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He stiffened at the mention of the buckets in the hallway but said nothing.

She held up her hands and added, ‘If you think about it, it’s really more of a business transaction than a marriage. I will repair your house. You will give me the gardens. It seems like a good bargain to me.’

Alaric had no idea what to say. But an inner voice reminded him that Lenora had abandoned him, marrying a man she hardly knew. Perhaps the logical revenge was for him to marry a stranger as well. Lady Charlotte was quite attractive, she came from a wealthy family, and she was willing to agree to an arranged marriage that maintained their independence.

Then Lady Charlotte continued, ‘I would be willing to consider your suit. But there should be rules that we agree upon.’

He had never heard any woman speak of marriage in such a way without any notion of romance. And, in spite of himself, it sounded intriguing.

‘Rules of marriage?’ he ventured.

‘Indeed,’ she said. ‘First, should you decide to seek my hand in marriage, please understand that our union would be nothing more than an arrangement. I would not expect or want there to be feelings between us.’

Her insistence on no feelings between them suggested that she was a virgin. Or perhaps a young woman who had lost someone she’d loved. Her proposition that a marriage would be an arrangement, nothing more, was quite agreeable to him. But there was another matter she had not mentioned.

‘Do you plan for us to consummate the marriage?’ he asked quietly.

Her cheeks reddened, and she twisted her hands together. ‘I understand my duty. And I am willing to bear children, as required. Later, of course.’

He kept his face stoic, revealing no emotions at all. Although he knew heirs were a logical consequence of marriage, he was in no hurry to have a child. Not after his mother had suffered and died in childbirth. And if he never sired children, his brother Thornton could simply remain his heir.

Alaric turned his thoughts back to Charlotte’s proposition. He’d never imagined that a young woman would ask him to wed. It seemed entirely backwards. And yet…he had to admire her good sense in her views, no matter that this was highly unusual.

‘Did you come to Severn alone?’ he asked softly.

‘Not entirely. I have a driver, a footman, and a maid,’ she answered.

‘You do realise that you could be ruined, simply for making this journey?’

‘That’s unlikely.’ She offered a rueful smile. ‘Our servants are discreet and loyal to my family. But once again, this was only an outing, nothing more. My father believes I am paying a call upon one of my friends. As long as I am back at home within a few hours, there is no harm done.’

‘And what if I were to refuse your proposal?’ He was curious as to how she would respond. But the more he thought of it, the more he realised that this could be a strong solution to his debts—especially if she was sincere about her decision to have a loveless marriage. And if he married Lady Charlotte, it would be his own way of proving to Lenora that if she could marry someone so soon after breaking their secret relationship, so could he.

Her smile grew serene. ‘I have received half a dozen other offers, Your Grace. If you refuse, I would simply choose from among them. At least, the gentleman with the best garden, that is. Earlier this week, I sent servants to assess their gardens, and I have ranked them accordingly. But yours far surpasses theirs, so for that reason, I came to see it for myself.’

She wasn’t at all like Lenora. Alaric didn’t know what sort of woman Lady Charlotte was or even if he wanted to know her better. But she had surprised him, and few women did any more.

He didn’t know what to think.

The duke was staring at her.

And Heaven help her, Charlotte couldn’t help but stare back. He was more than reasonably handsome. Quite attractive, if she were honest. No one had told her that this reclusive duke would be so handsome in a rough, untamed sort of way. He was taller than her, with a lean strength that caught her imagination and rumpled dark hair—as if he’d run his hands through it in frustration. Those grey eyes were like storm clouds, watching her with a calm expression that belied the danger underneath.

There had been rumours that a woman had spurned him, but likely it was a lie. Charlotte couldn’t imagine anyone walking away from this man. So many emotions had manifested in his eyes. Annoyance, anger…and something intense that made her cheeks flush.

It had startled her to admit that she’d felt something unexpected. The sudden rush of interest had slipped through her veins, curling up deep within her in a warmth she didn’t understand. She’d been entirely aware of his silent presence, especially his steel eyes and the firm mouth that never smiled.

Charlotte imagined what it would feel like to have that gaze entirely focused on her. What would it be like to marry a man like this, to share her life with someone who utterly fascinated her?

She had been far too bold in asking him to consider marriage. He was going to say no—she could see it in the calculating look in his eyes. And…and that was all right. Her suggestion of marriage had only been an offered arrangement, nothing more. If he said no, that was fine.

Charlotte gathered up what was left of her confidence and rose from her chair. Then she nodded to him. ‘I will leave you to consider it, Your Grace. Should you wish to draw up rules of marriage and present them to me with your offer, we can discuss it.’

But before she could leave, he reached for her gloved hand. ‘Do you intend to tell your father about this…outing?’

Her heart stumbled a moment at the unexpected touch. His grip was firm, and her imagination reeled as she imagined what it would be like to have this man’s full attention fixed upon her. His grey eyes bored into hers, but instead of being intimidated, her skin felt tight against her gown. Even her breathing grew unsteady, and she suddenly understood that she was not immune to this man. He drew her closer, and she studied his mouth, wondering what it would be like to kiss him. She would have to be very, very careful.

He was still waiting on her answer. So she took a breath and said, ‘No, I won’t tell my father I was here. If you are not interested in a…a marital union, then we can simply pretend that I was never here.’