss. You will become my wife. Society will feed you to the wolves with any other outcome.”

Society. With sinking heart Melissa’s hopes of avoiding becoming the Countess of Wickham died. She would never win against the might of the
ton
. Her charity work, her fight for people’s freedom was all she had. She would surely lose her ability to secure funds, to lobby for changes to the law. As the Countess of Wickham she would be afforded entry into the highest echelons of Society. She could do a world of good, perhaps speed the passage of change. But she was going to have to give up her freedom to achieve her goal – the abolition of slavery in all forms – first Negroes and then she would help women. Women who, often, were no better than slaves. Owned by men. Men who could treat them as they saw fit. The
ton
was full of examples of men’s cruelty.

She would fight for freedom by giving up her own. The irony was not lost on her.

Melissa looked into Anthony’s silver-grey eyes and shivered. What was it about this man? She should be petrified of the brooding rake. She licked her lips not quite believing she was so readily capitulating. “Before I accept your proposal –“

“You don’t have a choice.”

“Before I accept -,” she leveled a serious gaze at him, “I have one favor to ask of you. Call it an engagement gift of sorts.” She watched his eyes narrow into cautious slits. “Anthony, I have no wish to be the laughing stock of the
ton
, nor do I assume would you.”

Melissa was pleased to see Anthony’s confident smile dim slightly. “I will grant you any favor in my power to give.”

She tried to keep a blush from scalding her cheeks. “I would like your promise that you won’t take my cousin as your mistress. Put bluntly, I do have some pride. I don’t want my husband sleeping with a woman I am related to.”

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