“Youwantedto marry St. Ives?”
“Of course not. My reasons have nothing to do with the duke himself.”
“I am confused. The reason you married him has nothing to do with him?”
“Yes,” Willow said with a slow nod, her heart jumping into her throat.
“But the man is a beast,” Holly pointed out, a worried look flittering across her face.
“He is something, all right,” Willow murmured, giving her a soft, reassuring smile. And while it was certainly an infuriating something most of the time, Willow also had to admit that the “something” also included a peculiar presence. An aura surrounded the duke that Willow felt drawn to—and she was certainly attracted to the man given their most recent interaction.
But she couldn’t admit any of this to her sister. Holly had been in love with St. Ives mere days ago.
“I believe what your sister is saying, Miss Middleton,” Warton spoke up, his eyes resting on Holly, “is that she wished to marry and took advantage of an available groom.”
Holly’s gaze flew to Willow. “Is that true?”
Willow nodded, relieved that Warton had so easily come to the right conclusion. She gave her sister a sheepish smile. “But please know I never intended on stealing your betrothed before that moment.”
“I suppose that is a comforting thought,” Holly said, her eyes sparkling. Then just as suddenly, her amusement faded. “Has St. Ives spoken to father yet?”
Willow nodded, allowing Holly to tug her to the sofa.
“So, does father mean to lock me away in a tower or perhaps, dare I ask, a dungeon?”
It would be just like her sister to find that thought most intriguing! “I’m afraid not. The duke has requested father’s permission to establish a betrothal agreement for you and his brother, Lord Jonathan Griffin.”
“I must not have heard you correctly, Willow, because it sounded like you said the duke wants me to marry hisbrother?”
Willow gave her a solemn look.
“I cannot marry your brother-in-law, I do not love him!”
“Regardless of anyone’s feelings, St. Ives has men searching every inch of the city. He suspects, or at least I think he does, that you might return to Derbyshire. He has already dispatched men there, as well.”
“But why? Lord Jonathan is on tour. He even missed the wedding.”
“He is expected back any day now, I’m afraid.”
“Surely Lord Jonathan will not stand for this?”
“I thought so as well, but what if the duke threatened to cut his brother off?”
“He could marry an heiress.”
“It will still require him to marry. So why not marry you and keep his brother happy?”
“Has father agreed to this arrangement?”
“Not as of yet.”
“Well, then, St. Ives must have demanded father agree, and Lord knows father hates to be told what to do.”
“No man does,” Warton muttered from behind them.
Holly let out a small sigh. “Is it not a crime to wed a relation by marriage?” she asked.
“Unfortunately not,” Willow said. It would have made things much easier.
