Read Online Fate Is A Stranger: Regency Romance by Gloria Gay - Free Book Online
Authors: Gloria Gay
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shaking.
"No."
"You believe that because my mother was a courtesan, I should be one too. Is that not your line of thought?"
"No…"
“I was forced into sexual slavery at the age of fourteen, your grace. I believe that in circles not as exalted as yours, that crime is called rape .”
"And now, I wish to return home."
"Please, let’s not part in this manner, Miss Durbin. I am just not good with words."
"I had no trouble interpreting you."
"I assure you the last thing I want is to hurt your feelings. I just have trouble conveying the great regard I have for you. I was certain that you had not understood the depth of my feelings for you. Can I believe you now understand that I have fallen in love with you and must arrange that we be together?"
"I believe that’s your understanding of it. However, you seem not to understand my view concerning your wishes, your grace."
"Will you reconsider now that I have explained?"
"Reconsider accepting your offer? That is, your offer of carte blanche ?"
"Yes, my dear."
"How many times must I reject your offer before you are convinced that I am in earnest? I believe I will say it again, in case you did not hear me well: I do not accept your offer . There, does that answer your question? It will not change, ever . My answer will be the same next week, next month and next year as it is today. And perhaps you will be convinced enough by it to cast your wares before a more willing purchaser."
And when the duke only stared at her, she added, emphasizing each word clearly: "And please don’t call me 'my dear', ever again. Should this request be breached I am afraid I will decline being in your company again. Are my words clear enough, your grace, or is further interpretation needed?"
"They are clear enough, Miss Durbin," he said curtly.
Most probably the Duke of Hawkinston had never been rejected in his life and had trouble dealing with it. Violet would have told him then that she would not attend his house party at Cynweir Castle, for his words to her had been insulting. His actions too, had been degrading. He would not have rushed head on in the way he had done had she belonged to society. She was to blame too, for succumbing initially but she could allow that she was extremely attracted to him and he had taken her by surprise.
She really would like nothing better than to toss his invitation at his head in response to the way he had treated her, like a common strumpet, which was exactly how he thought of her, no matter his professions of love. Lust disguised as love was what it was.
But then she realized that the soiree at the castle would help restore her father to his class. She would not allow the duke's obsessive pursuit of her prevent her from helping her father regain his status in society.
Besides, she was getting adept at rejecting his "delicate" propositions, so that they did not affect her as they had the first time. Granted, that because she had allowed herself to respond so passionately to his lovemaking, she would now be more vulnerable than ever and it would be even harder to stay away from him.
"I wish to return now, your grace," she said.
"Very well Miss Durbin."
In the carriage, after maneuvering his horses out of a difficult enclave, the duke turned once more to her. Violet pressed herself against the side of the carriage. She would not allow either her arm or her leg to press against him again.
"I would like to apologize, Miss Durbin," he said.
"Apology accepted," said Violet.
She was certain this would not be the last time the duke talked about his offer to her, however many apologies she received on the subject in the future. He was insensitive to the point of arrogance, yet there it was, she could not easily remove him from her mind, her heart and increasingly her very soul. What a wasted life hers would be without those moss-green eyes looking down mockingly at her. Yet succumbing was a dark tunnel she would not enter, no matter the promise of a
"No."
"You believe that because my mother was a courtesan, I should be one too. Is that not your line of thought?"
"No…"
“I was forced into sexual slavery at the age of fourteen, your grace. I believe that in circles not as exalted as yours, that crime is called rape .”
"And now, I wish to return home."
"Please, let’s not part in this manner, Miss Durbin. I am just not good with words."
"I had no trouble interpreting you."
"I assure you the last thing I want is to hurt your feelings. I just have trouble conveying the great regard I have for you. I was certain that you had not understood the depth of my feelings for you. Can I believe you now understand that I have fallen in love with you and must arrange that we be together?"
"I believe that’s your understanding of it. However, you seem not to understand my view concerning your wishes, your grace."
"Will you reconsider now that I have explained?"
"Reconsider accepting your offer? That is, your offer of carte blanche ?"
"Yes, my dear."
"How many times must I reject your offer before you are convinced that I am in earnest? I believe I will say it again, in case you did not hear me well: I do not accept your offer . There, does that answer your question? It will not change, ever . My answer will be the same next week, next month and next year as it is today. And perhaps you will be convinced enough by it to cast your wares before a more willing purchaser."
And when the duke only stared at her, she added, emphasizing each word clearly: "And please don’t call me 'my dear', ever again. Should this request be breached I am afraid I will decline being in your company again. Are my words clear enough, your grace, or is further interpretation needed?"
"They are clear enough, Miss Durbin," he said curtly.
Most probably the Duke of Hawkinston had never been rejected in his life and had trouble dealing with it. Violet would have told him then that she would not attend his house party at Cynweir Castle, for his words to her had been insulting. His actions too, had been degrading. He would not have rushed head on in the way he had done had she belonged to society. She was to blame too, for succumbing initially but she could allow that she was extremely attracted to him and he had taken her by surprise.
She really would like nothing better than to toss his invitation at his head in response to the way he had treated her, like a common strumpet, which was exactly how he thought of her, no matter his professions of love. Lust disguised as love was what it was.
But then she realized that the soiree at the castle would help restore her father to his class. She would not allow the duke's obsessive pursuit of her prevent her from helping her father regain his status in society.
Besides, she was getting adept at rejecting his "delicate" propositions, so that they did not affect her as they had the first time. Granted, that because she had allowed herself to respond so passionately to his lovemaking, she would now be more vulnerable than ever and it would be even harder to stay away from him.
"I wish to return now, your grace," she said.
"Very well Miss Durbin."
In the carriage, after maneuvering his horses out of a difficult enclave, the duke turned once more to her. Violet pressed herself against the side of the carriage. She would not allow either her arm or her leg to press against him again.
"I would like to apologize, Miss Durbin," he said.
"Apology accepted," said Violet.
She was certain this would not be the last time the duke talked about his offer to her, however many apologies she received on the subject in the future. He was insensitive to the point of arrogance, yet there it was, she could not easily remove him from her mind, her heart and increasingly her very soul. What a wasted life hers would be without those moss-green eyes looking down mockingly at her. Yet succumbing was a dark tunnel she would not enter, no matter the promise of a
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