Page 10 of Claimed By the Duke of Ice

“I am most gracious for your offer, Lady Yorkston, but I have already promised to dine with my aunt,” he apologized as he stood up. “She will be very expectant to find out the result of my visit and will no doubt want to pay one herself to get to know my future bride.”

Which would be me, Grace thought, finding his disposition a bit pompous. You know, the woman you barely spoke to throughout this conversation.

“Of course, of course,” her mother agreed in a sing-song voice. She went to touch Nathaniel’s arm, and once more, Grace watched as her new fiancé avoided her parents’ touch. Instead, he stepped out of her reach and bowed to her politely.

“Darling, why don’t you escort your fiancé to the front door?” Susan asked, turning her attention to Grace. “Your father and I have much to discuss.”

“Yes, Mama,” Grace agreed, standing up.

“You truly mean to marry me, Your Grace?” Grace asked as soon as she and Nathaniel stepped out into the hall.

A look of surprise came over Nathaniel’s handsome face as she asked her question, and a small smile graced his lips.

“I always keep my word,” he replied, his gloved hands going behind his back as they walked.

“And you? Do you truly mean to marry me?” he asked.

I have no choice now, do I? she thought.

“I, too, keep my word,” she replied instead. “But I do have a question, Your Grace.”

Nathaniel paused and turned to face her.

“Call me Nathaniel, please,” he insisted, his voice suddenly very gentle. “And please, ask whatever you like.” His tone caught her by surprise and smoothed away some of her doubt.

“You don’t like touching other people, do you?” she asked boldly. He looked at her in surprise but then nodded.

“I must admit that I am not apt at giving or receiving touch,” he confessed. “Is that really what you wanted to ask me?”

“Yes,” Grace agreed, “but only so I could properly frame my next question. If you abhor touch, why did you kiss me at the Harvey’s dinner party?”

Nathaniel seemed to go very still for a moment then a small smile touched his lips as he continued walking, giving Grace no choice but to start walking with him.

“Life is a curious thing, is it not?” he asked, approaching the door. “We believe there is an order to things and then so quickly can be proven wrong.”

“You’re not answering the question,” Grace replied with a light laugh.

“I’m not?” he asked, feigning shock. “How rude of me.”

“Rude indeed,” Grace replied wittily.

Nathaniel’s small smile grew bigger, and they continued to gaze at one another as the butler handed him his hat and opened the door.

“It was a pleasure speaking with you and your parents today,” he continued. “I am thrilled with the agreement we were able to reach.”

“As am I,” she agreed, still not believing what had just transpired.

* * *

“You’re getting married to a Duke!” Letitia squealed at dinner, throwing her arms around her big sister. Grace smiled down at seventeen-year-old Letitia affectionately and hugged her back.

“Indeed, I am,” she agreed, wishing she was as excited about the news as the rest of her family.

Wanting to celebrate, her parents had sent a messenger to Matilda and Simon’s house almost immediately, and they had dropped everything upon hearing the news to come over. At dinner, everyone was abuzz, their excitement so intense that they all talked over one another. What date would the church allow the ceremony? How soon could the Duke acquire the necessary paperwork? Who would be invited? What color would Grace’s dress be?

Grace played her part well, answering what questions she could and feigning pre-marital excitement when she couldn’t. But now she was growing weary and wanted nothing more than to be alone, so she could think.

The Duke had been rude at times during his visit but playful and kind during others. It confused her, and she wasn’t sure at all how she felt about the man she had just agreed to marry.

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