And he kissed her, soft and slow, letting the ease and skill of his lips and tongue do the talking. She didn’t return his affections,yet, but there was no doubt about their chemistry.She was a lady with dark appetites, and he was a would-be duke who wielded them as second nature. She was intrigued by him and comfortable. For now, that would have to be enough. He’d use that connection to deepen their relationship. He’d do his damnedest to make sure she wouldn’t regret ending her impressive refusal streak for the likes of him.
He ended the kiss with a scrape of teeth against her lower lip and groaned when she shuddered in his arms.
“You’ll marry me, won’t you?” He rested his forehead against hers, a wave of nerves making him unable to face her. “I can’t promise the stuffy and distant life of an aristocrat. I won’t tolerate separate beds or holidays away. If you agree to become my duchess, you are to be my partner, for always.” He flinched at the ultimatum. Danny had been raised by typical English peers. Their customs and expectations so unlike that of a working man. Though they were considered superior in their manners and outlooks, he’d never settle for half a life. Better she know now, then agree to his proposal and be miserable later at his modern ideals of marriage.
But when he glanced down to gauge her level of reluctance, it was to find her smiling.
“Did you truly believe asking me to be your equal would in any way dissuade me?” she asked.
“Some women would find the idea peculiar and frightening.”
“Somewomen,” she admitted.
“But not you?”
“I think you know that answer already, sir. I don’t steal bushes with just anyone.”
His heart was flying. Cradling her face in his hands, he soaked up that smile, that knowing glint in her eye, and the silent challenge in her voice. “I need to hear the word, Danny. I need to know you’re serious. Once you decide, I won’t let you go.”
She scrunched her nose, her eyes dancing. “When you put it that way, perhaps Iwillreconsider. I’ve heard Mr. Pendor is amiable and still on the market.”
“Minx!” Percy kissed her, long and hot, until all the games and banter were stripped away and replaced with sincere sensation.
“Yes,” Danny said against his lips when they’d become breathless. “I accept your proposal... on one condition.”
He didn’t hesitate. “Cats to rescue? Dogs to tend? I’ll hire two dozen servants for you to fuss over and proclaim you their saint.”
Expression amused, her gaze flicked up to a window on the southern side of the house. Her smile turned guilty. “There’s one thing I need us to do first.”
Us. How lovely andun-singular that sounded. “Name it.”
“Convince my father.”
He kissed the tip of her nose, his heart light. “An easy ask.”
*
This was goingto be harder than the teeth-chipping biscuits they served in the workhouses.
Percy had faced warriors, soldiers, having his toenails ripped off by a lovely Frenchman named Sweetling, but standing in Lord Bromley’s study, waiting for the man to announce his fate, Percy decided he missed the croissant-loving torture man and his affinity for pain.
Gone was the informal man who’d wolfed down biscuits like a child before dinner. Gone was the same man who’d clapped Mr. Brinkley on the back and shook his hand when the old groundskeeper had joined them on the terrace at Fellow Hall. Lord Bromley sat back in his chair behind his desk, fingers steepled so only his eyes were visible—eyes that hadn’t blinkedsince Danny and he had entered the man’s haven hand-in-hand ten minutes ago and announced their engagement.
“Am I to understand, you formed an attachment after but a few outings?” he asked finally.
Danny smiled and shook her head. Thankfully, she’d taken the time to change out of her ruined dress and re-pin her hair. “No, Papa. The truth is, Percy and I met my first season at the Leishires’ ball.”
The older man’s unblinking eyes turned some color that reminded Percy of brimstone. “You’ve been carrying on a secret engagement this entire time?”
“No!” Danny exclaimed. “Goodness, Papa. I would never keep—”
“Lord Bromley.” Percy stepped forward, dropping Danny’s hand to look the man in the eye—and do what he should’ve done in the first place and asked, “May I speak to you in private, sir?”
Danny frowned. “I will not leave. This discussion is my future as well.”
“Please, Danny.” Percy willed her to understand her father’s fears and the parental instinct to posture.Trust me as you’ve always done.
She understood the unspoken words, his perfect lady. Give her a month, and she’d have no need for conversation. A look and she’d know his mind better than he did.
