"WHAT?!"
She screamed, gripping the desk tightly as the household likely heard her terrified outburst. "What do you mean? a child?!"
He spoke calmly, his gentle tone laced with malice. "Yes, exactly what you heard. I want you to carry my child."
Amber shook my head, her voice barely above a whisper. "No... I won't do it."
"Are you refusing the terms of my contract?" he asked, as though surprised and annoyed.
Why would he be so surprised after stating such a despicable condition? She could live with the others, but consummating a marriage and having a child is totally out of the question. It was absurd, considering her crime, she thought.
"Why wouldn't I? For heaven's sake, this is completely insane, considering the nature of my crime. Mind you, I didn't even succeed in taking your stupid heirloom!"
He blinked at her, then, within a flash instant, his eyes darkened with murderous and devilish intent. "I can make life very difficult for you."
"Are you threatening me?" Amber matched his tone with an even more menacing tone, her hands curling into fists. An invisible challenge hung in the air, a dare.
He glowered at her with piercing eyes, fury masked in his honey-brown pupils, hooded by thick, dark lashes.
"If you think that's me threatening you, then hear this: I can make your existence far more grave than you can possibly imagine. You would beg me for death, but it wouldn't come. A life sentence of hell. I am no ordinary man, I assure you."
"You're an asshole," she said behind gritted teeth, her hands trembling. Did she really deserve what was happening? This was more than she bargained for.
"I am fully aware of that," he said impatiently, glancing at his pocket watch. "As my mate, you'll need to conduct yourself as a proper lady, without coarse language. The contract states that you'll not only be my wife for a year but also bear me an heir. If you fail, the contract is null and void..." His expression suddenly turned cold, his gaze piercing as he asked, "Or...are you unable to conceive?"
"Wait... what?" Amber said, waving the papers in his face. "This is complete madness. I'm not ready to have a child, nor do I even want a child at all! Or with you!"
"Okay, fine then," he said calmly, walking past her. "The men will be here shortly to take you away. I hope you look good in plain, old prison gowns, because you'll be wearing them for a very, very long time. And for your sake, I hope you don't survive the hell that awaits," he taunted.
Amber watched as he made his way to the door, his slow, deliberate strides exuding an air of ruthless confidence. Given his reputation, she didn't doubt his intentions. Was she willing to sacrifice her freedom for a chance to escape this arrangement after a year? A plan began to form in her mind. She could use herbal remedies or sponges to prevent pregnancy and find ways to stall him from consummating the marriage until she could escape from him. She was resourceful and clever; surely, there had to be a way around this.
"Wait!" she called out to him, her voice echoing through the room.
His hand froze on the door knob, and his head slowly turned in her direction. "What is it?"
"I think...I can live with the terms of your contract, and have a child," she said, the words tumbling awkwardly from her lips.
"Normally, I'd have said that offer expired," he replied, his tone unreadable. "I don't have the time nor the energy for indecisiveness. But considering I'm out of time..."
He shrugged and walked back towards her, his movements slow and deliberate. "After the contract expires, you're free to leave," he said, his voice low and menacing. "But the child stays with me. You'll relinquish all maternal rights and responsibilities, and you'll disappear without a trace, far from here."
As the Duke spoke, he closed in on her, his breath whispering against her face. Amber felt a shiver run down her spine as he loomed over her, his presence suffocating.
She bit her lip, rethinking her answer one last time before it was too late to turn back. "Agreed."
"It's a deal, then," he said, stretching his hand out. She eyed it suspiciously.
"It's considered improper to shake a lady's hand, for a Duke, I thought you'd be fully aware of common etiquette."
"But you're not a proper lady. Proper ladies don't steal," he said in a cold tone.
Amber scowled at him. Then she slowly shook his hand. "It's a deal..." she whispered nervously, unsure if she'd made the right choice.
"Steven will show you to your new room," he continued. "The contract will be officially prepared by tomorrow morning for you to sign. In the meantime, carefully go through the drafts I've given you. Then we'll discuss strategy."
"Strategy?" she asked, confused.
"Yes, strategy," the Duke said. "We need to make our marriage and courtship appear genuine to society. I'm already under scrutiny, and the last thing I need is for gossips to have more fuel to tarnish my reputation." He gathered the rest of the papers and folders on his desk, returning them to the drawer as he spoke.
"Why do you want a child?" Amber asked, curiosity getting the better of her, her fears momentarily forgotten.
"You ask too many questions," he said, irritated. "I need an heir to the empire I've built. I've worked too hard, and I'm not about to let it all fall into the hands of my enemies or people who haven't worked a day in their lives." He paused, his eyes clouding over with deep thoughts. "Also, I have some...unresolved issues," he continued slowly. "And this has proven to be the most viable way."
She nodded, unsure of how to reply, feeling a growing sense of unease.
"But such matters do not concern you," he said dryly. "You are only to focus on fulfilling your own end of the contract and let me worry about everything else. As for now, you are my guest...or prisoner, depending on how cooperative you choose to be." He paused. "I forgot to ask, what is your name?"
Amber hesitated, considering her options. She thought about lying, making up another name, but something about that felt risky. If he discovered she was lying, it could complicate things further down the line. With a quiet resolve, she replied, her voice barely above a whisper, "Amber. My name is Amber Aisling".
The Duke leaned in slightly, his voice curt. "Well, Miss Aisling, you can call me John, if you must, to make this facade more believable once we're married." He gestured to his footman, who had re-entered the room, gesturing for him to step forward. "Steven will show you to your accommodations. I hope you find them comfortable, because this is just the beginning of your very long stay." He gave her a devious, bone-chilling smirk, sending a shiver down her spine.
Amber's mind recoiled in horror as she thought, "What have I gotten myself into?"