Page 27 of Taken By the Beastly Duke

When his carriage stopped in front of the Hobbs townhouse. He came down when the footman opened the door then he stood at the entrance looking up at the structure while trying to compose himself.

He remembered he had been there merely three weeks prior for a similar yet altogether different reason and he couldn't help but laugh. Two marriage proposals for two different daughters.

To anyone outside, the Viscount would have appeared to be a man graced by God.

When he knocked, the butler opened, and this time had learnt to control his expressions better.

"Your Grace." He bowed in greeting.

"I am here to see the Viscount."

He nodded and opened the door wider, letting him in.

"Where might I find him?" He asked once his coat was hung.

"He is in his study." He answered. "Please wait in the receiving room while I inquire if he will be joining you there."

A few minutes later he returned and announced that he would be meeting the Viscount in his study.

"Alright, please lead the way," he answered.

" Certainly, your grace".

The butler bowed then led the way to his master's study. When they got to the stairs that led to the upper part of the house, they had to pause because a young girl of about fifteen summers was skipping down the stairs with excitement. He guessed she had to be the last daughter of the family.

"Good morning, Billings," she greeted waving at the butler.

"Good morning to you, Miss Diana," the butler returned with a slight bow.

The girl turned, tilting her head to look at him with a curious expression

"I presume you are the Duke of Devlin?" she asked a bold tilt to her chin.

The girl was bold and fearless he would give her that, most girls her age would run the other way, immediately they got a glimpse of his scarred features. Her immediate elder sister being prime example.

He was secretly happy that he did not have to endure marriage to that one. He guessed he dodged a bullet with her.

"At your service, miss," he answered with a bow.

At his answer, he might have been expecting the young lady to scramble to curtesy to show respect instead she folded both arms across her tiny chest and fixing her defiant stare in him she continued

"I hope you have good intentions towards Victoria. I will have to challenge you if you do not do right by her," she said with a mutinous look on her face.

Anthony was tempted to ask her if she really thought to challenge him to a duel.

A look at her tiny figure and he had to fight hard to mask his amusement. The tiny authoritarian lady was not going to appreciate him laughing at her

Instead, he cleared his throat and answered her.

"I do have good intentions towards your sister. That is the reason why I am here to see your father."

Nodding in understanding, she turned to leave, seeming to remember something she turned back to him.

"Do you love her?" She asked abruptly and Anthony was taken aback by the unexpected question.

He was however saved from having to provide an answer by the sound of Charity coming down the stairs.

"That's enough Diana, it's time for your lessons, go to the library"

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