Page 46 of The Heiress Gets a Duke
“The things you say to me are outrageous. I like you all the more for them.”
“You like that I insult you?”
He gave a soft laugh. “No. I like that you are honest with me. Your honesty is one of the things that drew me to you.”
Having not expected that bit of flattery, she looked down. Was it even flattery? When most men flattered her, it was always about appearances or other superficial things.That she was prepared for. This took her by surprise. Was it wrong to like it?
“Something happened inside. Will you tell me?” After a brief pause, he added, “Please.”
She hated that the entreaty made her open her mouth. Perhaps it was also because he still stood in his shirtsleeves instead of shrugging into his tailcoat, not caring that anyone might come upon them. His brows pulled together in gentle concern as he waited. “I overheard my father and Lord Farthington talking.”
“Ah, the railway.”
“You know about that?”
“Of course.”
It should not surprise her at all. “Lord Farthington is refusing to allow our proposal to move forward unless a betrothal is announced.”
He was silent as his eyes skimmed over her face. “Is that really so very shocking?” he finally asked, his voice free of judgment.
“I suppose not.” Lord Farthington had implied as much at the meeting in Papa’s study. It was simply a shock to hear it out loud and put so plainly at that. All of a sudden she was overcome by the weight of failure. She had thought of nothing since this whole betrothal business began but how to get out of it. All of it had been for naught. She had never failed at something so spectacularly in her life.
“Have you given any thought to coming to Charrington Manor?”
She hadn’t even remembered that he had asked her until this very moment. “Why?”
“It would be good if you could see exactly what you would be agreeing to.”
“Why does it matter? Aren’t I obliged to marry you regardless of what I see there?”
He took a deep breath, his gaze fixing on hers so intently that she struggled to draw in anything more than a shallow breath. When he looked at her like that, as if he really saw her, something inside her threatened to crack open. Itfrightened her, because she didn’t know what would become of her when it did.
“No,” he said softly. “No, you do not have to accept.”
“Easy words to say when you do not have as much at stake.” A slash of pain crossed his face, and she wished to call the words back. He had good reasons for wanting this marriage; she understood that now even if she couldn’t accept it. “I only meant the railway and the deal with Parliament.”
“If you refuse me, then I likely cannot help with Farthington. I can, however, help to bring you other opportunities. For one, the new Royal Albert Dock. There are approvals and licenses being held up in government now as we speak. I can make certain that Crenshaw Iron Works is given the contract for the steel if you’re willing to set up an office here.”
Papa would not be happy about the railway. He would be furious, but if she could offer him something else, it might be enough. When Maxwell arrived, she would talk it over with him, and perhaps together they could help Papa see reason. It wasn’t as if losing the railway would cost the company money.
“Why would you do this?” The chill seeped through her skin, and she found herself rubbing her arms. He draped the coat over her shoulders, and she did not refuse him this time.
“Because I want you to give us a chance.” He paused and seemed to come to a resolution. “Come for a week.”
“And if we find we don’t suit?”
The corner of his mouth turned upward. “You know that we suit, August.”
She did know. His eyes had softened as they settled on her. She was no more exposed to him than she was to anyone else at this ball, but somehow his gaze saw more. The telltale whisper of butterfly wings moved in her belly. Swallowing, she said, “I will agree to come for a week, if you will agree to withdraw your offer at the conclusion of that week. Tell Papa that you cannot go through with it.”
“Come for a week, and if you still believe that you will hate marriage to me, then I will withdraw my offer.”
She gasped before she could stop herself, hardly able to believe that it could be so simple. Elation made her smile, but he interrupted her premature celebration.
“On one condition.”
She frowned. Of course there was a condition. He needed more wealth than Job, so he would not be willing to part with her so easily. “What is it?”
