My Dashing Duke

by Andresen, Tammy

  Except…

  The thought of those kissable lips of his on her sister gave rise to a sick feeling in Noelle’s gut. She took a shaky sip of her tea and dismissed it, forcing herself to focus on the knowledge that her sister could move on with her life, at last. She could become the mother she’d always wanted to be, and a wife. She’d have her own family and household. And perhaps then the rest of them could begin to heal and move on with life as well.

  Noelle’s heart skipped a beat.

  She wanted Lord Blitzencreek to marry Eve. She did!

  “Noelle, if you don’t want your gingerbread, I’ll have it.” Holly said from across the room.

  Noelle looked down at her tea. She’d been so lost in thought that it was nearly cold. “Sorry, Holly, but I do want it.” She didn’t want to give up her gingerbread. It would be too great of a loss. This piece of gingerbread was meant for her.

  In fact, she felt like weeping at the thought, which was, of course, ridiculous.

  She reached forward and served herself the aromatic confection unapologetically.

  “If you’ll be so kind as to excuse me.” Eve rose again and was edging toward the door. “It’s been quite the day and I have some letters to write.” Eve turned, her face set in worried lines. What was wrong with her sister?

  But she could barely give it a thought as Holly pounced on the opportunity to make herself absent as well. “I too, must excuse myself. I have several, er, dresses to mend.”

  Which left Noelle, Aunt Winifred, and Lord Blitzencreek alone in the parlor. Noelle sneaked a glance at him, and he was still watching her. He’d hardly noticed Eve at all.

  “I apologize for my nieces’ ill manners.”

  “We haven’t yet accustomed themselves to our new home.” Noelle defended them, despite the fact their behavior was odd.

  Aunt Winifred frowned. “Be that as it may.”

  And then Noelle sniffed. And Lord Blitzencreek sniffed.

  “Is that smoke? Is something burning?”

  Which sent Aunt Winifred flying off her chair. “My gingerbread! Cook is burning my cookies and I promised the ladies guild that I would bring enough for everyone. And my poor friend, Mr. Kringle. Dearest Noelle, will you be so kind as to see his lordship out? Mr. Kringle will be so very disappointed!” Her hand clutched at her chest as she scurried toward the door, made a vague wave, and disappeared, slamming it closed behind her.

  The silence in the room weighed so very heavy that Noelle was certain she could cut it in half with a knife.

  “About that boon...” Lord Blitzencreek rose from his seat but halted Noelle when she went to rise as well. “You are quite right. I could never forgive myself for breaking my word. I promised a boon and a boon you shall have. A gentleman has nothing, after all, if he has not his honor.”

  He crossed the room and stood towering above her.

  And then he dropped onto one knee.

  “You saved my life. What you ask for in return is nothing in comparison.” His gaze dropped as he took her hand in his, but then he looked up into her eyes again. “I curse far too often, I love to gamble, and although I usually come out ahead, I do risk more than I ought. I’m arrogant as hell, and lord knows I’m not immune to drink. I’ve also done my fair share of carousing. But if it’s what you want, I will give this a go. Lady Noelle…” His brows furrowed. “What is your middle name?”

  “Joy.” Noelle answered automatically. What was he doing? She could hardly think, what with him on one knee before her. Energy sparked where he held her hand and his leathery, masculine scent tantalized her senses.

  She watched his lips as he inhaled and then exhaled loudly, as though summoning courage.

  “My lady…Noelle Joy Bailey, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  Chapter Four

  The words had come from his mouth and he was in the position, down on one knee, but he had the feeling he was standing off to the side watching another man—a very foolish man—voice the damnable question.

  Not that it mattered. In a moment she’d say yes and he’d enter into this temporary state. Temporary because while he’d be married, he only intended to be an active husband as long as it took to produce a male heir. To expect anything more was an open invitation to disappointment.

  Following giving birth to their son, Noelle could direct her attentions to finding husbands for her sisters, baking gingerbread, rescuing other drunken men…

  He stopped, a wave of unexpected jealousy washing over him. The image of her leaning over another man, her body on his, made him clench with dissatisfaction.

  “I’m sorry?” she asked, her voice trembling.

  He forgot all about his thoughts as he focused on the woman in front of him, his body tensing in annoyance and a bit of trepidation. What the bloody hell? He’d given her exactly what she’d asked for. Why was she questioning him now? “Will you marry me?”

  She stared at him as though he’d suddenly sprouted a second head, her mouth parted, her jaw slack and her eyes wide. “Will I marry you?”

  As the hard wood was becoming somewhat uncomfortable against his knee, Dash rose and looked down at her. She appeared so small still sitting in that chair, her head tilting back, confusion in her eyes. He reached down a hand to pull her from her seat too. “I thought you understood.”

  She made to place her hand in his, pulled it back and then finally set her gloved fingers in his palm, rising from the chair. “I suppose I am at fault for not stating my request more clearly.”

  Well, that was bloody obvious. “Did you or did you not request a boon for saving my life?”

  She swallowed, giving a tiny nod. “I did.”

  A certain amount of satisfaction and relief made his breath hiss from his lungs. Now they were getting somewhere. “And was that boon an offer of marriage?”

  “It was,” she said, her voice dropping to a near whisper.

  “Then what exactly is the confusion?” He wanted to stomp his foot like a child or crush his top hat with his fist or pull her close and kiss some bloody sense into her.

  Her cheeks flushed the most lovely shade of pink. Like spring rose buds. His fist clenched and he closed his eyes to redirect the course of his thoughts. He was waxing poetic again.

  “I didn’t mean for your offer to be for me.”

  “What?” he took a half step back because he needed to better assess her, certain he’d misunderstood.

  She clasped her hands together, nibbling on that lush little lip again. “My eldest sister, Eve. She is a far more appropriate baroness and as the eldest, should marry first.”

  Most certainly, his mouth was ajar. Dash snapped his teeth shut as he thumped his hand on his outer thigh. “Eve?” Did he admire this woman’s misguided selflessness or throttle her for such foolishness? “You want me to marry your sister?”

  She gave an eager nod. “She’s quiet, subdued. She’ll be a lovely wife. And since our mother passed, she’s been so sad. Withdrawn. She needs to focus on the future—have a purpose. And marrying accomplishes just that. Someone needs to help her. My father certainly hasn’t—” She clamped her mouth shut and clasped her fingers together, as though she were praying. “My father is, well, he is utterly devastated from the loss of our mother. So much so that he’s retreated from us entirely. I can’t ask him for help or do anything at all. I stay up nights trying to come up with a plan…” Noelle stepped forward reaching for his hands. “Until I came across you.”

  The feel of her small fingers clasped in his larger hands pulled at his insides, tugged at that place deep inside that made him want to protect her. “So, you thought you’d use your boon to win your sister a husband?”

  She nodded again, her eyes pleading with him to understand.

  God protect him from the sensibilities of the feminine sex. She was a fecking angel, after all.

  He exhaled loudly, searching for the proper response to her request. He could see by the eager notch to her chin that she truly m
eant the words. And yet. “There are several issues with your plan.”

  “Such as?” she asked, tilting her head to the side.

  Without intending to, he pulled her closer. “First, I owe you the boon, not her. And second, you’ve already kissed me. I know for example that you taste of gingerbread and smell of Christmas. That is hardly appropriate information for a brother-in-law to have.”

  The pale pink that had colored her cheeks darkened into a much duskier rose. “Oh.”

  “In addition, I feel a certain amount of attraction to you, which would make the coupling required to produce an heir rather…enjoyable. Furthermore, as I mentioned earlier, I believe this type of…connection… is a necessary component of marriage.”

  “Oh,” she said again louder, her eyes growing round as she attempted to pull her hands away. He held them firm.

  “Wait,” he said in that low voice he sometimes used to calm a skittish horse or a crying child. He’d frightened her and she needed a moment to calm down.

  He watched her throat work as she swallowed again. “And you don’t feel that same attraction to Eve?”

  “I do not,” he answered, letting go of one of her hands to wrap it about her waist and draw her closer still. “But I feel it for you and I’m certain you feel it for me too.”

  Her chin lifted higher. “Why would you think that?”

  “Even now,” he gripped her wrist in his hand. “Your pulse flutters at my touch. But Eve,” he leaned down to whisper in her ear. “She hardly noticed I was here. She no more wants me than I want her.”

  Noelle frowned, her brow crinkling. “That is a fair point. I rather thought she’d be more interested in a baron but…” She held up a finger. “As I mentioned she has not been herself. Perhaps if you came back for dinner or the three of us were to go on a sleigh ride…”

  He shook his head. “It won’t matter. If I were to guess, she’s in love already.”

  Noelle gasped. “But that’s impossible. She’s my sister. I’d know.”

  He quirked a brow. “Would you? Perhaps you should ask her.”

  Noelle’s mouth opened and then closed again. “Before my mother got sick, my mother and father took Eve to London to make her come out. We all thought we’d eventually have a season. But that’s no matter. I suppose it’s possible that she met someone then?” Her words trailed off and Dash could almost see the wheels turning in her head.

  “Regardless, I’ll not marry your sister for her benefit and mine. But I do have a counteroffer for you.”

  She trembled a bit and without thinking, he pulled her closer. He hadn’t been lying. Creating an heir would be delightful with this woman. Strange, but he already experienced a twinge of disappointment that the activity would come to an end.

  “A counteroffer?”

  “Here is what I propose.” He stroked a thumb over her cheek. Her small frame fit against his so nicely, her curves just the right amount of softness. “You marry me, not Eve. I will get the heir that I need and in return, you will have the social status to see your sisters through a season so that Eve and even Holly can find husbands of their choosing.”

  Her lashes fluttered. “A marriage of convenience?” Her eyes pulled into sad lines. “I always thought I’d find love but I do see the merit…” Her voice trailed off.

  Dash nodded, relieved they were finally getting somewhere. He gave her a hopeful smile. “That’s right. Once a son is born, you’ll be free to do as you wish as will I. And in the meantime, I like you more than most women so our time together will be enjoyable enough.”

  “Enjoyable enough?” she asked, still giving him a sidelong glance as her hands fisted in his jacket. “That is your proposal? Enjoyable enough?”

  He dipped his thumb down over those supple lips. “You asked for a marriage proposal as a boon. I thought enjoyable was an improvement.”

  She let out a sigh, her warm breath tickling his skin. “So it is.” Her brows drew together. “Truly, I must think on all this.”

  That was not the answer he’d hoped to hear. Now that he’d chosen her, he was enamored with his plan. Choose a woman who agreed to a set arrangement. He’d fill his obligations with the least disturbance to his life. “It is a good offer.”

  “Perhaps.” She stepped back from his arms. “Which is why my answer is a definite maybe.”

  * * *

  “I hope you intend to make this quick. Not all of us spend our days sitting around feeling sorry for ourselves.” Holly slid a meaningful glance in Eve’s direction, which Eve mostly ignored, staring out the window, rather than answering.

  “I wish you wouldn’t be so mean,” Noelle met Holly’s green eyes, nearly the same as her own. “And besides, this is important.”

  “How important?”

  Noelle glanced between her two sisters, the difference between them startling. While Eve’s shoulders hunched, her stare far away, Holly fussed over herself in the mirror of Eve’s vanity.

  If Noelle was going to give Lord Blitzencreek an answer that evening, she needed to have a candid discussion with her sisters first.

  Drawing in a quick breath, the words tumbled from her mouth. “He wants to marry me.”

  “Who wants to marry you?” Eve twirled around to stare at her, finally joining the conversation.

  “Lord Blitzencracker?” Holly met her eyes in the mirror with raised brows.

  “Blitzencreek.” Noelle corrected her younger sister. At last, she had their attention.

  Eve moved away from the window, took Noelle by the hand, and set her down in the high-backed upholstered chair sitting by the bed. “You can’t marry him, Noelle, you’ve only just met him. A gentleman must court a lady before asking for her hand. He hasn’t even met Papa yet!”

  Noelle squirmed. “He promised me a boon and so I was hoping he would marry you, Eve, but he says that the two of you don’t have any…” She waved her hands in the air, searching for the proper word. “Butterflies for one another. But he thinks that he and I might…”

  “Why on earth would I want him to marry me?”

  “What do you mean, butterflies?” Holly interrupted.

  “Because you have been so sad.” Noelle ignored Holly for the moment. “I thought that if you had a husband—”

  “I can assure you, Noelle, that I don’t need my little sister to find a husband for me—that is if I wanted one. Which I do not. As far as I’m concerned, every last male in England can go to—” Eve clamped her mouth shut and folded her arms across her chest.” In that moment, Noelle saw more spark in her sister than she had in months.

  “You feel butterflies for Lord Blitzencrawler, Noelle?” Holly, who had knelt on the floor beside her, gave her other hand a tug. “And he thinks that the two of you might what, exactly?”

  “Enjoy marital relations.” Noelle answered abruptly before turning back to Eve. “I just wanted to do something that would help you.”

  “I don’t need your help! Or anyone else’s!” Eve dabbed a finger at the corner of her eye.

  “But you’ve not been yourself. And I don’t think it’s simply because of mother. There is something else.”

  Holly was staring at Eve as well by now. “When Mama died, you were a watering pot but after a while, it was even worse. You turned into…a shadow.”

  Eve looked back and forth between Noelle and Holly and then smiled sadly. “I have been rather gloomy, haven’t I?”

  Noelle nodded. “We miss you.”

  The three of them had gone far too long without talking. Of course, they spoke daily, but they hadn’t talked, in truth. Instead of comforting one another, they’d shut each other out. “You are our sister. We are sisters. If we don’t watch out for each other, who will?”

  Aunt Winifred was kind enough, of course, and she was their mother’s sister, but she was practically a stranger to them. And Father. Well. No use in hoping for much from him.

  “I’m sorry.” Eve’s eyes welled up, making them appear a brighter green th
an usual. “I truly am. I should have been doing my best to cheer the two of you and instead all I’ve done is feel sorry for myself. And now this…” She half sobbed, half laughed. “My little sister is trying to marry me off to a perfect stranger.”

  Looking up at them both, Holly sniffed, “I’m sorry too.”

  And in that moment, the squeezing Noelle had felt for months now eased a bit. “None of us has anything we need to apologize for,” she offered. “But we can’t keep ourselves locked in this grief.”

  “No, we cannot.” Eve agreed. “Even if father has.”

  Both Noelle and Holly nodded.

  And then Holly leaned forward. “Aunt Winifred isn’t grieving. She has a beau,” she whispered.

  “Of course, she’s grieving. Mother was her sister.” Eve protested.

  “It’s been a year now.” Holly frowned but then shrugged. “I saw her walking with Mr. Kringle before the storm yesterday. And just before they went their different ways, the jackanape pulled Aunt behind the tall evergreen and kissed her.”

  “On the mouth?” Noelle raised her brows, a giggle bubbling below the surface.

  “You were spying on them?”

  Holly nodded. “Of course. What else is there to do in such a tiny village?”

  Noelle could hardly argue with that.

  “She did seem awfully interested when Lord Blitzen—”

  “Creek,” Noelle supplied.

  “Yes, when Lord Blitzencreek mentioned his feelings on physical love.” Eve noted. “And what with all the pies and roasts and chickens…”

  But then Eve seemed to realize that this was not why Noelle had called this meeting.

  “What are your thoughts on this rather abrupt proposal?” Eve’s mouth tightened as she pinned her stare on Noelle.

  “It’s to be something of a marriage of convenience. I don’t love him or anything so absurd as all that.”

  “Don’t you want a love match, Noelle?” Holly asked, her voice rising to a higher pitch as though the idea made her sad.