The Ugly Duckling Debutante_FINAL-3 by Rachel van Dyken Page B

misgivings.
    Then he heard someone clear their throat.

 
     
    Chapter Eight
     
    Lady Fenton walked out onto the patio between them. Nicholas thought it best not to say a word, though he was half-tempted to jump to his death when he saw his cousin’s face.
    “I can’t say I’m surprised,” Lady Fenton finally said.
    Nicholas’s emotions filled with panic, worry, fear, but mostly panic. As the ramifications of what had   taken place settled fully on his shoulders. Being alone with a woman on the balcony was always frowned upon, especially when said woman was an innocent like Sai. He knew his cousin wasn’t the nicest of the ton , nor was she immune to the gossip. Some would say she was always the one who knew first what everyone else found out second.
    She turned toward Nicholas. “I expect you to make this right.”
    Nicholas winced, when he saw Sai's face turn red with embarrassment. How dare she embarrass Sai for something she had no control over?
    “Sai did nothing. It was me.” He knew he sounded like a small child whining to his nanny.
    “Oh, I am aware of what Sai did and did not do. She could have easily pushed your advances away instead of fluttering her eyelashes at you. I must admit this is partially my fault. Sai has never been one to attract attention, you can see why.” She pointed in Sai's direction, making the crimson in her cheeks deeper than before. Was this woman mad? She was putting down the most beautiful woman at the ball as if she was someone’s ugly maid.
    Nicholas should have said something, but the shock rendered him mute yet again.
    “Unfortunately, the duke and I saw everything.” Her tone was menacing.
    Why was she up here with the duke in the first place? Nicholas wanted to ask, but he thought better of it. He didn’t want his life to end tonight because Lady Fenton had stabbed him with her fingernails.
    A nswering the unasked question, she turned to Sai. “He was following you to ask for your hand in marriage. Now it seems he thinks you will say no to someone such as he—especially with this rogue following you about like a lovesick puppy.” She gestured toward Nicholas. He felt like dirt.
    “Therefore, I have a plan.” She looked between the two of them and smiled ruefully. “The two of you will marry.” Nicholas’s mouth gaped open and Sai gasped. “It wasn’t the match I intended, nor am I the least bit happy she will have to settle for an earl rather than a duke, but I fear there is nothing even I can do. Half the ton will know of what took place tonight by the time you reach the ball again.”
    Sai's once crimson face was now paler than the moon.
    “You can’t force us to marry!” Nicholas spat, suddenly angry that he would be the reason such an opportunity would be taken from Sai.
    “Watch me,” Lady Fenton barked. “Three weeks." She held up three fingers to punctuate her announcement. "The banns will be read, and you will bear him children,” she said turning on Sai. Nicholas was powerless to shield her. “You will gain yourself a title, and you will put all of this sneaking around nonsense behind you.”
    “You can’t do that to her,” Nicholas flared desperately. “She has the right to choose whom she wants. At least speak to the duke—tell him I seduced her, that my reformation had been a ruse! I’ll do anything. Just don’t force us to marry on my account.” He felt like an absolute martyr. Sacrificing his own happiness in order to rescue Sai from the fate of marrying someone so unworthy as he. Sai appeared to be on the verge of sobbing. He couldn't let Lady Fenton do this to her.
     
    ***
     
    Sara didn’t know how long she could contain the tears which threatened to pour down her face at any moment. Not only was she utterly humiliated by her aunt's apprehending them, but the man who had held her so tenderly and passionately only moments ago was now refusing to marry her . Did he think she w as the ugliest woman on the planet ? G ranted