Page 13 of A Mother for the Blind Duke’s Orphans

“Then I will take my nieces home without you.”

Miss Norish was quiet for a long moment. When she spoke, her voice was lower. “That is cruel, Your Grace.”

“Call it what you must,” he said coldly.

She moved closer to him, and he faced her again as she looked directly at him. Hector wondered what she thought of him then.

“I can see that you care for them. At least we have that in common,” she whispered.

“Of course I care. They are my sister’s children.”

Her breath softened. They were on opposite sides of an impossible proposal, but between them were two children who had already lost too much. That was the only ground that mattered.

“They are expecting me tomorrow,” Miss Norish added softly.

He had anticipated many objections, but not this one.

“I told them I would come tomorrow. Will I be allowed to see them? Perhaps I could prepare them for you?” he heard her pleading tone, but sadly he could not agree with this visit.

“There will be no time.”

“But they will think I chose not to come.” Her voice tightened. “You do not understand. A promise to a child is not a small thing simply because the adult has more urgent business.”

His jaw set. “The license must be obtained, and arrangements have been made to pick them up today.”

“Is it not possible to make arrangements after my visit?” she pleaded.

“That is not practical, Miss Norish.”

“Neither is asking a woman you have just met to marry you, yet here we are.”

That might have amused him under other circumstances. Under these, it forced him to reconsider the line he had drawn.

“Please?” she begged. “I cannot disappoint them. I cannot disappoint Aurora.”

The name altered the room more than any argument had. His own plans pressed against the plea until he caved in. He let out a long, resigned sigh as he thought about it.

Perhaps seeing her with the girls before making her my duchess would be smarter.

“You may visit them tomorrow at the orphanage for one hour only,” he said sternly.

The relief in her silence was almost audible, and he could see her bright smile.

“Thank you, Your Grace,” she said as she beamed at him.

“My solicitor will ensure the children’s transport straight after your visit at eleven o’clock in the morning.” His cold tone made her smile vanish instantly. “Unfortunately, Miss Norish, I am a duke and have very little time for sentimentality. I suggest you follow my rules from now on so life will be much easier for you when you become my duchess.”

Her shoulders tensed again. She drew another breath; this one was unsteady, and he watched as her skin reddened.

“If I am even to consider your proposal, then perhaps I should establish some rules too.”

Hector hid his surprise at her challenge. “Proceed?”

She froze for a minute, considering her words before she spoke again. “I will not share a bed with you.”

He had thought himself prepared for bluntness, but her words caught him off guard.

“I beg your pardon?”