No Duke Will Do - Eva Devon Page 0,3
was completely out of place. Most men in the vicinity would make a meal of her in a moment. Even some of the ladies. “Still, it’s the truth.”
“Well, I may be a rabbit amongst wolves, but this rabbit is going to keep her senses about her.”
He laughed at that. He couldn’t help himself.
She was so upright, so direct, and he enjoyed it very much. He was used to the frivolous goings-on and manipulations of the aristocracy. Usually, he had no time for it, but this was different.
“So you’ve come to bargain,” he said, palming his snifter.
“Yes,” she stated. “I don’t wish to marry you.”
Ah. Here it was. He swirled his brandy as he let her declaration linger in the room.
Then took a long sip of the French liquor. “You don’t think me a winning prospect? I have a great deal of money, you know?”
“Money is important,” she agreed. “But I have no wish to marry a man like you.”
He nodded his agreement. Of course she didn’t. A man like him? He must seem like the devil himself. It was tempting to reveal his own thoughts about this matter. . . But some strange part of him, urged him to see just how far she would take this.
“Well, then, what is it you wish?” he asked.
Her eyes sparkled with fire as she squared her shoulders. “I. . . I wish to come to some sort of agreement in which you will eradicate my father’s debt and allow him free, and thus, allow me to be free as well.”
Bloody hell, she was beautiful. He found himself longing to rip back the hood of her cloak to view her more fully. To see the clearly dark coils that framed her pale face. Perhaps strip the rest of her clothes too. To see if she was as perfect as she seemed.
He gave his head a single shake before he growled lowly. “Freedom is not possible for a woman.”
She tensed, her jaw fairly gnashing. “I admit that is largely true, but I have no desire to shackle myself at this present point. I’m sure you don’t really wish to marry, either.”
“How do you know?” he queried, watching her shift in her discomfort. “I might find the idea of being married to a grand lady most acceptable. Think of the respectability you’d lend to my work.”
Which was absolutely ridiculous. He had no intention of marrying a woman who would do nothing but be a burden and a shining bauble that would adorn his work.
He had no wish, either, to be shackled with someone who would complain and bemoan the fact she’d been forced to marry him. It was rather absurd that the duke had thought he’d be interested in such a thing.
Still, it was part of Heath’s modus operandi, to allow people to speak and hang themselves with their own words.
He swirled the brandy slowly, more for show than to actually drink. He liked a sharp mind.
Slowly, he crossed to the fireplace mantle and leaned against it. “Go ahead, Lady Mary,” he said. “I’m most intrigued to hear what you have to say.”
She folded her hands before her fully cloaked body. Good God. She was such a little nun. She clearly knew nothing of men, and she knew nothing of the fact that she was beautiful. He let his gaze sweep over her. Her dark hair curled about an elfin face. Yes, elfin.
That was the only way to describe it.
He had not been raised on stories of the wee folk, but he still understood that in the country, people thought bewitching creatures came out of their fairy mounds and lulled one to their destruction.
He was not one to be lulled.
Still, her bright eyes were razor-sharp at the moment. She tilted her head to the side.
Hell and damnation. He couldn’t even see the color of her gown. He wondered if she was dressed as prudishly as she appeared.
Still, she was no prude.
Not if she was here. Not if she was about to do what he thought she might.
He needed to hear her say it, though.
Perhaps it was unkind of him, but he would make no assumptions. Besides, he wasn’t particularly given to kindness. A man in his position could not be.
“I will spend a night with you,” she said in a rush.
“A night?” he echoed. “My goodness,” he drawled in faux plummy tones. “What ever are you suggesting, Lady Mary?”
She rocked on her feet. The muscles of her throat worked as she clearly dared herself to get