Page 39 of The Duke's Lesson in Love

That was beside the point, and he knew it. “So, you avoided confiding in me because you knew I would say no?”

His mouth pressed into a firm line.

“Brilliant.” She pointed a finger at his chest. “I am not the woman you fell in love with as a boy, Your Grace, to be handled as though I cannot be trusted.” Sadie regretted the words as they slipped past her tongue. Yes, she did not like being a pawn in anyone’s game, but mentioning the cause of his pain was unnecessary. Especially after his staunch defense of her. She sighed. “I am sorry. I did not mean to hurt you.”

“You and she have no similarities,” he said, shocking her. “You are correct. I should have asked as a gentleman should. As is your due.”

Sadie nodded. “Perhaps after you have rested—”

“Would you have said yes?” He watched her closely. Too close not to notice the flush staining her neck.

Would she have, if marriage meant having a family? Edwin—the child she had raised from infancy? Would she have said yes despite their class differences, simply to belong or because each day she spent in his lordship’s company set her blood on fire? “We shall never know, shall we?” Her face tilted as he closed the distance between them. The faint scent of lavender from the salve he used to relieve the tightening scars on his back tickled her nose.

Though she had seen his back many times over the last two days, thinking of the marks still turned her stomach. Someone had whipped him, and her fist curled to know who. As the heir to a Dukedom, it had to be a person who commanded power over him. She shuddered to think a new guardian could expose Edwin to the same treatment. Many Blacks in her community bore the same marks, and she had instantly recognized the scars for what they were.

There was so much she wanted to know. So much of himself he kept hidden under a protective shield.

“I’ve laid out the practical reasons why we should marry—”

She hugged herself. Of course, his reasoning was based on practicality.

“—or I could share the ones based on tender emotions?”

He held tender emotions for her?

Even as she cleared her throat, Sadie could not help flattening a palm against her collar to ease the growing heat there.

Practicality had always served her best in the past. “What possible advantages could you have for marrying me other than to help Edwin?” There were no illusions of what she offered—no dowry, title, or backing of a strong family alliance. She knew enough of his world to know marriage for love—though neither claimed that particular emotion—was a privilege few enjoyed.

He took her hand in his, boldly pressing his lips to the back of her knuckles. “After marriage, no one will question your right to guardianship and you’ll have my entire fortune at your disposal to protect Edwin from another mishap like the one we escaped from.”

Her gaze roamed over his injured shoulder concealed under the tailcoat. He was lucky the bullet had not ripped apart any vital vessels. The doctor assured them it could have been much worse. Lord Gilleasbuig was strong and fit, all signs that ensured a speedy recovery.

Hope bubbled in her throat at the possibility.

“Being a bastard, he will not inherit the Dukedom, but I can make sure a generous sum is set aside for both of you.” He held her gaze. “This is me protecting both of you, Sadie.”

The intimate whisper of her name sent a flutter from the pit of her stomach to her core. Could it be this simple to have all the things she had long given up hope for?

He spoke no words of love for her, only for his son, but from the fullness in her heart, she knew that if she had enough love for Edwin, her heart would overflow for his father.

“On our return to England, we will fly the banners and make a proper announcement.”

She barely heard the words. Her ears and heart filled with wishful promises of a family.

“Miss Sadie Meredith Fields, will you do me the honor of becoming the Duchess of Montdale House. Will you be my wife?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

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