Page 16 of The Wise Daughter
Nora took a step back. “And if I am not prepared to take the risk, Your Grace?”
“Then allow me to mitigate it. If at the end of one month, you do not wish to marry me, I shall grant you and your father a living among my holdings, and…” He seemed to be considering what else he could say to entice her. “I’ll even provide you with a dowry of, shall we say five thousand pounds, should you wish to marry in the future.”
Nora caught her stomach. “So much?” A new home? A new dowry? A chance to start over? “Do I have your word on that, Your Grace?”
He lowered his head and placed a hand over his heart. “My absolute word.”
“Are you quite certain this is what you desire? I never expected...” Each breath grew more shallow.
“I hope this will mark the beginning of many things I can offer you.”
Dreams of romance melted away. Ridiculous wishes were entirely forgotten. It was time to be practical. A handsome duke was offering her everything she needed and more. She no longer saw any rational reason why she should refuse him.
And perhaps… perhaps he may surprise me.
He limped toward her, unable to completely hide a grimace, and Nora again saw him as the man injured on the riverbank. She didn’t need to know him well to despise the thought that thieves had hurt him and could hurt him further if they were not caught.
Perhaps it was because she had already invested her time and strength into helping him avoid a terrible fate that night, but a determination cinched inside her. If he was willing to grant her and her father another chance, she could go to great lengths to help him. If she put her skills and intellect to the test and helped him uncover the thieves, he would be so grateful, he would not begrudge her ultimate refusal. It was the one thing she could give him regardless of whether she could go through with the marriage.
“I’d like to add my own condition, Your Grace.”
“Oh? What is it?”
“That you allow me to help unravel your troubles with these thieves. Since you are willing to be so generous, I want to offer something in return. I promise to do whatever I can to discover who the criminals are.”
His handsome features lowered into a frown. “I don’t want you worrying yourself with my troubles.”
“But I insist. Running a household in West Riding while suffering through my father’s gambling gave me much more experience putting my mind to work on this sort of matter than you might think. Thieves come in many forms.”
He seemed to consider her words, then paced a few steps and stared at the fire. “Your offer shows what a truly generous heart you have. For me, that’s enough. Could we not leave it at that? I cannot ask you to put yourself in danger.”
“You’re not asking. I’m insisting. Please.” Nora had to be firm about this. If she could not offer something in return, she could not enter into such a slanted agreement.
He let out one long breath. “Very well, but only if you promise to exercise caution. So long as you are careful, we’ll find the thieves together.”
“Then I accept your proposal.” The words were dry in her throat and drier on her lips, but they were spoken nonetheless.
She clasped her hands together and held very still as he studied her. His green eyes reminded her of vibrant moss and budding leaves.
“May I call you Honora?”
“Nora,” she breathed out, already sinking another step deeper into the engagement than she wanted to be.
“Nora.” The smile she had been waiting for appeared, sending heat into her face that must have rivaled the smoldering embers. “Thank you, Nora. I believe we may now consider ourselves engaged.”
He stepped close and brushed back a loose strand of her hair. Her breath caught in her throat. He wouldn’t attempt a kiss, would he? Never mind their engagement. They were strangers! She hadn’t thought he would take such liberties with her so early in their fragile acquaintance.
But as he moved close enough for her to see flickers of fire dancing in those green eyes, she asked herself,Do I want to object?
Of course, I do! I should absolutely object! As soon as he moves closer, I’ll move back.
But he wasn’t moving any closer. He only looked at her, gently fingering another strand of pale hair. Her breath finally loosened, and she caught the pleasant scent of burning wood and something warm like spiced oranges, reminding her of evenings eating sweets and roasting nuts. She wrung her fingers together to keep herself from leaning in for a deeper breath. She needed an escape, a distraction, anything to interrupt the knots tightening in her chest. Her fingers wrapped around cold metal.
“Here!” She held up the ring she had forgotten about and spoke quickly. “I found this after you rode off with Locket. I believe it is yours.”
He took the ring and examined it, his brows drawing together. “Why, this is my signet ring,Dfor Derricott.” He clenched the ring in a fist and looked off to the side as if he could see the men who had beaten him running away. “Again, you’ve saved me from trouble, Nora. Imagine what kind of mischief the thieves could have caused with the power to counterfeit my seal. I’m glad you found it.” He looked the ring over, then took her hand. “I would like this to be my first gift to you.”
“To me? Won’t you need it?”
