I raised my skirts as I descended the stairs to join my parents and His Grace Read in the office. I entered with my head held high, ignoring my quivering chin.

“Good morning, Your Grace,” I curtsied in front him. He immediately raised from his chair, almost tripping over his freshly polished shoes as he did so.

“Thank you,” I forced my smile as he hastly pulled out a chair for me. “Can I ring for some tea? Or perhaps biscuits?” I smiled sweetly.

Out of my peripheral vision I saw my mother giving me an approving look. That is how a nice, well-mannered lady should behave.

Except I felt numb and empty, like a marionette hanging on invisible strings and left at the whim of the puppeteer.

“N-No, thank y-you,” Baxter gave me a pained look as if he sensed my resignation toward him. “Should w-we c-continue?”

Even with all the pleasantries, the atmosphere was melancholic, hanging thick and heavy between us.

“Of course, You Grace. What do you suggest? When and where should the wedding take place?” My father turned to face the Duke, while clasping his hands and placing them on the table.

“I-I recommend t-the St. M-Mary’s Whitechapel and a-after the c-ceremony a b-brunch could b-be held in m-my townhouse. D-Dining room is b-big enough to accommodate at least 50 p-people,” he looked at me for affirmation, but I kept my gaze fixed on the cup, pretending I was absorbed with my steaming black tea. He didn’t need to see the tears glistening in my eyes.

“That is an excellent idea, Your Grace!” My mother beamed, nudging me under the table.

“After a m-month or so w-we will retreat t-to my e-estate in Manchester.”

His unexpected announcement turned my blood cold.

“What?” My head snapped toward him with sheer dread.

“H-Honestly, I a-am tired of London’s p-pace of l-living.”

I could not control my overflowing emotions any longer. “What about Mama and Papa? And Jane? Or Edith?” I turned to my mother, quietly willing her to say something. What about Jared, I thought to myself.

“T-They can v-visit as m-much as t-they like. T-They are w-welcome anytime,” he said tiredly but in such a manner that left no room for conflict. He’s eyes didn’t shine as they usually do, instead they looked defeated and downright drained. The shadows under the eyelids showed he didn’t sleep any better that I did.

At least he didn’t cry himself to sleep.

“Of course,” I averted my gaze and glanced out of the window. I will be trapped with him in the middle of nowhere, without the company of my family and friends.

“T-The wedding w-will take p-place one w-week after t-today,” I heard him say.

“I agree, Your Grace. There is no need to delay the ceremony and risk spreading the rumors,” my father added.

“Alright.” Mother rose to her feet. “We should leave His Grace and Ashlyn to talk,” she pointedly looked at my father and discreetly nudged him out of the room.

I stepped toward the window, pretending I wasn’t aware of his presence behind me. Painful and heavy silence hung in the air, making the situation even more uncomfortable.

“L-Lady Ashlyn, I k-know this will be v-very difficult f-for you. B-But I can assure you I-I will make this easy for both o-of us. T-This… Arrangement w-will be beneficial to your f-family. And I-I need an h-heir.”

I discretely grimaced at the thought of sleeping with him. I was scared - or better – I was petrified of giving my body to him.

“I am a-aware this m-marriage is a necessity, but a-at least we could be friendly and p-polite t-toward each o-other,” he reasoned.

Of course, his statement was perfectly rational and practical.

“I agree, Your Grace,” I pivoted around to face him. “What is done is done,” I tried to stifle the creeping tremble in my tone, but failed magnificently.

“I-I am s-sorry; it is my f-fault. If it w-weren’t for m-me, you wouldn’t be m-missed at the b-ball and most c-certainly you w-wouldn’t be seen e-entering my h-house,” he said dejectedly.

“Nonsense, Your Grace! This is none of your fault!”

I was warned to stay away from him, yet I didn’t listen. I’ve made my own bed, so now I had to lay in it.

“S-So... The w-weather has c-cleared out,” he announced after another period of silence.

We were about to marry and he wanted to discuss the weather?

“It s-should be s-sunny today, w-with 75 d-degrees. A-Although n-nights will be q-quite chilly, I b-believe.”

This was not happening.

“Your Grace,” I cut him off. “I wish to deliver the news to Edith if you don’t mind. Can we discuss this matter later?”

I knew my mother would die from a heart attack if she found out I dismissed a Duke. However, she was not present and I honestly had enough of weather for a lifetime. Sadly, I will be hearing a lot more on the subject when him and I would be married.

“Of c-course. Can I o-offer y-you a r-ride?” He asked politely.

“Thank you, Your Grace, but Janine already hired a Hackney, so it won’t be necessary.” I felt bad when I noticed a glint of disappointment in his eyes, but one week of freedom was all I had left and I wasn’t keen on spending it on weather or horses.

I waited for his carriage to disappear out of my sight. I peeked over the window like a bandit in ambush.

“Now Janine!” I called out to my loyal helper. We rushed down the stairs and straight into the awaiting Hackney.

“Oh Miss!” She giggled like a misbehaving school girl. “You can’t avoid him forever!”

“No more weather and horses!” I hissed. “I will try my best to bear it when I marry the man.”

“I sympathize,” she puckered her lips and glanced down at her hands. “You will be dearly missed... Ashlyn.”

“Janine?” I turned to her. “I was thinking last night and I wanted to make a proposal.”

She tilted her head and curiously raised her eyes. “Anything Miss.”

“We’ve known each other for quite a while now and I must say the thought of not having you around pains me. So... I was wondering, if you’d like to go with me? It is your decision and I understand if you’d rather stay in London.”

Janine’s eyes immediately watered. She leaped at me and grasped my hands. “Of course, I will go with you! I cannot imagine being here without you, Miss!”

I wrapped my arms around her shoulders, fighting against the wave of tears. “Thank you, Janine. This means the world to me.”