The Duke nodded, encouraged.
“I observed you. I find that you fit the criteria of what I am looking for.”
Prim studied him. Abigail was not wrong. This man is incapable of emotions, but he is candid and honest. It was unnerving to see him so devoid of feelings, but his sincerity should be appreciated.
Would he build a garden for you?
No. Leo was right. He wouldn’t build her a garden. He wouldn’t surprise her because that had so many unknown variables. He wouldn’t talk to her about his troubles or listen to hers because talking is inefficient. And he wouldn’t kiss senselessly because it was a waste of energy.
“Your observation was enough for such a big step?” Prim honestly asked.
“Yes. You displayed memorable loyalty to your sisters, you navigated the society with efficiency despite the hindrance of the scandal, and you showed an admirable lack of hysterics.”
Prim’s cup hit the saucer. She couldn’t help it. A small, dry laugh escaped her. All the gentlemen of the ton tried witty acrobatics to be amusing. They should have tried brutal honesty.
“High praise, Your Grace.”
“I would like you to consider becoming my wife.”
Prim had to admit it. She, like every other lady growing up, dreamed of the marriage proposal. If that was the only purposethat was allowed to her by society, she sure would contemplate it. On all the scenarios she had conjured through the years, this one was impossible to conceive.
She didn’t respond. She knew the Duke expected to do as he asked. To consider. A hasty answer would be disapproved.
“I believe it is customary,” the Duke continued, “for a suitor to offer gifts.”
Prim frowned. Even as he uttered those words, she knew that this was not a big gesture, merely an item on the “Find A Wife” list that he needed to cross. He reached into his jacket and procured a blue velvet box.
She dared a glance over the Duke’s shoulder. Her parents were there at the settee right across from her, the twins with backs to her. And both her mother and father wore a sour expression on their faces. Prim knew why, but didn’t get the chance to think more about it.
“This is my gift to you,” the Duke opened the box.
There it lay a priceless necklace. In the center was a big sapphire stone, azure and clear, a piece of the frozen sky. It was surrounded by precious diamonds that accentuated the clarity of the piece. Six delicate strands of pearls secured the necklace around the neck. It was a rare piece.
“This is…” Prim didn’t know what to make of such a valuable jewel. “Sufficient for the purpose. Perhaps a little too much.”
He nodded at the answer without insult. The jewel was not chosen for sentiment. He wasn’t thinking of her when he did. Perhaps he had bought it already to give to the most promising candidate. This was not a gift for her personally, it was a taste of what being the Duchess of Greyhaven would entail.
“It is yours,” the Duke placed the box in her care.
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
Behind him, her parents were stewing in their juices. The Duke didn’t even glance at the twins, and now he was proposing to Prim with a coveted piece of jewelry. Her mother was looking at her as if she had stolen the necklace from her sisters’ necks. Her father’s look accused her of being spoiled.
They had hoped that one of the twins would marry the Duke of Greyhaven, they believed in that brief moment of delusion when he arrived that they had secured a proposal for the twins, only for Prim to ruin everything.
“I will not take up any more of your time, Miss Primrose,” the Duke got up.
Prim was taken aback by his abrupt manner, but then softly smiled. He had come with a purpose, a list, a request, and an item. He had stated with intentions clearly and presented hisgift, so there was no need for more dallying. He was bowing when the butler entered.
“The Duke of Mildenhall calling upon Miss Primrose.”
Her heart, which was running perfectly smoothly even when the Duke proposed to her, now jumped against her ribcage, threatening to burst out. Leo was here. Now.
When Leo entered the room, the room shattered. She shattered, and half of her flew back to that terrace last night.Absolutely not, she demanded of her mind.
He looked devastating this morning in his black suit, perfectly draped across his sturdy body, walking with a confident prowl and that side smile of his. Then he saw the Duke of Greyhaven standing by her chair.
“Greyhaven,” Leo’s tone was drawled.
