Page 40 of By No Means a Gentleman
Straight to the point. Then she would be as well. “Yes.”
“Do you possess so little belief in your charm?”
Harriet almost laughed out loud. “What I want to know, Duke, is why he is so determined to marry me so hastily. Charm has little to do with his motives, I’m sure.”
“He has told you about the wagers?”
She scoffed. “That is not a reason.”
That earned her a brow lift. “Do you know what the wagers entail?”
“I don’t care about wagers or lists or the people behind them. They have little to do with me. I only care why I am being chased down by a crazy marquess.”
“Ah well, I can’t answer to that,” the duke said.
“But you know, don’t you?”
“Perhaps.”
Harriet wanted to punch the man. “But you’re not going to tell me?”
He shrugged. “It’s not for me to do so.”
“Not even when the man himself won’t tell me? Not even if it will help dispel my reservations?” He opened his mouth to reply, but Harriet cut him off. “No,timewill tell, isn’t that right?”
“I have all the faith in the world that Leeds will banish your worries. You should give him a chance. You might be pleasantly surprised.”
“We shall see.”
They fell into a lengthy silence, but again, not the uncomfortable sort. Harriet didn’t mind. Her brain had still to wake from its slumber. Her gaze swept over the room, taking in more detail. This would be her home after today.Couldbe. Would be?
Harriet couldn’t quite describe her feelings on the matter. The desire to test and challenge Leeds hadn’t disappeared. In fact, it had burrowed deeper, and yet a shift seemed to have taken place in her mind. But another element had risen to take its place next to her goal to test Leeds. The desire to hack away at all his layers until she got to his hidden truth.
She didn’t know what the marquess might want besides her dowry, but one thing she did know... he was not getting anything else until she reached the very core of him. Not her body. Not her heart. Not her soul.
Had he fought for her?
Chasing her down. Jumping into the Thames. Swimming after a ship. That certainly counted, even if just a fraction.
However, his willingness to weather the storms to Charleston, the concern in his voice when her legs gave out on the beach, his outrage at what Cromby had done to her, and yes, even the clasp of his hand during the night, these were what made Harriet realize...
He is fighting.
In his own way, Leeds fought for what he wanted. And for whatever reason, he wanted her.
Is it enough?
Before she could answer that heavy-laden question, Harriet first required a bath. One did not venture into a life-altering decision without a fresh mind, fresh spirit, and a fresh set of clothes.
Her gaze slid to the door.
Shecouldring for a footman to prepare a bath for her. She glanced from her crumpled attire to the travel bag at the door. Had she not been so stubborn, she could have enjoyed a bath at the inn. But would Leeds have left her side?
Yes, he would have. Don’t blame the man for your laziness, Harriet.
Fine. She’d been too lazy.
A light snore reached her ears.
