Chapter 4 – Part 9

“That means I won’t be calling on you for a while.”

Marcus explained, confirming her suspicions. Liese knew what that meant: He wouldn’t call her until she was in a condition to fulfill her role as a presentable partner.

But if she didn’t…

‘I can’t pay my grandfather’s hospital bills.’

She had hospitalized her grandfather, counting on the money she would receive from the Duke. Given the prognosis, she didn’t know how long the treatment would be, so she was eager for his call. Or, more precisely, the bundle of money she’d receive for meeting with him.

“Take it easy; I’ll pick you up after the banquet.”

Marcus heaved himself up from the couch and turned around without hesitation. Looking up at his broad back, Liese reached out without thinking and grabbed his wrist.

Her natural strength was not enough to stop the tall, strong man, but Marcus stopped nonetheless. He looked down at Liese, not surprised. As if he’d seen this coming.

“What are you doing?”

“Duke, I’m….”

Liese sucked in a breath. Her heart suddenly pounded in her chest, making her dizzy. Marcus clicked his tongue in disapproval.

‘I can’t pay my grandfather’s hospital bills.’

“I’ll be happy to do that, but before I do, I need you to listen to me for a moment.”

Liese gripped his thick-boned wrist like a sinewy cord and forced herself to breathe. The way his gaze fell over the crown of her head gave her an odd sense of foreboding. After a moment, she looked up again. Her face was unmistakably desperate.

“The bruises can be covered up with a revealing dress, and I’ll make sure to hide the wound on my forehead completely so that no one finds out.”

“So.”

“Please let me do what I’m supposed to do, as originally planned. I will go out and accompany the Duke wherever he calls me.”

“Why should I grant your request? ”

He asked, his voice low despite the obvious. Liese stomped down the rising tears.

“That was my deal with the Duke. Even before the social season comes, he told me to go out to various places and make a mark. If I show up later, everyone will suspect that I am a fake put up by the Duke to avoid marriage.”

“You know better than that, and look at you, all bruised and battered.”

“There’s nothing more I can say except that I’m sorry, and I hope you’ll give me one more chance….”

“Okay. I’ll give you a chance, and we’ll do what we planned.”

The casual acceptance made her uneasy again. Sarcasm flashed across Marcus’s face.

“Then what can you give me? ”

The wrist she thought she was sure she had a grip on snapped lightly, and his hand dug in. He slipped it through Liese’s fingers and gripped it tightly.

“Answer me, Lieselote. What can you give me?”

“I… I don’t have anything great enough to offer the Duke.”

“I’m sure you have something, but don’t be so quick to judge.”

She didn’t even want to guess what he was hoping for. Liese desperately thought of the most prized treasures in her bedroom. A tattered handkerchief, a music box, a lace-trimmed straw hat, and an old pistol her grandfather had given her, none of which would satisfy the Duke.

“Truly,” she said, “whatever I have is not to your liking.”

“So you expect me to just pander to you when all you know how to do is make mistakes?”

“It’s not what I mean….”

“You want to know how far I’m willing to go to do something unworthy of you?”

Cornered, Liese was at a loss for words as a strong force clamped down on her hand as if to force her to answer. Whether it was the pain of her grip or her helplessness, transparent tears filled her eyes. Every word from such a beautiful man was a sharp thorn in her side.

Watching her fidget and holding back her tears, Marcus lifted the corners of his mouth.

“I’ll give you a chance.”

Liese asked quietly, a teardrop hanging from her eyelashes.

“What do you want me to do?”

“That you’re quick on your feet.”

He laughed cruelly.

“For my kindness, I want you to bring me something I’ll like. Have it ready by the time you come for your checkup, and if I like it, we’ll go ahead with the deal as originally planned.”

As if to echo Liese’s sentiments, a steadily increasing rain pounded against the glass. Seeing her struggle to find her voice, Marcus pulled their intertwined hands apart and locked eyes.

“Do you understand?”

“I understand enough.”

“Now you behave yourself, and don’t even think about leaving the common room until I get back.”

The hand that seemed like it would never let go finally loosened. Marcus adjusted his tie and turned to walk away.

“Your pay for today is in your coat pocket.”

The door clicked shut behind him as he left with a snappy remark.

Liese rummaged through the pockets of the duke’s clothes that covered her legs. A thick envelope containing a bunch of bills was held in her hand. That relieved Liese the most and made her miserable at the same time.

Thank goodness the Duke was gone so she could lower her gaze. If she continued to stare up at the man who stood before her, she was sure tears would flood her eyes.