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He wouldn’t want to hear about the plant cycle and how they ended up spreading out into varying species. That was definitely something that would put a man off. And they needed this marriage: her and her mother.
If they lost this proposal, they were going to be back at the start. And the search for another marriage offer would start again, but tougher. They couldn’t afford that.
“Isabel?”
Isabel opened her eyes as she jumped. Then Richard was there, stepping out of the shadows. Isabel’s heart started picking up speed. She pressed a hand to her chest.
“Richard. What are you doing out here?”
“I came out for some air.” His face was expressionless as he looked her over. “Got bored of the Duke of Galliston already?”
Isabel flushed.
“Do you have a problem with the duke? He’s a good, respectable man.”
“He’s also got lots of money, which is what you were looking for, wasn’t it?”
Richard’s response cut through her. She stared at him.
“Why are you so horrible, Richard? You know I need to find myself a husband. Otherwise, Mother and I are going to be destitute, and I’m sure you know by now that the current Viscount Dunley isn’t going to help us.”
“I know that much. I’ve met him.” Richard’s eyes drifted over her face. “I think I preferred the last viscount.”
“Even though he gambled all of our money away?”
“At least his personality was preferable.”
Isabel had to agree with that. She drew herself up, squaring her shoulders as she smoothed her hands over her skirts.
“The Duke of Galliston is nothing like that. He’s a good person. He’s interesting company, good-looking, and he actually likes me.”
“But does he actually like you?”
“What does that mean?”
Richard took a step towards her.
“Has he seen the true Isabel Moore? I’m pretty sure he hasn’t if his confused look earlier is anything to go by. What are the chances that the moment you start becoming who you really are, he’s going to want to distance himself from you?”
Isabel flinched.
“There’s no need to be so harsh, Richard. And he knows the real me. He wouldn’t have proposed to me if he didn’t.”
“I know the real Isabel. He knows an idea. That’s not the same.”
“You think you know the real me?” She glared at him. “You haven’t seen me in four years, and the two times we’ve met since you came back, you’ve rescued me from a river and then took advantage of me.”
Richard raised his eyebrows.
“I took advantage of you? How did I do that?”
“You kissed me! You didn’t have a right to do that!”
“You weren’t objecting.”
Isabel then realized that Richard had been getting closer. He pressed his hands to the wall, causing her to back up and bump into the stones. His face was still blank as he looked her over, but she could see the glint in his eyes. Was it suddenly warmer out here?
“If you didn’t want me to kiss you, you should have said so,” Richard murmured. “I won’t force myself onto a woman who doesn’t want a kiss.”
