For the first time, she felt a surge of frustration at her former self. Then, she hadn’t known—how could she have done—thatthiswould be the man she was turning down.
Then again, if she had married him, he would no doubt have prevented her from doing the thing she cared most about: her sculpting.
“Tell me something,” he said, and it sounded a little as though he was holding back far worse words. “Why do you persist in putting yourself in dangerous situations?”
“When I received—when…” She chewed on her lip and did her best to find a lie she could commit to. There were none. So, she gave a little of the truth. “If I had known what sort of party this was, I would never have agreed to attend.”
Another muscle in his jaw flexed. “Why were you there?”
“I was?—”
“The ambassador to Alessandro Rossi?” This time, when he looked at her, she could practically see the skepticism in his eyes. “Yes, so Sir Thomas said. Is that who you have positioned yourself as?”
“Positioned myself as?” Thalia shook her head, anger replacing her nervousness. “Thank you for your aid, Your Grace, but I must take my leave now.”
He caught her arm. “Do you have a carriage?”
“I would prefer to walk.”
“What a coincidence.” She thought she beheld the flash of a smile as he fell into place beside her. “So do I.”
“I have no further need of your assistance,” she said stiffly.
“Until you find someone else who wishes you harm. Judging by your record thus far, we will not have long to wait.”
Theaudacityof this man.
Thalia stuck her nose in the air; having almost forgotten the reason she was attempting to take her leave.
Unfortunately, the Duke himself reminded her. “I don’t believe this nonsense about being an ambassador, Lady Thalia, and I’m not a man inclined to let things go when I am defied, so you may as well tell me the truth.”
“What do you care?” she tried. “I know you despise Rossi’s work.”
“Ah.” He tipped his head back to the sky for a moment. “I suppose I only have myself to blame for that.”
“You said as much.”
“Yes, and I freely admit to being wrong. Did you think I purchased that statue for your sake alone? You must think me very rich.”
“Youarevery rich,” she pointed out, but her certainty faltered.
Yes, he was wealthy, but had she thought he had spent so much just to rescue her? Buying the statue was unnecessary for that goal; he could have taken her away through force or the power of his rank.
“You like it?” she asked hesitantly.
“I do,” he said. “It’s an excellent piece of artwork. Admittedly, I am not a connoisseur, but I like to think I have some grasp of quality.”
Inwardly, Thalia beamed. Outwardly, she peered at him suspiciously. “This is a turnaround.”
“I am skeptical of new trends and find they are often wanting. However, I was pleasantly surprised by Rossi. Do you doubt me? I will display the piece with pride.”
“Well.” Thalia felt her cheeks heat; the sincerity of the compliment was undeniable. “I’m pleased to hear it.”
“For what reason?” He tucked his hands behind his back as he strolled by her side, and for the first time in her life, she found it was rather pleasant to walk at night, when the lights of the city lit up the sky, and the cool wind eased the burn of her cheeks. “Could it be, Lady Thalia, that you are far more than a mere ambassador of Alessandro Rossi’s?”
Thalia hesitated. “What are you asking?”
“Merely if you are the talented hand behind the sculptures?” His gaze scanned her face, and although she tried to hide her expression, she felt herself to be an open book. “I can see it’s true,” he mused. “Nowthisis a turnaround for the books. I presume your father does not know.”
