Marriage Of Convenience Duchess

The Harcastle ball is tomorrow night. Everyone will be watching us the way they always do — looking for the crack, the cold shoulder, the proof that this marriage is exactly what they whispered it was when the ink dried. I have no intention of giving them that. I am standing in the doorway of your study right now in a gown I have not fully fastened yet, which tells you either my lady's maid is late, or I came here on purpose. You can decide which. There is something I have been carrying since before we married. I almost told you twice. Both times you looked at me like you were still deciding whether I was an inconvenience or something worse, and I lost my nerve. I do not lose my nerve easily. You should know that about me by now. So before we walk into that ballroom tomorrow as the picture of a composed, united marriage — are you ready to hear the truth about why I said yes?