Page 16 of Raising the Duke’s Unexpected Twins

“It is very natural, indeed, Your Grace,” Miss Danae said, and she was practically beaming at him. “I know that Cord is very happy to see you.”

“Danae!” Cordelia cried, her eyes widening.

He chuckled. “It is good that someone around here is willing to tell the truth.” He winked at the younger sister and then said to Cordelia, “Cord?”

“A family nickname. Not ever to be used,” she whispered back.

He bit back a smile and then turned to the viscountess. “My lady, if I might have a moment of your time?”

“But of course. We can go to the study.”

He winked at the ladies before taking his leave to follow the dowager. The rest of the house was just as shabby as the foyer, and he was eager to get Cordelia out of that situation.

I shall help all of them. No need for them to stay in such a place.

“Your Grace,” the viscountess said at the study door, “Please do come in.”

They stood before the fireplace, and Nicholas looked around. The study was so still and had been barely touched in what looked like a very long time. It seemed to have been preserved after the viscount’s death.

Clearing his throat, he looked to Lady Valeton. “This is a nice room.”

“Yes, my husband adored this room,” she replied with a sigh, looking about her. “I’m afraid it gets no use now, but when he was alive, even the girls would come and sit and read in here while he was working. It was never closed off to them.”

Nicholas could see the tears in her eyes, and he looked away, not wanting to embarrass her.

“I am sorry for your loss, my lady. I understand the way a loss feels.”

“Yes, you do,” she answered kindly. “Well, what can I do for you, Your Grace?”

He cleared his throat again and stood just a little taller. “I know you are likely surprised by Miss Debrett’s and my sudden engagement. But I hope she has explained the situation to you?”

“She has.”

He breathed out, feeling far more nervous than necessary. “Well, then I have come to ask you officially for your daughter’s hand. I know I have done it backwards, but I felt as though I still owed you the courtesy of making the request.”

Lady Valeton looked both surprised and pleased. She smiled.

“You are very kind to do so, Your Grace. Yes, you have my permission. If Cordelia is amenable of course. Although…”

She paused, and Nicholas watched as a stern expression grew over her kind face.

“I know that I may not be a powerful man, and I may merely be a woman. However, if you hurt my daughter in any way, I will do my very best to make you regret it. I have no husband, you see? And with my eldest daughter now to be married, I will have nearly all the time in the world to focus on you.” She smiled, and her stern expression was gone.

Her words had been spoken in a kind manner, except for the steely look in her eyes.

Grinning, Nicholas reached out a hand to shake hers. “We are in agreement, my lady. I have no intention of hurting your daughter. In fact, I mean to keep both her and the children safe. I think it is far more likely that your daughter will hurt me.”

He chuckled, but the viscountess merely continued her serene smile, her gaze narrowing ever so slightly. “Is that so? How interesting.”

Clearing his throat for a third time, Nicholas was eager to be done with this discussion. He needed to speak to Cordelia about their plans, and the quiet, knowing look of her mother was making him itch again.

“Might I request an audience with your daughter as well?”

“It seems you are already full up of private moments with my daughter,” she replied, another knowing look in her eye.

“It will not take long. We must discuss plans. And if I am to be the fiancé, then surely it is within the realm of normalcy for me to ask to speak with my betrothed.”

He thought the lady would refuse again, but she agreed, and Nicholas returned to the sitting room to find no Cordelia.