Page 13 of Stolen By the Duke of Ice
Peter held up his hand.
“If you would allow me to finish, My Lord.”
The older man nodded.
“With everything that has happened and that has come to light last night, it’s quite obvious that the best solution is that your daughter and I marry. Thus, I am here to ask for your daughter, Lady Dahlia Hill’s hand in marriage.”
“I will be honest and say that we had been discussing this very dilemma before you called.” The Marquess ran his hand over his forehead. He looked at his wife, who nodded, then at his daughter who stood colorless, her red hair forming a stark contrast to her pale skin. “Your Grace, I will give you my daughter’s hand in marriage.”
“Thank you, I am honored by your acceptance, Sir.”
“The honor is mine, Your Grace.”
The Marquess stood up as did Peter. The older man motioned for Dahlia to come closer. She was still silent, but some color had returned to her face. When she faced her betrothed, he took her hand and kissed it with a bow. Her replying curtsy seemed to wobble in Peter’s opinion, but she did not faint, so he must count that as something.
“My Lord…” He faced the Marquess. “… might I have a private word with your daughter?”
Dahlia’s stomach sank; indeed, it was still sinking lower and lower as she watched her parents close the door behind them.
“My Lady,” Peter spoke from behind her. “Dahlia, if you would be so kind as to face me.”
She took a deep breath then turned around.
“Have you nothing to say?”
“You have said all that needed to be said, Your Grace.”
“I do have ears you, know.” Here Peter could not help but smile. “You certainly said many things as well.”
Suddenly red in the face, her hands fisted at her sides.
“All of them true, I daresay!”
“Yes, I suppose I am considered handsome and tall, intelligent too.”
“Oh! You!”
“Dahlia, come. Let us make the most of this hand that life has dealt us.” He spoke evenly, calmly.
“Yes, I am sure it was “life” alone which dealt me this hand.”
“And what is that supposed to mean, Madam?”
“You could have just let Benson and me leave on our own. You could have just given me back the manuscript! Then all of this could have been avoided!”
She heard him grit his teeth.
“Or maybe I could have just let the hijacker have his way. I could have just ignored the scandal about a certain lady who writes novels about a certain duke.” His voice had grown cold, his speech biting. “Being a man, I am sure that would have been not so difficult for me.”
“Tell me,Peter…” Dahlia raised her face as close to his as she could, anger in her eyes. “… why even bother talking to me about our engagement? You and my father have already agreed to it. You do not need me to say yes; indeed, I have not even been given a choice.” The tears she did not know she was holding back rolled down her cheeks.
“Is that what has you angry? That you were not given a choice? A chance to findthe one?”
Dahlia gasped.What sheer impudence!
“It’s easy for a man to laugh at such notions. You have never battled with the world as only women do.”
“Do I look like I’m laughing?” He moved closer still. His hand went up silently to her face. His fingers brushed at the tears that streaked her cheeks.
