Page 6 of Duke of Iron
“It means nothing. I am taking you home. That is all.”
“That isnotall!” She felt her throat tighten. “You are not taking this seriously. I should not be seen alone with you, not even for a second.”
“I may be a rake, Lady May, but I would never wish to ruin a woman. Certainly not one who can demand marriage from me.”
Her heart gave a violent kick. “You think this is amusing? That I would ask you to marry me after being seen in your company?”
“Of course not. You wouldn’t. But if you did, I would be obliged. That’s the sort of man I am.”
“Someoneisalways watching,” she whispered.
“Are they in the hedges now, do you think? Behind the lampposts? Perhaps in a tree? Should we wave to them together?”
She groaned. “Please stop the carriage. I shall walk.”
He knocked on the roof, and the carriage slowed. But as he leaned forward, his presence seemed to fill the entire space. The scent of leather and something woodsy enveloped her.
“The carriage has stopped. But I cannot in good conscience let you walk alone.”
“Why ever not?”
“You could twist your ankle. Lose your way. Be snatched by footpads. Mauled by a dog. Mistakeanotherman for your brother.”
She crossed her arms. “That last one wasnotmy fault.”
“You would also find it impossible to identify said dog or footpad without your spectacles.”
She tried not to smile. “Nevertheless. I must go.”
“And yet I shall accompany you. For your safety, Lady May.”
She hesitated. Hewasa duke. And despite his reputation, he had been nothing but polite—aside from the comment about her lips, of course.
“Very well,” she said tightly. “But we walk. No more enclosed spaces.”
He descended first, then turned and offered his hand. She accepted it, letting him help her down onto the street as he turned toward the coachman with orders to stay in place. The air felt cooler than before. Fresher. Safer.
“Your house is not far,” he said.
“I know,” she replied. “I can see it now.”
He laughed, the sound low and warm. Her stomach gave a strange, unwelcome flutter. Her eyes darted around. Windows. Gates. Empty stoops. Could anyone see them?
“Do not fret so much. The only eyes on us now are yours and mine. And mine, I assure you, are far more delighted than disapproving.”
She blinked at him.Why must he speak like that?Instead of responding, she ignored him and turned to look straight ahead, hating the manner in which her spectacles sat upon her nose with one lens higher than the other after the way she’d bent them.
A few steps from her house, they paused, and the Duke turned to face her. “Will you be all right now?” he asked.
She looked up. He was watching her. Not like the others did, and certainly not with pity or amusement. He was simply studying her. This did not make her feel any better, or more confident.
May took a slow breath. “Yes. I believe so.”
Her cheeks were burning again, and she was quite certain he noticed. Then she heard hoofbeats. Fear surged through her, and grabbing his arm, she shoved him into the hedge beside them.
He went without resistance, chuckling as he ducked among the bushes. A rider approached, fast, and she squinted to identify him. As he neared, she saw it was August. May blinked and peered harder to ensure she had it rightthistime.
August swung off his mount and strode toward her. “Why on earth did you leave without me? I had to borrow one of Theo’s horses to find you.” He looked around as if checking for intruders.
