Page 27 of A Duke Makes a Deal
“It would benefit us both. If we were seen together, my position would undoubtedly squelch any rumors about your, well, provincial upbringing.”
“Provincial upbringing?” she repeated, annoyed. The duke nodded. “That still doesn’t tell me how you would benefit from this arrangement.”
A shadow passed over his face and Clara was curious as to why he seemed to hesitate.
“I believe you would be helpful to me,” he said slowly, his eyes dropping for a moment.
“In what way?”
He became shuttered as he turned away from her, his hands clasped tightly behind his back.
“Does it matter? I wish to help alleviate some of the damage my wager with Dilworth has caused you.” He turned back to see her and Clara felt her heart jump slightly at the unmistakable discomfort she saw in his eyes. “Will you accept my help?”
Curious as to why he should be in any sort of pain, Clara tilted her head in consideration.
“You wish to form a partnership then? To bring up both our stocks in the eyes of the ton?”
“In a way, yes.”
There was something in his eyes that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. It was a clever plan, Clara had to admit but she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something else he wasn’t telling her.
“So, this is your olive branch then? To help smooth over my reputation, while fixing yours as well?”
“Yes.”
It was a stretch, but if it meant she could escape the number of suitors who were already beginning to line up at her doorstep, she thought it was worth it. She held out her hand.
“Very well, I accept,” she said quickly. “You may court me.”
The duke’s brow lifted in surprise. His eyes dropped to her outstretched hand before taking it. Clara ignored the shiver that shot down her spine as his large hand enclosed around her gloved fingers.
“Just like that?” he asked, his tone oddly low.
“It is a smart plan and I don’t find you objectionable. Besides, you said you wouldn’t leave until I agreed. I agree, which means you may leave.”
He smiled and the crinkle at the corner of his dark eyes caused a strange sort of flutter in her stomach. He pulled her towards him.
“Are you only agreeing to get rid of me?”
She pulled her hand out of his grasp, ignoring the spark she felt. She was wary of how he made her feel both giddy and irritated at the same time.
“Possibly.”
“Fair enough,” he said, taking a step away from her. For a moment she was afraid he might leave, but then he turned around and she noticed a sheepish expression on his face. “I hope being linked to me won’t cause you more trouble.”
“What trouble?” she asked.
“My history,” he said slowly. “There are people who don’t particularly care to associate with a divorced duke.”
She had overheard as much the night they met, but surely not everyone in society would think like that. Although, knowing the ton as she did now, she wouldn’t be surprised if they shunned even a duke.
“Your divorce is not a problem for me,” she said honestly, although she did intend to learn more about it now that they were linked. “Nor am I concerned with the opinions of others.”
The duke gazed at her with an intensity that made her catch her breath. What an odd feeling it was to be the center of hisattention. She felt as though he was staring right through her. Was this what it was like to be courted, truly, by someone who wasn’t simply after her fortune? She felt her cheek warm beneath his gaze and saw his eyes light with fire.
“Then I will call on you tomorrow,” he said.
“Very well,” she said with a nod. He turned to leave when she spoke. “Should we go for a promenade? Maybe around the park?”
