Duchess by Chance Read Online Free PDF Page B

brother and Betsy here.
    “Give me the name of the servant and I will see it done.”
    “And my brother?” Eva faced him again.
    “I know his name and will try to have him brought here to you. However, it may not be as easy because he is still under your father’s care.”
    She pulled a piece of paper from her pocket and handed it to him. He flipped it open and scanned the contents.  
    “Betsy Mullholland is the name of the servant and this is your father’s address?”  
    “Yes.”
    “And it is important to have both her and your brother here with you?” he asked softly.
    “Yes, your Grace.”
    “I will make sure the request is made before I leave tomorrow.”
    “Thank you, your Grace. I fear my father will not care for them now I am gone.” Eva felt an explanation was needed.
    “I am to leave soon, however my steward will call upon you in two days’ time, Duchess. He will always be at your service, should you require anything, and will explain the accounts I have set up for you that will look after all your needs.”
    “Thank you, your Grace,” Eva quickly sank into a curtsy, then turned and walked toward the door. It was as she opened it that something inside her urged her to speak. “I wish you good health and happiness.”
    Sleep did not come easy that night for Eva and it was just as she was drifting off that she heard the sound of her bedroom door closing.    
    “Who is there?”
    “It is your husband, Duchess.”
    “Is something wrong?” Eva pulled the covers aside and swung her feet out of bed. Surely something must be terribly wrong if he was forced to come into her room.
    “Nothing is wrong. I have come to consummate our marriage.”  
    Eva was shocked at the cold, hard words and could not believe what she had heard. “You said to my father you would not c-consummate the marriage, your Grace - that you do not want an heir.” Eva clutched her chest where her heart was thumping with painful ferocity.  
    “I may have said that to your father, yet because it is stipulated in the vow I always intended to do this as my honor is at stake.”  
    Eva felt panic claw at her as he moved closer to where she sat on the edge of the bed.
    “I will make it as painless as I can, Duchess.”
    “I do not want you to…not like this!” Eva said, realizing she meant every word. Yes, she wanted a child, but not one conceived in anger. Jumping to her feet, she ran for the door but did not get far as the duke merely stretched out one arm as she raced past him, his fingers caught her and hauled her to his side.
    “This must be done,” he then muttered, wrapping his arms around her as she began to struggle.
    “Why! Who will know?”
    “I will know.” He pulled her into his chest and held her tight. “I must do this!” he rasped, “I must honor the vow my father made.”
    “P-please don’t,” she sobbed, struggling to break free from his hold. “Yes, I long for a child but not like this, not one conceived through pain and rage.”
    “Many children are conceived in such a way.” His grip tightened as she renewed her struggles. Her efforts proved hopeless, however, against a man whose strength was twice hers. “You will harm only yourself if you do not stop this foolish struggling.”
    “Please let me go.”  
    “I cannot.”  
    “Wh-why are you loyal to a man who cared so little for you?” she cried, still trying to push herself away from him. She knew he was naked beneath his robe; she felt the heat from his body pressed against her own. She took a deep breath, and her senses were instantly filled with his scent. Fear gripped her as Eva realized that once again she was at a man’s mercy. “I-I thought you were different.”
    “I am,” he said softly. Eva stiffened as he ran a hand down her spine. His fingers felt warm through the material of her nightdress. “But it is a matter of honor.”
    She knew further resistance was futile; the strength seeped from her body and Eva slumped