Lady Vivian Defies a Duke - By Samantha Grace Page 0,13

relieved that his disclosure and inappropriateness hadn’t rattled her as much as he had feared. “Even partial honesty would be appreciated, my lady.”

Her gaze dropped to the ground. “Right,” she mumbled. “A little censorship might be in order.”

He captured her hands again and urged her to look at him. “On second thought, be fiercely honest. What were you thinking a moment ago?”

She tried to ease her hands from his grasp, but he held on tight. Whether it was by instinct or will, he didn’t know, but she curled her fingers around his and secured the link between them.

Her swallow was audible. “I was thinking how much I regret messing up our agreement. I never imagined you would be so handsome, Your Grace.”

Luke laughed, reveling in the warmth swirling around in his chest. He was not naive when it came to marriage. Mutual attraction couldn’t sustain a happy union over the years, and there was no question that he was unusually attracted to the lady. Nevertheless, he had witnessed the subsequent misery of many gentlemen who were swept up by lustful urges then disappointed when the bloom of beauty faded. These were the gents sleeping at White’s every evening, complaining about their greedy mistresses and harpy wives.

He still took pleasure in Lady Vivian’s admission.

“I have no intention of dishonoring my father’s word, my lady.” He noted the lifting of her arched brows. “But perhaps you will do me the honor of speaking with your brother so we may both be freed.”

Five

Vivi jerked her hands from Foxhaven’s grasp, jumped up, and tripped backward over the stool. The duke lunged for her, but she fell hard on her backside in the dirt.

The cow swung her head toward Vivi and fixed a sad brown eye on her.

“Don’t you dare feel sorry for me,” she blurted.

Foxhaven stepped over the stool and hauled her from the ground. “Why would I feel sorry for you?”

“Not you.” Vivi dusted off her hands and jabbed a finger toward the cow. “Maggie. I don’t want her pity.”

His gaze shot between Maggie and her. His forehead wrinkled. “I see this has been a shock, Lady Vivian. Perhaps you should go lie down and we can resume our discussion later.”

There was no discussion to be had. She couldn’t ask her brother to release her from the agreement.

Foxhaven bobbed his head so he was in her line of vision again. The lines between his brows deepened. “Are you all right? You didn’t sustain an injury, did you?”

Aside from a throbbing bum, no. Unless she counted her wounded pride. Tears burned at the back of her eyes. “I have no need to lie down, Your Grace. Now, if you will excuse me, I am changing my attire and going for my morning ride. You—you have turned everything topsy-turvy with your arrival, and I’ll not stand for it any longer.”

She tried to step around Foxhaven before she blubbered a river, but he blocked her retreat. “Wait a moment. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Upset her? Ha! She was not upset. Try devastated. Reeling. Desperate. “I have no say in our betrothal, Your Grace. My brother has made his decision.”

“Every lady should have a voice in whom she marries. Surely Ashden will listen if you try to reason with him. Your brother is too stubborn to listen to my arguments, but no good can come from this match.”

Vivi drew back. How blunt he was, and hurtful. He had made a judgment as to her suitability before he had even arrived. She pulled herself up to full height, determined to hang on to the last scraps of her dignity.

“I cannot speak with my brother. I bid you good day.”

Again she tried to escape the stall, but he lightly captured her shoulders. His touch muddled her mind and set every nerve ending aflame.

“Lady Vivian, please be reasonable. We don’t even know each other.”

“Then take your hands from my person before I remove them from your person.”

Foxhaven’s eyes rounded. He had vivid blue eyes. Bluer than anything she had ever seen. Perhaps as blue as the sea. Oh, why had she admitted she found him handsome? This was humiliating beyond the pale.

He exhaled forcefully, stirring the curls on his forehead. “Lady Vivian, could we please start anew? I will release you if you promise not to run.”

“I want to go for a ride,” she murmured. “Please.”

Foxhaven sighed and relaxed his hold. “Of course, my lady. I don’t wish to disturb your routine any more than I already have.” He