Page 20 of Stolen and Seduced By the Duke

"It sounds remarkably similar to tyranny."

His mouth curved slightly. "You will learn the difference."

Margaret sighed, though she could not suppress her smile. "I have a feeling, Your Grace, that marrying you will be the most exhausting decision of my life."

Pierce inclined his head. "I suspect you will make it considerably more exhausting for me."

She smiled despite herself.

And that, Margaret thought, was perhaps the most dangerous part of all.

CHAPTER 6

Pierce watched Margaret in silence, allowing the implications of her last words to settle between them. She had not quite said yes, not in the manner a sensible woman might have accepted a proposal, but he knew her well enough already to understand what she was doing.

She is measuring the escape route, weighing the danger of Harrowby against the uncertainties of Ravenfield, and preparing herself to make the choice she believes least likely to destroy her.

A faint, knowing smirk touched Pierce's mouth.

She is going to say yes.

"So I think you should simply accept," he said, folding his arms across his chest, "because your grand plan to ruin yourself would never have worked anyway."

Margaret's eyes narrowed. "If I had more time, it would have."

Pierce raised an eyebrow. "Would it?"

"Certainly."

"You seem very confident," he said.

"I am," she lifted her chin.

He studied her for a moment, increasingly amused by the determined little fire in her expression. "Then show me."

Margaret blinked. "What?"

"Show me how you intended to accomplish it."

Her mouth fell open slightly. Pierce knew immediately that he had provoked her, and he had done so deliberately. She had spent the entire conversation speaking of her boldness, and he had a sudden desire to discover precisely how far her courage extended when challenged.

"You are always doing that," she muttered.

"Doing what?"

"Looking at me as though I am a foolish child," she said.

"I have never thought you a child," he said as he looked her up and down. "You are far from it."

Her cheeks grew flush. "Perhaps not," she said, "but you certainly behave as though I am incapable of knowing what I am doing."

Pierce's amusement faded into curiosity as she stepped closer. Margaret hesitated for only a heartbeat before rising onto her toes and pressing a quick kiss to his lips.

"There," she said.

Pierce went completely still.

The kiss had lasted scarcely a second, yet the effect upon him was immediate. His eyes darkened as he stared down at her, and every trace of amusement vanished from his expression. He had expected boldness, but he had not expected the soft warmth of her mouth or the astonishing willingness with which she had offered it.