AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I will take my leave of you all now.” The Duke looked back to her parents. “Spread the word of the betrothal, by all means, for it may help to soften the rumors. I will send word as soon as I have the license. Good day to you all.” He bowed swiftly, opened the door, and was gone, his tall figure striding out of the room.
At first, Marina didn’t move. She gawked in his wake, amazed at the control he had in the room. Despite the fact it was her parents’ house, they had deferred to him like children in a schoolroom and let him lead the conversation.
“Good day!” Joshua called, bowing far too late. “I cannot believe what has just happened,” he whispered to Ruth.
“Nor can I,” she agreed. “Does this mean Marina’s name is safe?”
“It is a little safer though it will never be perfect again. He is making a sacrifice,” Joshua pointed out practically. “He could have survived the scandal and not called on us, but that is not what he chose to do. He has surprised me today.”
“You are not the only one.” The words escaped Marina as she stepped out of the door.
“Marina? Where are you going?” Joshua called after her.
“To talk to him.”
“Is that wise?”
“It’s hardly improper now you have betrothed me to him, is it?” Her challenging tone made her father fall still and not pursue her as she exited down the corridor, having to run to the front door to catch up with the Duke.
She drew level at the front door as he opened it. His eyes swiveled in her direction with his brows raised. Those dark blue orbs drifted down her, just as they had done the night before. She dropped her skirt that she had grabbed as she ran, hiding her legs from his view.
“You have a habit of revealing what’s beneath your gown, My Lady.” It was a playful tone before he opened the door wider and stepped out.
She ignored the sizzle in her gut that his words made and followed him out.
“Your Grace, you cannot leave now after such a discussion.”
“Why not? Do you wish me to make further comments on the state of your dress?” he asked, walking away from her toward the horse that awaited him on the drive.
“No! I meant the discussion of our betrothal.” She reached for his arm and caught him, just as he stood level with the horse. He looked down at the hold she had, and she instantly dropped that hand, rather wary of the unfathomable look in his expression. Was that wariness? Anger? Or something else altogether? “We must talk about this more. Your Grace, I did not expect you to make a proposal. I did not ask one of you.”
“You said as much in that parlor.” He nodded toward the house. “You may have no care for your good name, but I would not forgive myself if I stood back and watched you fall. I had to do something.”
“But…” She struggled for words, wondering what further objection she could put up.
“Accept it, Lady Marina. You and I will have to get used to seeing each other much more.” He turned and picked up his horse’s reins, preparing to mount him.
Marina turned on the spot, a little frantic, with her hands on her hips. Her thoughts were in a whirl with one idea running into the next. If she could not end this proposal as she had ended the last, then she would have to make something of it.
The gentleman before her had a foul reputation. He owned a gambling hall, and if whispers were true, he was involved in criminal activity, yet his decision not to see her good name ruined showed there was a heart there.
He cannot be an evil man.
Before he stepped up into the stirrups, she moved beside him, blocking his path.
“You are developing a habit of standing close,” he whispered to her, his blue eyes resting on her.
“It’s a way to grab your attention, I see.”
“Very much,” he agreed. “Yet you would do wise not to tempt me, Lady Marina.” She wondered what he meant by those words. An image filled her head of what temptation could be like, maybe kissing the Duke, or undressing for him again.
Do not think about it!
The coil of excitement that wormed in her stomach and then shot somewhere much lower made her squirm, moving her weight between her feet.
“I wish to talk,” she pleaded.
“Talk?” He laughed. “After what I saw of you last night, I would have thought you had something else in mind other than talking.”
