“Shh.” Fleur tapped one of her lacy fingertips against her lips. “Mr. Winterly is ordering us to be silent.”
“…Who bids on this coveted work…”
“Winterly knows better. He was speaking to the fools in front, and if it was on some odd chance for me, he could take hisorderingto the Devil. He’ll fare better getting his wishes met.”
“You mean than with you, all-mighty, all-powerful duke?”
“Yes.”
Fleur fought another laugh—and lost.
Gaze forward, she batted her eyelashes at poor Mr. Winterly.
“I have…from the lady… Do I hear…?”
Once she managed to pull the attention off of them, Fleur whispered out the side of her mouth. “Hush, Hart.”
It was the first time she used his name—and she had done so while making eyes at the auctioneer. A roar filled his ears. Andall because the little flirt used her wiles right in front of Hart. Like he wasn’t even bloody there.
“Fluttering those lovely lashes at Winterly didn’t close the auction this time,” he taunted.
“I would never be so lucky,” she said under her breath.
“What was that?”
“…Forty-five from…”
“Shh.”
“Now, you’re silent?”
Finally, she turned from the flurry at the front of the room to Hart. “I’m trying to be silent. You should do the same,” she scolded him like a naughty lad.
“There is nothing I should or should not do.” Hart folded his arms at his chest. “I do whatever I want.”
The lady pointed her eyes at the ceiling.
“…I…see a bid from the lady in the amount of…”
“I will not cease, Fleur.”
“You mean you won’t stop badgering me?” she muttered.
“Seventy-five guineas…look to your right…!”
He smiled. “Six of one, half dozen of the other.”
“Eighty to the gentleman in the red frockcoat!”
“Oh, rot it. Chilton anticipates the value to rise, and it seemed a wise investment. Now will you let up?”
Hart would not—surprisingly, he found himself enjoying teasing the minx.
“You trusted a man who is operating the auction, and prospers with increased bids, to most accurately advise you?”
“…One hundred…”
“Do I trust a man who operates a business with his wife as an equal partner, and values her intellect and acumen? Yes.”
