Page 9 of The Duke and the Hellion Bride

“And she has been doing a wonderful job,” the duke assured her. “We were just now getting acquainted.”

“I hope she has been behaving herself,” her mother chortled, again looking warningly at Diana. “I jest, of course.”

“She has been nothing but hospitable, I assure you.” The duke caught her eye and smirked. As for Diana? She continued to stare stupidly.

She must have misheard him. Surely, that was what happened? Diana racked her brain to remember everything said between the two at the garden party. And even just now. Nothing romantic that she could remember. Nothing suggestive. They had hardly even spoken! And what had been said was combative... even hostile.

This was a trick. An attempt to get back at her. That was all it could be. To turn up like this and simply expect her to say yes. No... there was no way the offer was real.

With that, Diana fixed herself and narrowed her eyes at the duke. She would not be played!

“Now, I see you are without beverage,” Diana’s mother said. “What on earth has my --” She turned about to call for a servant, only to find Miss White standing in the room.

“Ah, Miss White. I was just saying, why have you not offered the duke a drink! And where is Evelyn, while you are at it? That girl...” A shake of the head.

“I am so sorry, Madam, but I am afraid a messenger has just arrived for you.”

Diana’s mother frowned. “A messenger? From whom?”

Miss White looked awkwardly at the duke. “It is from...” She dropped her voice. “Lord Herrod.”

Diana’s mother’s eyes turned wide, as did Diana’s.That man is nothing if not persistent.“What? Now?”

“Yes. He is right outside.”

She sucked her teeth and looked back to the duke. Then back toward the door. Caught between thoughts, unable to decide upon what to do. Really, the timing could not have been worse. Or better, depending on how one looked at it.

“Your Grace, if you will just excuse me for one moment --”

“Think nothing of it,” the duke assured her. “I am quite certain your lovely daughter will be capable of entertaining me for a moment longer.”

Diana’s mother clearly did not wish to leave, and it seemed as if the effort to do so just about felled her. But she offered another quick apology and scampered from the room, leaving Diana alone with the duke once more. And not a moment too soon.

“Explain yourself,” Diana said the moment the door closer. “Now, thank you.”

The duke’s expression was placid. “I think the offer is rather clear, don’t you?”

“You wish to marry me?”

“That is right.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that.”

“But... but... but...” Diana felt herself becoming flustered. Surely, she was missing something. “But why? Did my mother reach out to you? Have you heard that I am currently looking for a husband – at my mother’s request, mind you. After the other day, I should be the last person you would wish to marry. It doesn’t make any sense!”

He smiled at how frantic she was becoming. “Are you always this excitable?”

“I am not!”

“From what I have seen, you are.” He took a quick step toward her; so sudden that she did not have time to move back. Perhaps he was not as close as he had been in the hedge the other day, but it reminded her of that same sensation, and Diana’s body began to flush as a result.

“You have simply caught me at inopportune times…” She looked away, feeling her face flush.

Silence for a moment as the duke studied her. She still refused to look at him, still felt her face turning red as he watched her. There was a tension which hovered between the two, and dammit if Diana didn’t feel the sudden urge to break it by doing something foolish.

“If you think about it, it makes perfect sense,” he said suddenly, breaking the tension. “I told you I wish for a strong-willed woman. And you, Miss Goldsmith, are certainly that. Yes, the timing might seem a little --”

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