Page 68 of A Virgin for the Rakish Marquess

“Thank you for your kind words, Your Grace,” Diana said gracefully, but then she decided to try a little offense. “I also have one brother—Herbert. Still unmarried. I believe he is involved in a business venture with Lord Crawford.”

“I imagine it could be so. My son is not one to sit idly and just enjoy the income the estate generates.”

It was the Duke’s turn to study her.

Diana was smiling, but inside, she was wary. She had heard the rumor that the Duke of Pemberton was… well, mad. It was not an easy feeling to sit across from someone with such a reputation. She had been expecting a reaction when she brought up James.

Instead, she saw a look that she could only describe as pride. And then it withered, and the Duke’s shoulders sagged.

It seemed that James was right, after all. Gossip was never the whole truth.

Solomon Bolton was neither crazy nor mad. He was severe, yes, but not unkind or unstable. There was something measured in the way he spoke, something controlled in his every movement.For the first time since arriving at Pemberton House, Diana realized just how much the rumors had misled her.

“What are you reading at the moment, Lady Diana?”

The question threw her off. She knew that the Duke would be more interested in her than her family, but for him to assume that she enjoyed reading…

He didn’t askifshe was reading. He askedwhatshe was reading.

“How did you know I enjoy reading, Your Grace?”

“You observe before you speak,” he said. “You weigh your words. People who do that are either liars or scholars.”

And the ton called this man a madman.

Diana smiled, truly smiled this time. “I have decided to try my hand at Thucydides, Your Grace.”

“I will not even pretend to know anything about that. I am not a scholar, you see. It is James who is the reader in the family.”

Diana’s breath caught. Even hearing his name flustered her, and remembering their philosophical banter made her even more bothered. It was a part of James that she liked a lot. The other, she’d rather not bring up in front of his father.

“I understand that James has won five promenades with you,” Solomon said flatly.

“Yes.” Diana mustered her acting skills. “A little ruse from Selina to raise more money for the hospital. Lord Crawford graciously donated a generous amount to the cause.”

“I am sure he found that auction quite amusing. So, I gather you are spending some time together.”

Diana felt a shiver run down her spine. Surely, the Duke couldn’t have known about the agreement she and James had?

“Lord Crawford has honored his commitment,” Diana answered diplomatically.

Solomon set his cup down carefully, his fingers lingering on the delicate porcelain as if he were gathering his thoughts. His gaze remained steady on her. Not unkind, but assessing.

“What do you think of my son, Lady Diana?”

Oh.

Diana panicked. This felt like an ambush. Either a father who wanted to warn a woman away from his son or a father who was just interviewing a potential daughter-in-law. She would have thought all about that if she didn’t catch his body stiffen.

No, this was something different. She had the feeling that his question was not a trap. It was genuine.

Diana decided to trust her instincts.

“Well…” She smiled softly. “I can tell you this. Lord Crawford is not boring.”

Solomon relaxed and smiled back. “That is for sure. Never a dull moment with James. But don’t you find his… intensity overwhelming?”

Diana had to tryreallyhard not to frown. She started having the suspicion that the Duke had invited her with one clear purpose. And that was to talk about his son.

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