Page 33 of A Deal for the Duke’s Virgin

Christian grinned mirthlessly. “Please do.”

“I would be glad to see you wed to my sister. However, I intend for her to marry shortly, as I said, and you are not known as a serious man. If you do not intend to offer for her, or if you move slowly, then you will miss out. I know gentlemen who will marry her instantly.”

Christian pursed his lips. “But how would you manage that if your sister’s affections lie with me?”

The Marquess laughed incredulously. “Be serious, Your Grace. We are both men of the world. My sister will marry the man I choose for her. She is a dutiful sister and a proper lady, so she will do as she’s commanded. If you wish to marry her, then move quickly.” He let out a slow breath, rolling his shoulders.

Christian was a few inches taller than him. He straightened his spine slowly, taking a step forward.

The Marquess paled slightly, but to his credit, he did not back away. Perhaps he had a little of his sister’s courage, then.

“Let me be plain, seeing as we are speaking so frankly with each other,” Christian murmured smoothly. “My betrothal to your sister will soon be official. It will be common knowledge, and preparations for a wedding will begin. In the meantime, I expect a good deal more respect from you towards my future Duchess. I notice that you speak easily of commanding her. My Duchess will not be commanded. I hope that you do not intend to push either me or my future wife into following your wishes. You might be a marquess of great standing, but I am a duke, and you do not wish to cross me. Do you understand?”

The Marquess did not seem to know what he wanted to do or say. On the one hand, he paled at Christian’s low, menacing voice. On the other hand, his eyes brightened at the magic word betrothal, and they sparkled further at the word duchess.

“I see,” he said. “Thank you for telling me. You are welcome in my home, to make your proposal officially then, and you are welcome to my sister. Just make good on your promise.”

Christian smiled serenely. “Is that all you wished to speak to me about?”

The Marquess pursed his lips. “I suppose so.”

“Wonderful. Now, I shan’t keep you from your important business from which you have doubtless taken time off to come and visit us. Your sister is safe, as you can see. Chaperoned. In public. I can imagine nothing that would keep you here, Lord Hawton.”

If the Marquess noticed the contempt in Christian’s voice, he did not show it. He nodded, smiling faintly to himself, and turned on his heel.

Christian stayed where he was, watching him slip away through the crowd. Once the man was gone, he turned and moved back towards the others.

Daphne and Edwin saw him coming and pulled away, leaving Thalia standing alone in front of an exquisitely carved statue. She stood very close to it in the shadow of a large pillar. She was staring so intently at it that when he stepped next to her, she flinched.

“Oh, I thought you might be Jonathan.”

“I believe your brother has gone home.”

She let out a sigh of relief. “I thought he’d changed his mind and come to take me away.”

“No. I told him we’re making our engagement official soon, and that seemed to satisfy him.”

She threw him a quick, grateful look. “Thank you.”

Christian tucked his arms behind his back. “So, are you going to tell me what terrible thing you’ve done?”

Thalia blinked. “What?”

“Well, your brother is quite determined to marry you off as quickly as possible. He scarcely lets you out of his sight. He talks about commanding you into marriage and making you do your duty, when anyone with eyes can see that you do not wish to marry. Why is he acting so protective?”

“He’s my brother,” she mumbled lamely.

“Brothers are protective of their sisters, yes,” he conceded. “But the Marquess behaves more like a jailor than a concerned brother.”

She closed her eyes briefly. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Doesn’t matter? You have certainly done something. Come, tell me what it is. Did you try to elope? Try to go to university? Tell me.”

“It is none of your business! And for your information, I have not done anything.”

He snorted. “Now that I cannot believe.”

“No, of course you cannot. But not everybody is a scandalmonger like you.”