Natalie opened her mouth to tell him he was being ridiculous, but stopped when she saw the dark look on his face. She swallowed.
“I was only thinking of the expense. It seemed a waste to have a new dress,” she muttered.
“Do I look like some pauper to you? I will not marry a woman in a dress made for another man. I will not havehisleftovers.” The Duke looked at her. “You will wear a new dress, do I make myself clear?”
Natalie met the Duke’s gaze, anger warring with fear within her. Some reckless part of her wanted to refuse, to say that if that was how he felt, she would not marry him. But she knew this was the best offer she would get.
“Crystal.” She said, sweetly. “I believe you said you would give me a proper proposal.”
“I did.” The Duke’s anger seemed to fade, and the more familiar arrogance returned to his face. “Would you do the honour of being my wife, Lady Natalie?”
He did not kneel, his eyes full of challenge. Natalie smiled. “I will.”
“Then it is settled.” The Duke held out an arm to her, and she took it.
She would let him think he had won. He won the battle, she would admit that. But she intended to win the war.
Chapter Six
“And what exactly are you doing under there?” Adrian asked, peering under the desk in his study, a few hours after his talk with Lady Natalie.
Melody peered back at him, clutching a small doll to her chest. Adrian had spent the last hour looking for his daughter, checking all of her usual spots and growing more and more concerned.
He let the wave of relief wash over him, and kept his face as neutral as possible as he knelt down beside her.
“Hiding.” Melody replied simply.
“Why?” Adrian asked.
Melody shook her head. “It is Thursday. You are supposed to be home on Thursdays.”
“I had some urgent business to take care of.” Adrian explained. “I have been away on Thursdays before now.”
“But not for a long time,” Melody pointed out. “Nanny Green says I must get used to change.”
“She is right. Change is a part of life.”
“But I do not like it.”
“Sometimes, we have to do things we do not like. And sometimes change can be good.”
“Like what?”
“Well, you know that I did not remarry after your mother… passed away.”
Melody nodded. “Nanny says it is good for men to have a wife. And that I need a mother.”
Adrian suppressed the stab of irritation. “And what do you think?”
Melody paused. “Well… I think maybe a wife would be good for you. Everyone says a man needs one, so you should have one.”
“Then you will be pleased to know I have found one.” Adrian said.
“Are you in love?” She frowned at him.
Adrian always tried very hard not to lie to his daughter, and decided to sidestep the question.She is too young to learn the truth of the world.“I think she will be a wonderful addition to our family. And that it will be good to have a woman’s touch about the house.”
“But Mrs. Hawthorne is a woman.” Melody pointed out.
