His eyes were hard as stone. “Underestimate you? Certainly. You’ve been defying me and social convention at every turn.” His gaze lifted, meeting Patrick’s. “We’ll secure the license today. You’ll be wed tomorrow.”
Justice cleared his throat. “He’s interested in purchasing horseflesh from you, Ben.”
Ben’s jaw flexed again. “We’ll discuss the details of the transaction tonight. Right now, we’re going home.”
Transaction. That’s what her life was…a transaction. It was everything she feared.
She turned to Patrick. At least it was him. She could console herself with that. Could she gain his affection in time?
Her stomach twisted. Did she have anyone’s love?
But as she tried to meet his eye, to gain some sort of assurance, Patrick refused to meet her gaze.
“Let’s go,” he said. “We might as well get this over with.”
“Over with?” she whispered. “How perfect.”
* * *
Patrick tried to hold back his resentment.
He’d known that Millie didn’t want to marry. But lately…
Lately, he’d thought her position had softened.
And then there were the kisses.
Still, she’d been perfectly clear just now. She didn’t wish to marry him.
They moved around Millie even as he held out his elbow to her. Ben came to her other side, Justice in the front, Dez in the back. His horse was tied off to the back of the carriage and then they were off.
The carriage, though large, was not meant to hold four such large men and Millie was pressed into his side.
Her cheek came to rest on his shoulder, her eyes closed.
He was angry. Furious at the circumstances and hurt by her resistance. But at the press of her, he had a difficult time holding onto those feelings. And when he looked down and watched a silent tear down slip her cheek, his own chest constricted.
He tried to understand. She’d had a dream…one that had been dashed to bits.
Hell, that same thing was likely about to happen to him. Even if the duke sold him the horses, it would be a year or more to the first foaling. How would he support Millie until then? Return to the ring?
And then there was his sister. He wanted to support her, too. Bring her home to live with him. Would he ever be able to do it?
But the idea of his dream disappearing didn’t hurt nearly as much as he thought it would. In fact, now that it was happening…the idea of Millie being his…
He wrapped an arm about her shoulders, squeezing her closer. She’d need time to adjust, and he’d do her best to give her choices in their marriage. That’s what she’d been wanting all along.
She pressed deeper into his shoulder and her heard it then, a small catch in her throat. Her hands were twisted into her skirts and he knew she fought the emotions threatening to tumble out.
He held her closer still, the other three Whites staring at them. He ignored all three of them, wrapping his other arm about her. “It’s all right,” he softly murmured. “It’s been a hell of a day.”
Was she crying because she was being forced to marry him? He cringed at the thought. He’d comfort her regardless. If there was one thing he’d learned from his family it was that love was the answer. Terrible things happened when it was withheld.
A hand came up to cover her mouth as another little sob broke from her throat. “Patrick,” she gasped out, the sound muffled in his shirt. “I’m so sorry.”
Sorry? She was sorry? What for?
He wished he could pull her into his lap, but he was already taking a great many liberties. “There is no need to be sorry. You’re the one who should receive an apology.”
“No shit—” Justice started.
Dez smacked his brother’s knee. “Shut up,” he gritted out through his teeth.
She shook her head against his side, but she said nothing else. She kept her face buried for the rest of the ride.
And when they arrived back at Whitehaven’s townhouse, Patrick half lifted her out of the carriage and, with an arm under each of her elbows, helped her up the stairs and into the foyer.
Both duchesses rushed forward as soon as they entered, and in seconds, they’d whisked Millie up the stairs.
Patrick watched her go, his insides jumping with emotion. Regret. Longing.
“My study,” Ben said from next to him.
He gave a nod, falling in step behind the duke. Dez and Justice falling in line behind him. It felt a bit like a funeral march. His.
But the moment they entered the office, Ben tossed himself into a chair by the fire and gestured for Patrick to do the same.
Gingerly, he sat.
Dez and Justice sat on the settee along the far wall. This was not the meeting he’d expected.
“Is Millie all right?” Justice asked, his hands clasping.
Patrick’s brows lifted. “I’d like to speak with her to find out.”
Ben gave a tight nod. “There’s little harm in it now that you’re engaged.”
Justice ran a hand through his hair. “She’s always so strong. I didn’t expect…she took me by surprise…”
Patrick gave a nod of understanding. “I’m still getting to the bottom of it, but she seemed to want to prove her worth to all of you. That she was useful. She’s damned good with numbers, unlike anything I’ve ever seen. She’s not a bad sleuth either, her mind fits pieces together. She hoped to use those skills to help you with the dukedom. Keep the books. Solve problems.”
Ben’s jaw flexed but he didn’t respond to Patrick’s comment. After a moment, he took that as a signal to continue. “She called her childhood a cage and she’s afraid marriage will be the same trap.”
More silence.
Patrick shook his head. “She even talked with Veritas about supporting herself with the assets she’s collected.”
“What did father leave her?” Dez scrubbed his face. “I never asked her what was in her letter.”
“Our mother’s jewelry,” Ben said.
“Fuck,” Justice said. “She’s the richest of us all.”
Patrick started. She’d offered him a ring, but he’d assumed it wasn’t that valuable. Even after Veritas’s comments.
“Father would have sold them if he could,” Ben said. “Mother must have been explicit in her own wishes.”
Patrick sat forward. “She’s not actually wealthier than you, is she?”
Ben shrugged. “No, but so much of the wealth left is entailed. She’s got far more liquid cash. It’s something I’m rather short on.”
Patrick nodded. He took a breath. “Justice mentioned you’re looking to sell all or parts of your former business. I’ve saved 5000 pounds. What will that buy me?”
Ben raised his brows. “You’re about to leave the city with Millie. Is this the ideal time?”
Patrick straightened. “I can’t marry her without knowing I have a means of supporting her.”
Ben relaxed then. “You care for her.”
He did. “I’d not marry any woman without knowing I could provide.”
“I don’t just mean that part,” Ben waved his hand. “I could see it in the carriage. You bear an affection for my sister.”
He gave a stiff nod. This was not the group to declare the depth of his feelings. “I do.”
“Good.” Ben nodded. “My stock of horses is of the most excellent quality. Your sum will buy you a single one.”
His chest tightened. He should have known. Still, one good mare and he’d be able to breed. “All right.”
“But,” Ben held up a finger, “you’re about to be a rich man.”
“No,” he bit out. “I’ll not have my wife finance my future.”
Ben smiled. “Good.” Then he rubbed his hands together. “We’ll consider your money a deposit then. You’ll take over my business and you’ll pay me annually for the next…twenty years. Let’s say ten percent. That should give you plenty to live off of.”
&n
bsp; Patrick blinked. “But don’t you need money now?”
“I do,” Ben regarded him with a steady eye. “But the advantage of being a duke is that creditors will be held at bay with a solid plan in place. And I’ve enough assets that I’m slowly selling to keep them happy.”
Patrick slumped back in his chair. There it was. His dream was coming true.
But somehow, it didn’t feel nearly as good as he’d hoped. Since meeting Millie, his wants had shifted, and without her affection, owning a business, fulfilling his dream, wasn’t nearly good enough.
Chapter Thirteen
Millie slid the large wooden box out from under her bed.
Night had fallen but she’d stayed in her room, taking a tray for dinner.
She didn’t trust herself to be around her family and, honestly, she was embarrassed by her behavior in the carriage. She’d never meant to cry in front of her brothers.
Crying was a weakness and not one she indulged in very often. Especially with them. Oddly, she hadn’t minded so much with Patrick. It had felt…natural. Still, she didn’t wish to see her brothers. Not yet.
Everyone would retire soon. And then she’d leave her room.
She cracked open the lid of the box, staring down at the collection of winking jewels. Many were dear to her heart.
The sapphire necklace and earrings had been her grandmother’s gift to her mother and then to Millie. She remembered her mother holding them up to Millie’s ears, she’d been only a toddler, but she could still feel the softness of her mother’s skin, her lavender scent filling Millie’s nose. “These will be yours someday.” It was her only memory of her mother.
A ruby necklace, set in gold and encrusted with diamonds sparkled up at her. She ran her hands over several more.
And then she picked up the last piece in the set.
A large diamond.
For all Millie knew, it was the most valuable in the case. But to her mind, it was the one piece that she’d happily toss away. It had been a gift from her father to her mother, which, in her mind, made it the least worthy of them all.
Closing her hand around the ring, she closed the box and slid it back under her bed. Rising, she started for the door.
Chloe had told her Patrick had been moved from the carriage house and into a guest room, which made him far easier to talk to without anyone being the wiser.
If he’d already blown out his candles, she’d likely not be able to find him. But if he still burned a light, she’d figure out which room he was staying in.
She crept up the stairs to the third floor, making her way down the hall. Sure enough, light slipped from under the door of the third room on the left.
Raising her hand, she gave a soft knock. It was time for her and Patrick to have a talk. There was so much to discuss and nearly all of it…private.
He opened the door at once, filling the doorway, blocking the soft light from his room. “Millie.”
“I…” she started. “I wanted to speak with you about today.”
He pulled her into his room without a word. The moment the door closed behind her, his lips descended over hers in a kiss that filled her with such passion, she forgot to breathe, to think. Instead her arms wrapped about his neck and as her empty hand spread out, the press of the ring pushed into her other palm. She loosened her fingers about the stone to better feel the skin of his neck.
He must have felt the stone pressed into his flesh. “What’s that?” he said the moment his lips left hers.
She sighed. Couldn’t they just keep kissing? Had she come here to talk? Suddenly, it was the last thing she wished to do. She looked into his eyes, his crinkled at the corners as he considered her. “What?”
He took a step back and reached her hand, pulling her closed fist between their bodies. She slowly uncurled her fingers, allowing the diamond to come into view. Even in the dim light, it sparkled.
His breath sucked in. “What is that?”
“It’s what I promised you for helping me,” she answered. “With it, you could go anywhere, buy anything you wish.” The words hurt. She didn’t want him to leave but she also couldn’t allow him to stay. She would only set herself up for hurt if she did.
He sucked in his breath as he pressed her fingers closed again. “You’re going to buy me off?”
“What?” she asked, her head cocking to the side. “What does that mean?”
“You want me to leave that badly that you’ll pay me off?”
She heard the bitterness in his voice and her mouth dropped open. “Pay you off?” She shook her head. “It’s you who doesn’t want to marry me, remember?”
“I never said I didn’t want to marry you.” His jaw hardened as he assessed her.
“You said you didn’t wish to marry…you said…”
“I said, which I’ve already restated, that I didn’t know if I could support a wife. I’d not commit you to poverty, Millie. What kind of man would I be if I couldn’t provide for you?”
She drew in a deep breath. “I see.” The ring still rested in her palm. She stared down at its many facets. “But today my brother forced you into the match.”
Patrick touched her cheek, his thumb skimming her skin. “He didn’t have to press because I am unwilling to wed. If he had to force me, it’s because you deserve better than me.”
She shook her head. “Better? Who could possibly be better? It’s you who—” she stopped afraid to say more.
“What?” He moved closer again, his arm hooking her waist and pulling her close
She flattened her palm against his chest. “You should have a woman who is…lovable.”
His brow pushed together. “And you’re not?”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“Why would you think that?”
One of her shoulders rose up. “No one I’ve loved has ever stayed.”
His mouth opened and then closed. Then he cupped her cheek with his palm. “Millie, I’m not going anywhere. Not even for a diamond ring. You, my love, are stuck with me.”
And then he kissed her again.
His lips moved over hers, stealing the air from her lungs as he swept her mouth open and touched his tongue to hers.
She moaned as sensation vibrated through her.
But she couldn’t lose her senses now. She pulled back. “Wait.”
“What about…” She tried to clear her mind. “What about your business?”
“That has been taken care of.”
Those words should have been a comfort, but they were like that bucket of water she’d tossed on Justice. No wonder he wished to wed her now.
* * *
Millie had stiffened in his arm.
He’d said something wrong. But what? “Millie,” he said, tightening his grip.
She turned her face away. “He gave you what you wanted. Didn’t he?”
And then he understood. He relaxed, nuzzling her neck as he spoke the next words. “No. I gave him every penny I have in this world and a share in the business for the next twenty years for the privilege of your hand.”
She melted. That’s the only way Patrick could describe it. Her body relaxed into his. “Patrick.”
He kissed her again. Soft and tender. “Millie,” he whispered against her lips. “I know you didn’t want to marry either, but I swear to you, I’ll make a good husband.”
The ring clattered to the floor as she brought both her hands to his face pulling him back to look in his eyes. “No, it’s not true. I do want to marry. You. Only you. I was only angry today because they forget to ask me what I wanted. They assume.”
He nodded, relief making his breath hiss from his lungs. That, he could understand. Their lips came together again, desperation making them cling together. Patrick was afraid he’d been so close to losing her again.
“Patrick.” She pulled back. “I need to tell you something else.”
He gave her a quick kiss, his insides clenching. “You can tell me anything.”
She swallowed. “It’s just that I…” she took a breath. “I love you.”
He turned to jelly and then he grinned. He likely looked like an idiot. “You love me?”
She nodded. “I do.”
He picked her up, spinning her about, his heart threatening to burst from his chest. “I love you, too.”
She looked at him then. “You do?”
“Of course I do.” He rubbed his nose against hers. “Millie, you’re strong and smart and so beautiful. How could a man resist?”
She slid her hands down his neck and over her shoulders. “Resist me? What woman could resist you? No man has ever been as strong and yet so understanding.”
He widened his stance, to lower her feet to the ground. Under his boot, he felt the ring. Gently, he set her down and then he let her go, reaching down to pick up the valuable. “We can’t break this.”
Millie waved her hand. “It was a gift from my father to my mother, back when he was attempting to impress her, I’d guess. So like him. A showy display of wealth with no kindness or understanding to actually prove his worth.”
“Still.” Patrick gently set the ring on the dressing table. “It’s worth something and someone in this family will surely need it.”
“That is an excellent point,” she said as she looked at it. “Any of my brothers may need help in the very near future. Though, I should likely make them apologize before I give it to them.”
He chuckled at that. “They’ll see your worth in time, Millie.” He grabbed her again, pulling her close. “I, for one, am so glad to be marrying a woman who can help me navigate my business. Please tell me you’ll help me keep the books and use your insight to make purchases. Though if you could stay out of trouble, that would help me out.”
She raised a brow, but her arms slid back around his neck. “I don’t go looking for trouble…”
He laughed again as he kissed her. This time, one of his hands slid down the front of her dress, palming her breast as they kissed again. She arched into the touch.
He felt her nipple tighten, as he slid his hand down to flick the sensitive skin with the pad of his thumb.
His Wallflower White: The Dark Duke’s Legacy Page 10