“That must be the first time you have thanked me for anything, My Lady.”
“It might be.” She sighed. She lifted one hand and gestured, in a precise small motion, to the space between them. “But please, Your Grace. I am talking about this. What do you think you are doing?”
“I am collecting my debt.”
“Your what?”
“Lady Alice, I need a wife. I need one who will agree to my conditions. You needed me, and I helped you. You will help me in return. I am also protecting my sister’s reputation as well as your own, so by my count, everyone wins.”
“I think not.”
“I think yes.”
“Your Grace, I just wanted to make my sister happy. I did not… I did not want to be stuck with the Ice Duke.”
“You wound me.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Lady Alice.” He was not teasing now. “If you refuse my offer, what is your plan? Did you simply intend to kiss someone and die a spinster?”
“I…”
“What?”
“I had not thought that far. I wanted my sister to marry for love, and I…”
“You what?”
She did not answer.
He waited.
She had begun to pick at the hem of her glove. She did not, he thought, want to tell him whatever she had nearly said.
“Lady Alice.”
“I wanted love in my life as well,” she said quietly, her gaze dropping back to the carpet.
He felt a chill skitter across the back of his neck. It was the closest thing to recognition he had felt in twelve months, and he hated it because he could not afford it.
“Well…” His voice came out the way he had wanted it to—even, cool. “You seem to be unlucky in that case. I have only a title to offer you. But I can assure you that, after you have been publiclykissed by the Duke of Langton, no one will ever pay much attention to you again, let alone love you.”
“From the ton, probably not.” Her voice was very small. “You are right.”
“I often am.”
She rolled her eyes. He watched her do it.
The fire was back. He was relieved.
“It will not be so bad, Lady Alice. Being my Duchess. You will become sisters with Joanna. You will have all the freedom and respect my title can provide. Your own sister will never feel guilty for stealing your fiancé.”
“She did not steal him. I offered him to her.”
He did not answer that.
“Fine,” she sighed. “Let us say I half-accept your proposal.”
