Chapter 18

Chapter 18

In the aftermath of a kiss that could only be described as crude and savage, Chloe found herself listening to what might have been the least romantic proposal in the history of courtship. Her thoughts, however, drifted to Alice. How intense, she wondered, had been the gaze of the man who had asked her sister to elope?

“I am truly grateful that you have decided to accept my offer,” Chloe said.

She politely lowered her head, brushing aside her thoughts. Regardless of the Duke’s motivations for wishing to marry a Verdier, she could not deny that being chosen as his bride in Alice’s absence was not entirely undesirable. With the prospect of courtship with Count Cormier now out of the question, this was the only path to survival that she could see.

“You are grateful?” Damien raised an eyebrow.

“Yes,” Chloe said, meeting his gaze.

His expression appeared far from satisfied. “And how will you prove that?”