“So why do you want to send her away so quickly?” Marjorie’s voice rose.
Andrew stood up and pulled Marjorie back into the house. “This is nonsense,” he said once they were inside.
“Is it really? To learn that ladies have desires too, that a lady can decide to be or do anything she wants without her being an outcast in Society or seen as a mere wench subject to the whim of her lord husband?”
“Do not put words into my mouth.”
“I do not. I took Ellen to the book club, and she’s currently having a meeting with the Dowager Countess.”
“What Dowager?”
“The Dowager Countess of Bath.”
Andrew’s eyebrows furrowed in surprise. “Lady Bath? The Earl of Ridlington’s grandmother?”
“Yes, that Dowager Countess.”
Andrew let out a breath he did not realize he was holding. “The Dowager is also a member of this…book club?”
“No, Andrew. She founded the book club,” Marjorie corrected. “So, you see, it’s not just for brazen ladies like me; respectable mothers and women of nobility are in attendance as well.”
“I see.”
“I wonder if you really do.”
“I guess if Ellen is with the Dowager Countess then she is in safe hands. I will wait for her.”
“Fine, do as you wish.”
Marjorie stood up to leave, but Andrew held her hands. “Marjorie.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Stay.”
Marjorie laughed. “My arch-nemesis desires the pleasure of my company?”
“I would think that any respectable lady would be thrilled to be invited to spend a little time with the Duke of Grant.”
“Your Grace, this lady would rather muck the stables than sit next to an annoying man like you.”
“Well, that can be arranged.”
“What can?”
“You mucking out the stables.”
“You would not dare, Andrew.”
“Oh, you are impossible, Marjorie,” Andrew said and captured her lips in a passionate kiss. Marjorie froze in his arms and then returned the kiss with gusto.
“I hate it when we argue so much,” Andrew whispered softly.
“We would not argue if you weren’t so strong-headed.”
“Where is the fun in that?”
“I agree. You would be dreadfully droll,” Marjorie retorted and moaned as Andrew kissed her some more.
