Fate Is A Stranger: Regency Romance Read Online Free Page B

desire your company in a more intimate relationship. And to be more explicit, as my mistress."
    "Of course," he added quickly, "I don't expect you to answer right away, if you feel you need time to consider it."
    "On the contrary, your grace," answered Violet, as she aptly suppressed the tremor in her voice, "I can give you my reply right now, in fact."
    "Before you answer," said the duke, "do consider that the society doors that are shut to you now would be instantly opened to you, as my companion."
    "I do consider that, your grace. I consider these doors that you mention to be opened wide for the mistress of the Duke of Hawkinston.
    I have been offered many enticements, your grace, in the hope of luring me to become this or that man's mistress—jewels, clothes, furniture—but this is the first time I have been lured by the opening of doors."
    "Don’t be too hasty with your answer, madam," said the duke. "Perhaps I have not expressed myself with the eloquence needed on an occasion such as this. I hope my clumsy attempt will not be held against me. I do want to emphasize the enormous advantages you would enjoy: access to a lavish apartment that would be for your very own use, extended visits to my several estates, balls at which you would reign as queen—"
    "Perhaps I have not expressed my response clear enough, your grace," interrupted Violet with a frown. "Let me make it clear then, that I have no interest in the position you are offering me."
    "Position? I did not say it was a 'position.'"
    "Really? Forgive me then for my assumption, for it sounded very much as though I were being interviewed for the 'position' of your mistress.”
    "You have a way with words, Miss Durbin, that in no way detracts from your personality; on the contrary, it enhances it and proves to be a part of the charm you have over men, but I plead you do not use it in this occasion in particular, for it casts a cynical tone to our discussion. I merely asked you to become my mistress. I do not recall saying it is in any way a 'position' for which you are applying."
    The answer is no , your grace."
    "Miss, Durbin," said the duke anxiously, "take care you are not hasty with your answer, for you may be passing up an opportunity that at the present moment you are unable to gage entirely. Perhaps at home, and having given it careful thought, you will come to realize the immense social and monetary advantages of it."
    "The answer is still no," Violet said firmly.
    "You can never obtain a better offer, Miss Durbin," said the duke. "Surely you don't think a gentleman will offer you marriage, do you?"
    "I fail to see why my marriage prospects or my lack of them should be any concern of yours. I have had no contact with you before this night. Who granted you the right, sir, to employ such familiarity in your tone when you address me?"
    The duke, who had dealt with coy mistresses before and who considered Violet's words to be only small obstructions placed there by artifice to get the best offer from him before acceding was undaunted.
    "As you must realize you will never get an offer of marriage from a gentleman, what then is your reason for refusing my offer, Miss Durbin?"
    "I need a reason to reject the Duke of Hawkinston's offer to become his mistress?"
    "Surely there must be one. There is always a reason for every human action."
    "Very well, then, your grace, I shall provide you with a reason. The reason is that you expected me to say yes."
    "And because you believe I expected you to say yes you are saying no—that doesn't make sense."
    "It makes sense to me."
    "So it's not because of virtue, it is merely because I expected you to say yes."
    "I am surprised at your words, your grace; I thought that virtue held no consideration in your proposition to me, nor did your words convey the idea that you consider me to have any."
    Violet felt sadness envelop her. This was a conversation he could only have with Violet and others of her "kind." He would never have