Chapter VII

Viscount Sinclair sat at his desk, his gaze fixed on the letter from his creditor. The ultimatum was clear: settle the debt or lose his title. The prospect of public disgrace weighed heavily on him, and he knew that his only hope lay in the Duke of Ashbourne, the man who had been reluctant to marry his daughter.

He crumpled the letter and took a deep breath, then made his way to the Duke's estate, his mind racing with thoughts of desperation and shame.

The Viscount was ushered into a richly appointed study where the Duke of Ashbourne awaited, his demeanor as composed and distant as ever. The Duke looked up from his desk as the Viscount entered.

"Viscount Sinclair," the Duke said, his tone neutral. "What brings you here today?"

Viscount Sinclair cleared his throat, his voice strained. "Your Grace, I must apologize for the intrusion. I come with a matter of great urgency."

The Duke gestured to a chair. "Please, sit."

The Viscount took a seat, his hands clenched tightly in his lap. "I have received a final demand from one of my creditors. If I do not repay the debt immediately, I will lose my title and face public disgrace."

The Duke's expression remained impassive. "I understand. And what is it you are asking of me?"

The Viscount leaned forward, his voice filled with desperation. "I am here to ask you to accept Adelaide's request to proceed with the marriage as soon as possible. I know that the marriage was arranged under difficult circumstances, but we are in dire need of your support."

The Duke's gaze was steady, his face a mask of cold consideration. "You are asking me to expedite the wedding, to solidify your position and provide a measure of financial security?"

Viscount Sinclair nodded, his eyes pleading. "Yes, Your Grace. If you could accept Adelaide's request and formalize the marriage, it would not only save us from further humiliation but also provide the stability we so desperately need."

The Duke's expression remained unchanged, though a flicker of contemplation crossed his features. "And what assurances can you offer me in return?"

The Viscount's voice was filled with urgency. "I offer my deepest gratitude and my commitment to ensure that the marriage is as beneficial as possible for you as well. I understand the gravity of this request and the impact it will have."

The Duke stood, his demeanor still distant but with a hint of thoughtful consideration. "I will need to reflect on your request. A decision of this nature requires careful consideration."

Viscount Sinclair rose, his face a mixture of relief and continued anxiety. "Thank you, Your Grace. I am deeply grateful for your understanding and consideration."

The Duke nodded. "I will provide you with my answer soon. In the meantime, I suggest you prepare for any outcome."

As the Viscount left the study, his heart was heavy with both hope and uncertainty. The fate of his family's future now rested in the hands of the Duke, and he could only wait for the outcome of this critical decision.

---

The Duke of Ashbourne sat behind his desk, the weight of the Viscount's plea heavy on his mind. The room was quiet, save for the soft ticking of the clock on the wall. He leaned back in his chair, staring at the ornate ceiling, lost in thought.

His mind replayed the Viscount's words, the urgency and desperation in his voice. The threat to strip the Viscount of his title was not just a matter of personal disgrace—it would also bring significant shame upon Adelaide. He had seen the strain in her eyes and understood the emotional toll that her father's financial troubles had taken on her.

The Duke's resolve hardened as he considered the implications of the Viscount's loss. Adelaide would be affected most profoundly by this turn of events. The Duke's sense of duty was clear: if marrying Adelaide could alleviate some of the suffering caused by her father's failures, he would do so, despite his personal reservations.

He rose from his desk and walked over to a small writing table where a stack of documents lay. His decision was made, and he needed to act swiftly. He called for Clement, a trusted advisor who had served him faithfully for many years.

Clement entered the room with his usual efficient demeanor. "Your Grace?"

The Duke looked up, his expression resolute. "Clement, I have made a decision regarding the marriage with Miss Sinclair. We must proceed with it as soon as possible."

Clement's brow furrowed slightly, but he nodded. "Of course, Your Grace. What do you need me to do?"

The Duke took a deep breath, his voice steady. "I need you to apply for a special license. Ensure that it is processed as swiftly as possible. The urgency of the matter cannot be overstated."

Clement's eyes widened slightly in understanding. "I will attend to it immediately, Your Grace."

The Duke's gaze softened just a fraction, though his demeanor remained firm. "Thank you, Clement. I trust you will handle this with the utmost priority."

Clement bowed. "I shall see to it at once."

As Clement left to carry out his instructions, the Duke stood by the window, looking out at the sprawling estate. The decision to marry Adelaide, though driven by duty rather than affection, was the right course of action to prevent further shame and hardship for her and her family.

The Duke's mind was made up, and he was prepared to fulfill his obligations. The special license would be procured, and the marriage would proceed with all due haste. This was his duty, and he would see it through with the same sense of responsibility that had always guided him.

---

The Duke of Ashbourne sat alone in his study, the weight of his decision to expedite the marriage to Adelaide pressing heavily upon him. As he stood by the window, gazing out at the estate, his thoughts drifted back to a time long past.

He moved to a small side table and poured himself a generous measure of whiskey. He took a deep sip, hoping the warmth might numb the ache inside him. But instead, the alcohol stirred memories he had buried deep.

~~

Alexandra, his former fiancée. She was charming and captivating, and he had been hopeful for a future filled with happiness. His trust in her was absolute, but that trust was shattered by a betrayal he could scarcely imagine.

Alexandra, it turned out, had been secretly collaborating with her brother, a colonel in the French army. While the Duke was away on a trip to Hastings, Alexandra and her brother orchestrated a plan to capture the Duke's family. They sought to leverage the Duke's absence to seize control and gain power, betraying him in the most treacherous manner.

^^

The Duke confronted Alexandra in a dimly lit room, his face a mask of disbelief and agony. "How could you do this? How could you betray me so?"

Alexandra's demeanor was cold and unrepentant. "It was a means to an end, Luca. My brother and I saw an opportunity to gain control, and we took it. Your family's downfall was a necessary step."

The Duke's eyes were filled with pain. "You knew how much my family meant to me. You knew the risks."

Alexandra's gaze was steely. "It was never about your family, Luca. It was about power and survival. You were merely a pawn."

~~

The Duke's hand shook as he set the bottle down, his emotions raw and exposed. The whiskey had done little to dull the pain of his past; instead, it had brought it all back with a force that was almost unbearable. His fists clenched as he struggled to control his breathing.

In a surge of frustration and sorrow, he grabbed the bottle and hurled it against the wall. The glass shattered, the whiskey spilling out like the remnants of his shattered trust and broken dreams.

As the shards of glass scattered across the floor, the Duke sank to his knees, tears streaming down his face. The memories of Alexandra's betrayal—her betrayal in collusion with her brother to capture his family—seared through him with fresh intensity. He cried out, his anguish echoing in the silent room.

As the Duke's tears finally subsided, he sat among the broken glass and spilled whiskey, his breaths ragged and uneven. The pain of his past was still a heavy burden, but he knew he had to face the future. His decision to marry Adelaide was driven by a sense of duty and responsibility, but the scars of betrayal would forever linger, a reminder of the cost of misplaced trust and the fragility of human connections.

He slowly rose, his resolve firming as he prepared to confront the challenges ahead. Despite the echoes of his past pain, he was determined to move forward with honor, even if it meant facing his duties with a heart still scarred by betrayal.