“And given that youarea duke, I’m sure you are not used to being rejected. You are obviously only doing this out of some misplaced sense of honor. So let me assure you, unequivocally, that it is not necessary. Nor is it welcome,” she added tartly. “And even if word about usdoesget out, I have a far simpler solution: you can simply deny it. Call it a ridiculous rumor, and all the people whose opinions you care about so very much will believe it was a mistake because they want to. Because no one wants to see a duke marry someone sounconventional,” she practically spat out the word. “You should go propose to Lady Gwen while you still have the chance. I suspect Lord Fairbanks will be less inclined to spread rumors about his son-in-law. Perhaps you can also discuss your upcoming bill with him.”
Will pulled a hand roughly through his hair, disturbing the perfect locks. “That you would think I would haveanythingto do with that swine after all we’ve learned.”
He looked desperate and frustrated and, somehow, even more handsome. Phoebe needed to get him out of here before she lost her conviction entirely.
“But surely even you would not hold his crimes against his daughter.”
“Ofcoursenot,” he said, appalled by the suggestion.
“Then it is settled,” she replied, trying to appear calm and sensible while inside her stomach churned with nerves. “You will have your ideal duchess and the state of my reputation won’t be on your conscience anymore.”
Will opened his mouth but then stopped himself. “I’m going to leave before I say something I regret.”
Phoebe could only laugh that he didn’t thinkthisconversation qualified as something to regret.
“This has all come as a shock to you, I’m sure,” he added. “I will give you the rest of the day to think this over.”
“You can, but my answer won’t change,” Phoebe said loftily.
Will’s jaw hardened as his dark eyes bore into her own. “Is that so?” Phoebe nodded, but it was weak. Distracted. He took a step toward her. Then another. “And you are certain there is nothing left between us?” he murmured as his gaze dipped to her mouth. “Nothing else worth… exploring?”
Phoebe inhaled sharply before she could catch herself. His nostrils flared as his gaze returned to hers and that blasted heat swiftly raged to life between them. He leaned toward her then and Phoebe’s traitorous heart stuttered as she breathed in his familiar scent of shaving soap.
She hated just how much she longed to feel the press of his firm, commanding mouth on hers. How easy it would be to fall back into bed with him and hope things would somehow magically sort themselves out. In another moment he would gather her in his arms and even though she had rejected his offer of marriage, shedidn’t trust herself to resist the offer of his body quite so easily. But while she had no doubt it would be a highly enjoyable diversion, in the end nothing would change. And it would only make their inevitable parting that much harder.
“Y-yes,” she rasped, forcing the word past her lips, and took a stumbling step back. “I am,” she added, a little more firmly now. “We’re done here.”
Will slowly straightened as a light faded from his eyes. One she hadn’t noticed until it was gone.
Wait.
“I see.” He blinked and that bored look of aristocratic indifference returned. She hadn’t seen it for weeks. Not since he stepped into the inspector’s office and turned her decent little life upside down.
Come back.
He tugged on his cuffs and then reached for her. Phoebe’s eyes fluttered and for one ridiculous moment she thought he might caress her cheek in goodbye. But just as his beguiling scent filled her nose once again, he retrieved the hat from the top of the chest of drawers beside her.
“Then I won’t make the mistake of repeating such an objectionable proposition to you ever again.” He gave a short bow and placed his hat on his head. “Good day.”
Phoebe stood there dumbly for a moment until she moved out of his way. He brushed past her without another word. She heard him murmur a goodbye to Marion before firmly shutting the front door behind him. Phoebe stood frozen in place, unaware of how much time had passed, until Marion appeared in the doorway with a look of concern on her face.
“Did you just reject a proposal of marriage? From a duke?”
The question broke through Phoebe’s daze and she lifted her chin, trying to muster her outrage once more. “It sounded more like an order to me.”
Marion let out a laugh of disbelief. “Well, he wasn’t spouting poetry, I’ll give you that, but Phoebe, my God. You could have been aduchess.”
We both know you are not exactly duchess material.
Phoebe turned away as her eyes began to prickle. “He would have regretted it.”
And she couldn’t bear to watch his disappointment grow once he realized his mistake. Perhaps her reputation would suffer, but he would see in time that she had saved them both. Her heart, however, was another matter.
Marion placed a hand on her shoulder. “Are you sure about that?”
The gentle question was like a lance through her chest, melting whatever numbness still remained. “No,” she said miserably as a hot tear slipped down her cheek. “No, I’m not.”
Twenty-One
