Page 14 of His Runaway Duchess

“I know where I heard your name before,” Daphne murmured. “You’re a recluse. I heard your name mentioned in town, and people say that you shut yourself away. They say that you’re odd.”

The Duke’s mouth tightened. “Did you call me back to insult me, Madam?”

Daphne flushed, to her chagrin. “I am sorry. I… I often speak without thinking.”

He grunted. It wasn’t an acceptance of her apology, but neither did he stamp away.

“The thing is, Iama lady, and I need your help. I… I’m lost, and I’m soaked and covered in mud, as you can see. I haven’t had a lot of luck today,” she added, and he snorted. No reply seemed to be forthcoming, and so Daphne continued. “I was hoping to find a house or something like that—somewhere I could get help. Could you… ahem. Could you help me?”

“You say you’re a lady. Who are you, exactly?”

“My name is Daphne Belmont. My father was the late Viscount St. Maur. Perhaps you’ve heard the name?”

He grunted again. “I have. And what help do you want from me?”

“Well, I came from London, and?—”

“London? You’re hours from home. What do you want, then? Come along, it’s late. Want me to send you home in my carriage?”

“N-No, I can’t go back in this state, or at this hour. I was hoping…”

She swallowed hard, studying his face. He had strong features, not entirely fashionable. No button-nose or pink lips on this face. He had dark eyebrows hanging low over his eyes. She couldn’t make out the color and was briefly horrified that she hadwantedto make out the color.

Really, a gentleman would have offered to let me stay by now, and not let me stutter and stammer my way through an awkward situation.

The fact was that he wasnotgoing to offer, so Daphne was going to have to go ahead and say it.

“I was hoping you’d let me stay the night,” she said in a rush. “And… and maybe give me some fresh clothes.”

He stared down at her for a long moment. Why was his face so difficult to read? Daphne did not consider herself a connoisseur of human expressions, but she liked to think she could work out what the average person was thinking in most situations.

This man, however… Well, it was like trying to read a blank slate.

He heaved a sigh. “No,” he said shortly.

Daphne was flabbergasted. “I… You…” she stammered ineffectually.

The Duke turned on his heel and began to walk away from her without another word.

Daphne scrambled after him. “Wait! Wait a minute! You can’t say no… Well, that is, youcansay no, and you have, but please reconsider! What am I to do?”

“I’m not sure that is my concern, Miss… Belmont, was it?”

He didn’t slow his pace, and Daphne was forced to slip and slide down the slope beside him, her arms occasionally windmilling to keep her balance.

“Surely one night can’t hurt? I shan’t get in your way. You won’t even know I’m here.”

“Even if that were true, which I doubt,” he added, shooting her a sidelong glance, “you forget about propriety, Miss Belmont. I am a widower living here without any ladies in the house. You couldn’t possibly spend the night under my roof. You’d be ruined. So would I, for that matter.”

Daphne cursed herself. Shehadforgotten about all those ridiculous rules.

“How about,” she said, beginning to run out of breath, “if I just promise not to try and seduce you?”

He stopped dead, and she nearly skidded down and into his broad back.

“I am not the sort of man who isseduced, Miss Belmont,” he said, his voice low and dangerous.

She held up her hands in surrender. “I just promised that I wouldn’t eventry, Your Grace.”

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