Page 36 of The Duke's Unclaimed Bride
“One you’ve clearly practiced.”
“Daily. In the mirror, I growl at my reflection until it apologizes,” he scoffed.
Edith laughed despite herself.
Laurence’s eyes drifted down to Tilly, and he gently put his hand on her small shoulder. “Chin up, little one. You need not concern yourself with the prattle of those people.”
Tilly nodded in response but didn’t look up.
Laurence glanced into the store window and then at Edith. He pulled away and walked inside.
Edith crouched down to Tilly’s eye level. “They were being cruel for cruelty’s sake. Not because it was true,” she said softly.
Tilly nodded, wiping her eyes.
Edith took out a handkerchief and handed it to Tilly, who took it and wiped her face. A moment later, Laurence returned.
“Now, Tilly, if I give you something to make up for the cruel things those men said, you must promise not to be spoiled. Can you do that?” he asked.
Edith noticed that he was hiding something behind his back and looked at him with curiosity.
Finally, Tilly nodded, and Laurence held out the doll she had been wishing for. The little girl gasped in joy and took it from him.
“Your Grace! Oh! Thank you!” she cried out, squeezing the doll to her chest.
“You are welcome, Tilly,” he said softly. He turned to look at Edith. “Her manners do seem to be improving somewhat.”
“I am doing my best to teach her.” Edith smiled. “Speaking of, we should buy some more lemon drops, Tilly.”
The little girl nodded eagerly, and Laurence raised an eyebrow.
“Whatever do lemon drops and manners have to connect them?” he asked.
“Every time I learn a new rule or get a question right, I get a lemon drop.” Tilly beamed.
Edith watched Laurence freeze and clench his jaw. For a moment, she worried he would try to impose his opinion on the situation.
“Then I think we will need a lot more lemon drops,” he sighed, making Tilly laugh.
Edith blinked in surprise but followed them both toward the confectionery shop nonetheless.
“So, you are now using bribery, Duchess?” Laurence asked as they went.
“I call it incentivization.”
“Is there a difference?” he asked, the corner of his mouth twitching.
“One sounds far more respectable,” Edith quipped.
“Indeed.” He leaned close to her. “And doyouget a reward for good behavior?”
Heat crept up Edith’s neck as Laurence’s breath brushed her ear. Her throat tightened as she tried to force away the image of him in the pond.
“That depends.” She cleared her throat, which had become uncomfortably dry.
“On?” he prompted, tilting his head.
“On who is offering,” she replied.
