“You’re only proving my point, of course,” she said. “That you are extraordinarily arrogant.”
“I don’t think of arrogance as a flaw. I would much rather be arrogant than be boring. Or cold. Or rude.”
“As long as you can back up your arrogance,” she said with a coy smile.
He sat forward, his blue eyes boring into her in a way that made her heart race. “I can back it up. Can Lord Trembley?” H e sounded dismissive, and his eyes narrowed with dislike. “His arrogance derives from his wealth, which I personally find to be distasteful. He inherited everything he has. I suppose he has held onto it as well, but that’s only because he is too uptight to play hard or booze.”
“You were saying earlier that you thought he would be a good match for me!” Leah said, staring at him in surprise. “Now you sound as if you detest the man!”
“I don’t detest him, I just think he is a bore,” the Duke said with a snort. “But if he charmed you and flattered you, then I shall not object to your marrying him.”
“Object?” What made him think he had the right toobjectto anyone?
“You know what I mean,” he said dismissively, even though she actually had no idea . “I won’t stand in the way of you marrying Lord Trembley, even if marriage to him will mean a lifetime of being bored to tears.”
“I didn’t know you would consider standing in the way of my marrying anyone,” she said, trying to keep her voice light. “Considering that the alternative is marrying me yourself, I’d think you’d be glad to see me married to whomever offered.”
“I’m not a cold-hearted bastard,” he snapped, frowning at her. “I don’t want you to end up with someone almost as bad as Lord Dubois, simply because it means I won’t have to marry you.”
“I don’t think you are a cold-hearted…” Leah trailed off, unable to bring herself to say the last word. She stared at the Duke, unsure of what to say. She didn’t know why he was so angry, but there was an edge to him that she hadn’t seen before. An irritation.
“Is everything alright?” she asked after a moment. Then she added, glancing around, “Why are you still here? You should go home. You don’t need to wait for all the gentlemen to leave to tell me who you think will propose the quickest. We can discuss it another time.”
“Are you trying to kick me out?” he asked, narrowing his eyes.
“I’m just saying you have done so much for me already.” She smiled at him kindly. “You don’t have to stay here just for my sake.”
A beat or two passed, during which they stared at each other, then the Duke’s face softened. “I’m sorry for being a grumpy lout,” he said. “I am just tired. And I suppose I feel a bit responsible for your happiness in your marriage, since I am the one who helped you attract all these men. Not that you wouldn’t have attracted them on your own, but--”
“I know what you mean,” she said with a smile.
He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “If my lessons and attention have brought these men to your door, then I want to make sure the one you choose isn’t awful. That’s all.”
“I appreciate that very much,” she said. “But I assure you, every single man here is better than Lord Dubois. He is a lecherous old man. Lord Trembley might be a tad arrogant, but he is a good, kind man. All of these gentlemen are.”
She smiled at him. He stared back at her with a blank look for a moment. Then he smiled back--but it had a forced look to it, and she wondered if he was making himself smile at her.
“I’m glad to hear that,” he said. “And I won’t interfere or give my opinion again. You have my word.” He stretched and then glanced at the grandfather clock above the mantle. It was nearly six o’clock. “I should probably head home,” he said. “And change for dinner.”
“I should probably go back to my guests,” Leah said, rising at the same time as the Duke. “But I shall see you in two day’s time at our dinner party?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Chapter Five
“Tonight is the night. ” Face resolutely set, Leah stared at herself in the reflection of her vanity mirror. “Lord Trembley is going to propose.”
“Are you sure?” Vivian looked up from where she was sitting on the edge of Leah’s bed, reading one of the gossip columns, to stare at Leah in shock.
“I am fairly certain,” Leah said, smiling at her in the mirror. “He has called every day the past three days and has brought me the most beautiful bouquets.”
“But is he in need of a wife?” Vivian asked, frowning slightly. “As far as I know, he is not in any debt, and he has three younger brothers. It’s not as if he is in any rush to produce an heir.”
“He might not be content to let his line go to his brothers,” Leah said. “And anyway, he has hinted that he is tired of the marriage mart and wishes only to be happily settled down and content.”
Vivian wrinkled his nose. “He’s a bit dull, isn’t he?”
“If wanting to be settled down is dull, then so are you, Vivian!” Leah said, giving her a pointed look. “Or might I remind you that you are also happily married?”
