Page 11 of The Duchess He Couldn’t Resist

“An explanation?”

“Perhaps you would be so kind as to share with me the reason for summoning me here tonight.”

The Duke turned to her, a tumbler half full in his hand from which he drank while looking at her. He then sat on the couch and gestured for her to sit as well. Marigold was glad that the Duke was wealthy because he could afford more than one couch in his drawing room. That afforded Marigold the luxury of choosing the other one and making herself comfortable.

“I am wondering if you are as bad as they say,” he asked in a deadpan tone.

Her fingers crumpled the skirt of her dress. She kept her face straight, but there was nothing to be done about the blush on her cheeks.

“I sincerely try not to be.”

“They seemed quite determined to convince me otherwise.”

“If it’s all right with you, Your Grace,” she failed to conceal the tension in her voice, “I should like to avoid discussing such a matter tonight.”

To her surprise, the Duke seemed to respect her request and simply nodded.

“How do you know the name of the gangster?”

Marigold looked up and frowned.

“He’s just one of the thugs who keep harassing me to pay off my loan. I know most of them, and some of them I’ve known for years.”

“I find it hard to believe that a lady like you would find herself tangled with such individuals.”

“And yet I know most of them by name,” she admitted. “They have been a staple in my life for the past few years, consistently harassing me.”

At last, an intense feeling passed through him, but seemed he decided to smother it with more whiskey.

“Why?”

Marigold was expecting the question, and still, she felt embarrassed. Yes, this man had saved her twice and had even publicly announced he was her… fiancé, yet it felt quite intimate to share with him secrets and things that she had told no one else about. She took a deep breath and exhaled.

“My family borrowed some money from them.”

He stared at her over the rim of his glass.

“That vermin said that he would own you. Is this the reason?”

“I mean…” Marigold struggled to find the right words. “These are matters that concern my… It’s a family matter that…”

She closed her eyes and, with all her resolve, tried to keep her composure.

“Your Grace, I would very much appreciate it if you didn’t press me on the matter.”

“No.”

The answer struck like a thunderclap in the small room.

“Tell me more names from this gang. Would you recognize their faces? Have you ever seen their leader?”

“Your Grace, I…”

“Were you put down as collateral?”

“It was…”

“Did you do it yourself?”