by Emily Ward
Copyright 2019 by (Emily Ward) - All rights reserved. In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. Respective authors own all copyrights not held by the publisher.
The Duke’s Scandalous Offer
By: Emily Ward
The Duke’s Scandalous Offer
Chapter 1
He stared across the table at the empty wall. The dining room was mostly clear except for his older brother and father. His fingers idly tapped on the table as he ignored the plate in front of him.
“Liam.” The voice seemed to come out of nowhere.
“Hmmm?” The young man looked up.
“You should probably stay awake. Your brother’s new bride is due at any time now.”
Liam shook his head with a soft smile. “Apparently this is all worth it for him, isn’t it?”
“You keep insisting to talk about me like I’m not even in the room.” Liam’s brother spoke up. “As if you’re the older brother.”
“No, I’m quite happy being the younger brother. Getting married off so that he can secure the family line. Nonsense, all of it.” Liam smirked.
“We all can’t be confirmed bachelors like you, brother. Some of us are eager to carry on the family name.” Reginald grinned at the younger man.
Liam was used to being the younger brother. The one that held the tail end of the Fortescue fortune and almost none of the actual responsibilities. He wasn’t going to inherit, therefore it mattered less how much of his time he spent in gambling dens or various businesses that his father would never have been seen in. This wasn’t as much of an insult as Reginald thought it was, but he was willing to listen to it so that his brother would feel like he got one up on the prodigal son of the family. “There’s nothing wrong with a confirmed bachelor.”
“Nothing wrong for a second son to be a confirmed bachelor.” The honorable Duke Fortescue, father of both Liam and Reginald spoke up. “My younger brother had an eye for freedom too.”
“That’s what I heard.” Reginald nodded.
“He means that you’ve told the stories many times, Father.” Liam gave a rakish smirk at the man at the head of the table. He was a dark-haired man, strongly built and had a reputation as a bit of a playboy around the upper crust of society.
It meant that Liam carried a smirk that everyone seemed to recognize as a sign that he was up to absolutely no good.
His father was no different. The older man had grey on his temples, his face a weathered version of the one that he shared with both of his sons. There was no denying that the family was related to the strong jaw and steel grey eyes that the men shared.
They all possessed the same handsome features that had charmed many young ladies, even if Liam was the only one that seemed to keep the company of those ladies.
Reginald was less fit than his younger brother, less work with the blade and more with the books. But that suited Liam just fine. He wasn’t one to particularly enjoy paperwork.
“That doesn’t make them less true. Even he settled down eventually. And you’ll find yourself in the same position someday.”
“I fail to see how our esteemed grandfather refusing to finance his life anymore unless he settled down as him choosing to do so.”
“There was still a choice there.” The older man intoned.
“He could have lived in poverty.” Reginald countered. “Like our dear uncle almost ended up. A pauper, living on the streets.”
“No one in their right mind would ever want that. Someone given the choice will obviously make the right one.” His father chuckled softly under his breath.
“I believe we’re not at that point yet, son.” The duke said to his oldest boy.
Liam smirked slightly as his brother backpedaled. “I wasn’t saying that you should do it to him.”
“Your uncle had a few more bad habits than your brother does. At least Liam cares about discretion and makes an effort not to leave young women in compromising positions.”
“That is indeed something I do, but there’s nothing wrong with enjoying some time with the fairer sex,” Liam added to the conversation.
“There’s nothing wrong with that of course unless that’s all you think about. Then it’s a case of getting the mind to focus on more important things.”
“How do you propose one does that?”
“A simple reminder of what’s important. Though sometimes it needs to be a bit more jarring. Such as what our grandfather did to our father’s brother.” Reginald raised his wine glass to his brother in a motion of triumph.
It was the start of another verbal spar. His family had decided long ago that they were going to tame Liam. But Liam had resisted every effort. His brother wasn’t going to win this fight. His voice became dry and unamused. “Is this another threat?” He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “We have done this before, and I know that.”
“Ah, we have, but someday, perhaps, you’ll learn.”
“And meet a woman that captures my heart, I suppose.” Liam’s voice regained the natural laughter that normally hid behind his words.
“Don’t underestimate that happening.” His father warned.
“I’m not the type to simply fall for a girl.” Liam shook his head. “If I marry it will be with my head and not my heart.”
“What does your head tell you about your prospects?” His brother teased.
Liam smiled softly. “It tells me exactly what I need to know. Which is that I have not found the most advantageous match for me. For right now, simply dabbling in diplomacy is helping me much more.”
“You call philandering diplomacy?”
“Of course, I do. Because that’s what it is. I’ve made quite a few friends that I can call on for various prospects.”
“And the fact that many of these prospects that you nearly get caught in compromising positions yet.”
“I’ve yet to actually get caught.” Liam stood proud of that fact. “Because I’m not doing anything wrong.”
“You keep saying that, but I doubt that’s anything close to the truth.”
“Bickering gets you two nowhere.” The duke intoned carefully. “You should be more cautious of your words to each other. You may find yourselves in more trouble than it’s worth. With nothing but each other to count on.”
“I’m just teasing him a bit.” Reginald turned back to his father.
“That was cryptic. Was there a reason for it?”
“None specific, but I’ve seen the winds change direction rapidly.” The duke was speaking carefully.
“I feel as if you know something that I don’t.”
“Fate is a fickle mistress. Let’s not speak of this any longer.”
Liam frowned. It seemed like an odd thing to say. And the explanation was lacking. Or rather it was non-existent. But there was worry on his father’s face. He couldn’t help but wonder if there was something going on.
“Just forget about it, Liam.” Reginald butted in.
“Of course. It was rude of me to push the subject.” Liam sipped his wine carefully, wondering which of the servants he would ask about it later.
The subject changed quickly as a servant arrived. “The lady has arrived.”
“Oh look, your doom is here.” Liam joked.
“I wouldn’t call her my doom.”
“A young lady of this caliber could never be considered someone’s doom, Liam.” His father warned him.
There was definitely a threat in that tone. He chose to ignore it.
“I would. You’re walking into your own grave.”
“Marriage is not a grave.” Reginald shook his head.
“My marriage to your mother is the reason you even exist, young man. I wouldn’t think so badly about it.” Duke Fortescue had a deep frown on his face. It caused the age lines to become more prevalent.
Reginald butted into the conversation. “Do you mind? I’d prefer not to make a bad impression.”
“I take it she’s never heard of us?”
“Show her in.” Duke Fortescue waved vaguely in the direction of the door, cutting off the conversation. Liam was fine with that. Arguing with his brother was an exercise in futility. “Clear the plates first. We’ll greet her escort here.”
“Of course, sire.” The servants moved in almost immediately, clearing the dining table.
Liam managed to pick up his glass of wine off the tray of a maid before she could take it away. He moved more towards the back of the room and simply waited.
“Must you have wine here for this?” Reginald rolled his eyes in disgust. “We’re meeting with a lady.”
“Wine brings spice to terribly boring meetings that have no real purpose but politics.”
“You know, you would be quite good at politicking if you ever tried, boy.” The duke intoned. “I’m told you can be quite charming when you choose to be.”
“I can be, and part of my natural charm is my ability to not be all stuffy and pompous.”
“I’d say you’re quite capable of being pompous, younger brother.”
Liam grinned widely. His grin was a little crooked. “Of course, I’m the pompous one.”
“Yes, you are.”
Liam chuckled softly. “I would think that you’ve quite a stuffed shirt there.”
“You’re really going to insult me?”
“You decided that it was a wise course of action. I’m merely following suit. Unless you believe that you can’t handle a battle of wits with your younger brother.”
“I would gladly join one if you actually had one about you.”
Liam snorted. “I thought we’re meeting your future wife, not going on about my perceived shortcomings.” Liam sipped the wine from his glass with that same smirk on his face. It was the look that drew concern from the men around him. They must have thought that Liam had something on his mind.
But there wasn’t much time for them to wonder because the butler walked into the room. “Presenting the Lady Clara Highland.”
Attention snapped to the beautiful woman at the door. And it was no surprise. The woman was one of the most beautiful that he had ever seen. Liam knew Clara before the young woman blossomed.
And now she caught his attention wholeheartedly. She had become a beautiful young woman. More than beautiful. It was like the world had stopped turning and nobody could help but stare at the blond hair and curves.
The wine glass shattered on the ground.
This snapped the Duke’s father out of his stupor and the older man stepped up with a smile. “Clara, it’s so nice to see you again.”
“Yes.” She blushed. “My father had retired to the country estate when his health declined. We all joined them.”
“Out of London for nearly five years. You’ve grown to be quite the young woman.” The duke grinned at her. “A handsome woman.”
“Thank you, sir.” She bowed her head slightly.
Reginald had a smile on his face. “You have truly become a lovely young woman.”
“Thank you again, sir.”
“Reginald would be fine, Clara. We’re to be married soon.” He stepped up to her and took her hand.
Liam had the sudden urge to push his brother out of the way as Reginald kissed Clara Highland’s hand.
He wouldn’t let himself do it, freezing in his spot until his father nudged him. “Did you miss your old friend?”
“I haven’t seen her in years.”
“I know that.” Duke Fortescue nodded. “I tried to talk to you about it, but you had no interest in the meetings.”
“It’s no trouble at all.”
His father nodded, but it was painfully clear that it was a lie. Liam didn’t know what to say. How to handle this.
Instead, he stared as Reginald spoke quietly to Clara, discussing the impending wedding between the pair. He didn’t hear what was being said but noticed that Clara was watching him and not her fiancé.
But Liam could see something else behind those eyes, that same fire that they had when they were children. Behind her eyes was hatred of the life that she was supposed to live. The one that she expected to live.
It sent a shiver down his spine. There was a time he thought she would be the one he would marry, but that was years before. And she was the eldest daughter, she would be married to someone who would help her family out. That meant it would be a political match, not a match for love.
So, he had put those thoughts aside. But here she was.
And he couldn’t tear his eyes off of the woman.
But she wasn’t here to be his wife. Or really anything to him. She was here to celebrate an engagement with his brother, not with him. And for some reason that hurt. A lot.
Chapter Two
Clara paced her elegantly appointed room. She barely noticed the dark blue velvet on the bed and curtains. She ignored the servants as they offered to bring her anything that she needed. She just wanted time to think. This wasn’t exactly something that she wanted. But it was her duty to help her family out.
She didn’t want to admit that their fortunes had faded, making it so that a good match was her only hope to help them maintain status. The status of their lives had been carefully hidden from society.
And now she was going to marry Reginald Fortescue. The man was a pompous ass that didn’t deserve to spend time in the same room as her. “All of you can leave.” She waved off the servants. “I want to be alone for a while.”
“Are you sure, madame?”
“Yes, quite sure.” She nods. “I apologize. I must prepare for tomorrow.” She kept the smile on her face in the view of the servant there. She didn’t want to show how her nerves were frayed. Appearance was everything in the world that she lived in. Nothing could risk this union. She wouldn’t allow it to happen.
“I’m supposed to attend to you if you need anything.”
“I’ll be going to sleep. I don’t need anything.” She offered a kind smile. “You should get some rest as well.”
“You’re very kind, thank you, madam.” The maid offered a bow. “Would you like me to send the maid that attended you here up to your room?”
“No thank you.” She forced herself to smile kindly. “I’ll just be resting. I can handle everything that I need on my own now.”
“Of course.” The servant paused.
“Yes?”
“Would you like some tea or something light to eat before I leave you for the night?”
“No thank you.” She shook her head.
The young woman bowed softly before making her way out of the room.
Clara sighed heavily as the servant left her alone in the room. But she wasn’t alone for long. The knocking on her window started soon after. Her head snapped over.
“Liam.” She made her way over, tossing open the window. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to see you.”
“I can tell that. We’re on the third story.”
He smirked as he scrambled into the room. “I have my ways.”
“You’re not supposed to be here.”
“Who’s going to know? You sent the servants away.”
“Exactly how long have you been out there, listening to me?”
“Long enough to know that you were alone.” He sat down in the chair by the bed. “I wasn’t expecting you.”
“This deal has been in the works for quite a while, Liam. I’m sure they must have told you somethi
ng about it.”
“Do you honestly believe I’m going to pay attention to that. I was just grateful it wasn’t me as a part of this deal.”
“No, instead it’s your painfully dull older brother.”
He laughed.
“Be quiet.” She hissed. “Someone could hear you.”
He sat up with a sparkle in his eye. “Poor Clara. Marrying a man like Reginald. Never thought you would end up there, but rather the wife of a traveling knight and enjoying life traveling the countryside.”
“Sadly, that’s not my lot in life.”
“It looks that way. It’s a shame, though, Clara.”
“Did you just come here to taunt me? Because if that’s the case you can just leave.”
“Do you really think I would just come here to taunt you?”
“I think that’s exactly why you would come here.” She snorted. She remembered what Liam was like as a younger man. He could never take anything seriously, but she had still followed him around like a lovesick school girl. And she regretted it now because he seemed to be just as cocky and arrogant as he was before. “You love taunting people.”
“I would like to think I’m a halfway decent man. Or at least edging just on this side of decent.”
“You really think that?”
“I like to, of course. Who doesn’t?”
“Why are you here then?”
“To find out if this is what you really want.” He shrugged non-committedly.
“Does that matter? It’s a political marriage. I don’t think he’ll particularly want much to do with me other than the alliance I bring.”
He frowned. “I always pictured you running off to marry for love someday.”
She smiled softly. “I used to think that too, then I got this damned sense of duty.”
“There’s nothing wrong with a sense of duty.” His voice took a comforting tone.
“You say that then you can marry your older brother.”
He laughed. “I’m not sure that would meet with approval from anyone.”
She shook her head with a smile on her lips. “It’s been a long time, but your sense of humor hasn’t changed at all.”
“And you still have that mouth on you too. Good to see that you didn’t lose that at least.” His smirk faded into an honest smile for a moment. It was so fast that she thought that maybe it was her mind playing tricks on her.