The duke ran long fingers over his chin, tilting his head while keeping her gaze before finally dropping his hand to his side. “We have danced.”
She gave a quick laugh before catching herself and schooling her features. “I cannot deny that claim. But, if I may be so bold, those dances have been as few as once a year. So the question begs to be asked—why are you requesting my hand?”
His chest rose and fell as their eyes remained locked on one another. “I had not been expecting you to ask that.”
“And I had not been expecting a proposal from a duke, yet here we are.”
Another uncomfortable beat of silence as he remained a man of stone standing before her. His wide shoulders were stiff and unrelenting under his immaculately pressed, superfine jacket. Everything about him demanded attention. His height, his stature, his expensive attire, his sure and steady gaze.
He gestured to the emerald-green armchair behind him. “Might I sit?”
She held her hand out. “Of course.”
The duke took a seat, but instead of speaking, his eyes roamed the walls.
“Your Grace—” she began.
“—I need a wife, Miss Morgan.” His eyes snapped to her. “And I feel you would suit my needs.”
“Me?” An incredulous, bitter laugh slipped from her lips at his audacity. “I do not see why. I can think of no way I would be a help to you.” Louisa swallowed her pride, which was a rather impressive feat for her. “Would you not prefer some young debutante? I am certainly coming to the end of my desirable years.”
“Your years, as you so put it, are part of the reason I have proposed.”
Goodness. Now what was she to say?
She dipped her chin. “I see.”Very eloquent, Louisa. If the man is not in love with you already, he certainly will be now.
“From what I know of you, Miss Morgan, you appreciate candid responses. So let me make myself clear for you.”
Finally.
“I am not good with words, and I will not pretend otherwise. I am uncomfortable in social situations and am poor at reading people and their attitudes toward me. And this brings me to my point.” He drew in a slow breath. “I have noticed your ease of conversation with others and how you handle yourself in a room of people. It is effortless for you. That is what I need in a wife, and why I have singled you out.”
Much to her dismay, Louisa felt heat rise to her cheeks. He had noticed her? Singled her out? Never in her wildest dreams would she have thought the Duke of Boroux ever deigned to willingly glance in her direction. Any time he asked her to dance, it always occurred when they happened to be standing beside one another in a crowded ballroom. Though, he did not say he noticed her for her beauty or any such thing. Rather, it was her ease of speaking with others. Surely she should not blush over such a thing.
She decided to be forthcoming as well. “I do not see myself making a good duchess, Your Grace. I am not poised or regal, and my conversation can be shocking at times. Or, so I am told.”
He lowered his brow, his eyes probing hers as if trying to make sense of some mystery. Apparently, she was the mystery. “Miss Morgan, if I didn’t know any better, I would say you are attempting to dissuade me in my pursuit.”
Yes. She was.
Louisa huffed a breath, her patience waning thin. “I hardly call this a pursuit. You have never once called upon me or spoken to me other than when strictly required, yet you have the nerve to show up in my drawing room and propose marriage with the apparent expectation of a quick acceptance.” She straightened her shoulders, taking in a tight breath through her nose as she attempted to calm herself. Getting her hackles up would only anger the man, and she didn’t need a duke disliking her. For herself, she did not care. But she loved her family, and she didn’t wish to make trouble for them.
“Exactly, Miss Morgan.”
She scoffed. “And that’s all you have to say for yourself? You believe that is an acceptable way to court a lady?”
“No, that is not what I meant to imply. I meant your retort.”
Her mind scrambled to keep up. What was this man talking about? “My complaint about your idea of courtship?”
“The fact that you stood your ground and did not cower away. You may not believe you have the makings of a duchess, but it is quite plain to me that you do.”
“I do not wish to injure your pride, Your Grace, but I have no intention of ever becoming one.” Ha. She said it. Take that, you pompous man.
He leaned back in his chair, the casual motion strangely making him seem more powerful. It was not lost on Louisa that, as a duke, he did in fact hold great sway. She needed to be more mindful of her words.
“May I ask what your hesitance is on the matter? As you have said yourself, you are single after numerous seasons. I cannot see why you would not accept what I have to offer you.”
