an exception for this arrogant man. “If you had your way, I would still be waiting for you at Frethwell Hall. Here and now. Tomorrow. Next year, and the years that followed.”
His lips twitched. “Impossible. You must have missed the part where I am to get you with child within eighteen months of the marriage. My grandmother liked to have her way, and she was a stickler for details.”
Grace realized her mouth had fallen open and swiftly closed it. Why had no one pointed out that particular clause? Of course he would require an heir from her. She just had not expected to become a brood mare so quickly. How long would it take for him to get her with child? She could be sent back to Frethwell Hall weeks after their marriage.
“Grace,” he said, oblivious to her tumultuous thoughts. “It was never my intention to allow so many years to pass without visiting you. I realize this is not the most auspicious beginning, but I have faith we can set things right. You are not quite one-and-twenty, and I am prepared to honor my end of the bargain. We will marry as soon as I can obtain a special license and—”
“No.”
It took a few seconds for her rejection to register on his face. Grace concluded that not many people refused the duke. “I beg your pardon.”
“Was I not succinct?” she asked, wiggling her toes and recalling that she was barefoot. “Or perhaps I spoke too softly.”
“No, I heard you,” he said in clipped tones. “I just expect you to look me in the eye when you are tossing away an arrangement that was created for your benefit.”
To prove that she not intimidated by his presence, she lifted her eyes until she was staring into his amber gaze. The brilliant color blazed like twin suns. “Let’s not forget that you have benefited from this arrangement as well. Porter has told me that your investments have made us both very rich, and no doubt your liberties with my assets gave you certain advantages over the years.”
“It is kind of you to acknowledge that I have made you very wealthy. Most orphans would be grateful to be called an heiress.”
What sort of man could be cruel enough to remind her that she was all alone in this world? “I also happen to be the daughter of a duke,” she said evenly. “Nor am I a fool, Your Grace. I will soon be of age, and will no longer require you to be my guardian. The duty did not suit you, and I, for one, am grateful it has come to an end.”
Seconds later he had her pinned in place by blocking any means to escape with his muscular arms. He had moved so swiftly, she could not fathom how he had done it.
“I am much more than your guardian, Lady Grace,” he said, his close proximity forcing her to tip her head back so she could meet his furious gaze. “I am your husband.”
“No yet,” she said triumphantly. “Not ever, if I have a say about it.”
“The only words I require from you are yes and I do, ” he purred, his body filling her vision. The subtle scent of man with the hint of lavender filled her nose.
“Words you may hear often from your servants and mistresses, but you will not hear them from me.”
She placed her palms against his chest. Even through the layers of his evening coat, waistcoat, and linen shirt, she could feel the heat of his body. It struck her that this was the first time she had truly touched him, and the intimacy of the gesture unsettled her. “If you are the gentleman you are purported to be, you will step away and leave this house.” She pushed against his chest, but it was as solid as a wall.
The duke leaned closer. “Or else, what?”
“Or else, I will call for Rosemary,” she replied, frantically grasping for the first weapon that came to mind. His nearness was scattering her wits. “She will wake the rest of the staff, or summon the watch. I do not care if she wakes everyone in this square. As much as I have enjoyed this little visit, you have overstayed your welcome and I wish for you to
His lips twitched. “Impossible. You must have missed the part where I am to get you with child within eighteen months of the marriage. My grandmother liked to have her way, and she was a stickler for details.”
Grace realized her mouth had fallen open and swiftly closed it. Why had no one pointed out that particular clause? Of course he would require an heir from her. She just had not expected to become a brood mare so quickly. How long would it take for him to get her with child? She could be sent back to Frethwell Hall weeks after their marriage.
“Grace,” he said, oblivious to her tumultuous thoughts. “It was never my intention to allow so many years to pass without visiting you. I realize this is not the most auspicious beginning, but I have faith we can set things right. You are not quite one-and-twenty, and I am prepared to honor my end of the bargain. We will marry as soon as I can obtain a special license and—”
“No.”
It took a few seconds for her rejection to register on his face. Grace concluded that not many people refused the duke. “I beg your pardon.”
“Was I not succinct?” she asked, wiggling her toes and recalling that she was barefoot. “Or perhaps I spoke too softly.”
“No, I heard you,” he said in clipped tones. “I just expect you to look me in the eye when you are tossing away an arrangement that was created for your benefit.”
To prove that she not intimidated by his presence, she lifted her eyes until she was staring into his amber gaze. The brilliant color blazed like twin suns. “Let’s not forget that you have benefited from this arrangement as well. Porter has told me that your investments have made us both very rich, and no doubt your liberties with my assets gave you certain advantages over the years.”
“It is kind of you to acknowledge that I have made you very wealthy. Most orphans would be grateful to be called an heiress.”
What sort of man could be cruel enough to remind her that she was all alone in this world? “I also happen to be the daughter of a duke,” she said evenly. “Nor am I a fool, Your Grace. I will soon be of age, and will no longer require you to be my guardian. The duty did not suit you, and I, for one, am grateful it has come to an end.”
Seconds later he had her pinned in place by blocking any means to escape with his muscular arms. He had moved so swiftly, she could not fathom how he had done it.
“I am much more than your guardian, Lady Grace,” he said, his close proximity forcing her to tip her head back so she could meet his furious gaze. “I am your husband.”
“No yet,” she said triumphantly. “Not ever, if I have a say about it.”
“The only words I require from you are yes and I do, ” he purred, his body filling her vision. The subtle scent of man with the hint of lavender filled her nose.
“Words you may hear often from your servants and mistresses, but you will not hear them from me.”
She placed her palms against his chest. Even through the layers of his evening coat, waistcoat, and linen shirt, she could feel the heat of his body. It struck her that this was the first time she had truly touched him, and the intimacy of the gesture unsettled her. “If you are the gentleman you are purported to be, you will step away and leave this house.” She pushed against his chest, but it was as solid as a wall.
The duke leaned closer. “Or else, what?”
“Or else, I will call for Rosemary,” she replied, frantically grasping for the first weapon that came to mind. His nearness was scattering her wits. “She will wake the rest of the staff, or summon the watch. I do not care if she wakes everyone in this square. As much as I have enjoyed this little visit, you have overstayed your welcome and I wish for you to
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