“No, you’ll be quiet and let me handle the matter,” he said with quiet authority.
She was only going to dig herself into a deeper hole than she had already dug for herself if she told the onlookers it was Caruthers she had lured into the garden.Did she not realize she might be forced to marry the wretch?
Alex would never allow this to happen.“Tulip, close your eyes.”
She widened them.“What?Why?”
“Because I am going to kiss you.Do you or do you not want a first kiss?Would you mind terribly if it was with me?”
“Why wouldyouever want to kissme?And why now when everyone is watching?”She gasped, suddenly realizing the implications.
“Quickly now, yes or no.They are marching down the stairs toward us.”
“Are you mad?It will ruin you.”
“To be precise, it will ruinyou.It has already ruined you.”
“And you are determined to save me?”
He nodded.“It is me or Caruthers.Do you mind becoming my duchess?”
“Yours?But–”
“Choose, Tulip.”
“You.”
He drew her into his arms and kissed her with all the heartfelt sincerity he could muster, which was surprisingly a lot because he actually liked her.
In addition to her obvious physical charms, she had shown moral rectitude.What other young lady would have apologized to him and Caruthers?What other young lady would have felt any remorse for her mistake and not blamed anyone but herself for her lapse in judgment?
What other young lady would have sought to protecthim?
But was it not up to Alex to protect her?
“Wise choice,” he murmured, pressing his lips deeper onto her slightly open mouth that was open because she was still trying to talk sense into him, but he was beyond listening.Nor would anyone else among the approaching throng ever listen to what she had to say in her own defense.
They had seen her standing beside him in the shadows of Lady Fullerton’s garden and were already poisoned by Caruthers’ lies into believing the worst had taken place.
That beast was determined to destroy the sweet innocent forever.
Alex counted to three before removing his mouth from hers, already regretting the end of their kiss because she had the prettiest lips, soft and plump, and they tasted of mint and champagne.
He stared down at her.
She appeared distraught as she returned his gaze.“Why did you do this?Don’t you realize what this means?”
He nodded.“You’ve just received your first kiss…and your first marriage proposal.”
CHAPTER 2
TULIP’S STOMACH BEGANto twist in knots as she watched the family patriarch, John Farthingale, stride down the steps of Lady Fullerton’s terrace in an obvious rage.“Tulip, what in the name of heaven?”
“Oh, dear,” she whispered, watching his approach with trepidation.
“I have you,” Alexander Havers, this new Duke of Davenport, responded with surprising calm.
She had to admire him for his cool resolve as he slid a proprietary arm around her waist, all the while knowing what was about to happen.
