‘Itriedto!’ He sounded almost exasperated. ‘Since the ball, you have been as slippery as an eel and as prickly as the thorns on a rose.’
Grace scoffed at his imagery.
‘I knocked on your door that night, but you did not let me in. I came to your doormultipletimes over the following nights, but you did not answer. I have been trying to get you alone ever since, but you have evaded me at every turn.’
‘What about the night I enteredyourbedroom to inform you about the watchmaker?’ she countered.
He sighed. ‘By then, I realised we were on the precipice of ending this nightmare, and I delayed telling you until Edward’sarrest so that we could begin anew. That was my mistake. Ishouldhave just told you then.’
Grace recalled his hesitation that night.
‘I eventriedto tell you in the library,’ he added, rubbing a hand over his jaw. ‘But we were interrupted. Again.’
His fingers tightened around hers, the heat of his touch burning through her skin. The world shrank to just the two of them—his earnest eyes searching hers. ‘Say you will have me, Grace,’ he murmured, his voice raw.
She swallowed. Her heart was soaring, yet she could not resist teasing him. He had caused her no small amount of misery these past months—surely, she was entitled to a little revenge?
Lifting her chin, she replied archly, ‘I shall consider you, sir—if and when youproperlyask for my hand in marriage.’
For a moment, he looked nonplussed.
Then, catching on swiftly, he dropped to one knee and, in a rather regal tone, said, ‘I would be honoured if you would accept my hand in marriage. Now, please, put me out of my misery.’
Grace grinned. ‘I shall consider your proposal,Your Grace, but before I do, I have a few questions of my own.’
He exhaled, half amused, half exasperated.
‘Very well, sweet. I shall allow you to address me asYour Graceif I may address you asmy Grace.And I shall answer any question you have—on one condition.’
‘And what is that?’
‘That I may have you by my side for the rest of our lives.’
He crowded her, his eyes alight with passion. Grace quailed slightly but quickly rallied, extending a hand to maintain some space—and sanity—before retreating into the corner of the sofa.
She laughed. ‘Odious man, you shall not bully me so easily, no matter how domineering you are to others.’
He smiled and took her hand again. ‘You are a brave woman. I shall retreat—for now,’ he murmured, his gaze mischievous.Then, lifting her wrist, he pressed a slow kiss to the pulse point. Grace lowered her eyes, suddenly shy beneath his scrutiny.
‘Ask,’ he said as he settled beside her.
‘How did you find us? Lord Harry must have had several other properties he could have taken us to. No, wait—how did you evenknowthat he had kidnapped us?’
The Duke laughed. ‘Patience. I will tell you all. I suppose I have a tale of my own to share.’
Grace leaned forward, ‘Go on,’ she said, eager to hear the rest.
‘On the day of the picnic, A letter from Mr Smith Jr. arrived, demanding an urgent meeting. I arrived to find him in a furious row with his father. When he stormed out, he whispered for me to meet him later—in secret.’
Grace frowned in confusion.
The Duke saw her expression and smiled.
‘Yes, I was confused too—but also very intrigued. I met Mr Smith Jr. later that day and was alarmed to learn that Mr Smith was also Lord Harry’s solicitor.
‘The long and short of it is that Mr Smith Jr. had received your letter regarding the properties and, after some digging, discovered something astonishing. Though all the houses of depravity were under Edward’s name, it turns outHarrywas the true mastermind behind the operation. In fact, Edward had given him power of attorney, allowing him to do whatever he pleased under his name.
‘Mr Smith, bound by confidentiality, did not disclose this to the Bow Street Runners—but between you and me, I suspect a fair amount of bribery was involved. When Mr Smith Jr. uncovered the truth, I believe he finally mustered the courage to do the right thing. He even provided me with a list of all of Lord Harry’s assets and properties.
