Page 25 of Stolen and Seduced By the Duke

"No?"

"No." Pierce returned to the table and considered his next shot. "I need a duchess. Hugh needs a mother. Margaret needs freedom from Harrowby. The arrangement benefits all three of us."

Nathaniel took another drink of brandy. "And what does Lady Margaret receive besides freedom?"

"Security. A title. Wealth. A protected position in society."

"And you?" Nathaniel asked with a smirk on his face.

Pierce looked at him.

Nathaniel smiled knowingly. "You receive a beautiful young wife who is very bold indeed from the sound of it."

Pierce's expression became distinctly colder.

Nathaniel laughed. "Ah. So there it is."

Pierce picked up his cue. "I believe it is your turn."

"You have just confirmed it without saying a word."

"I have confirmed nothing."

Nathaniel grinned and moved towards the table. "My dear friend, I suspect this arrangement is going to be considerably less practical than you imagine. A woman that bold is neither obedient nor calm… but she will be most entertaining in other parts of your marriage."

Pierce made his shot with unnecessary force. "We shall see."

CHAPTER 7

Bond Street was crowded with carriages, elegant ladies, and gentlemen who appeared to have nowhere in particular to be except precisely where everyone else could see them. Margaret walked between Iris and Camelia, trying to concentrate on the ribbons displayed in the shop windows rather than the extraordinary turn her life had taken.

Only a few days ago, she had been preparing to marry Geoffrey Harrowby. Now she was engaged to the Duke of Ravenfield, a man she had met at a masquerade, argued with in a smoking room, kissed in a library, and somehow agreed to marry before she had even determined whether she liked him.

"I confess I am still shocked," Iris said as she examined a length of ivory ribbon between her fingers. "The Duke actually made an offer for your hand."

Margaret attempted to appear interested in a roll of pale blue silk. "Yes."

Camelia gave her a sideways glance. "I am more interested in another matter." Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Exactly what costume were you wearing at his masquerade to cause such a thing?"

Margaret nearly dropped the ribbon.

"The costume?" she repeated, hoping her voice sounded sufficiently innocent.

"Yes," Camelia replied, placing the ribbon back upon the counter. "I understand you attended the duke's ball without us, which was scandalous enough, but now the man has proposed marriage. Surely there must be some connection."

Margaret's cheeks warmed. She suddenly became fascinated by a display of satin bows. There was no possibility whatsoever that she could tell her sisters the truth.

I cannot possibly admit that I had gone to the masquerade intending to ruin myself, begged men to kiss me, and then Pierce to kiss me. I had allowed him to come close enough to make me forget every sensible thought in my head, and had later kissed him in the library.

The memory alone made her feel horribly ashamed. She had been reckless. Worse, she had enjoyed it.

"I was dressed as Flora," she finally admitted.

Camelia's brows rose. "Flora?"

"The goddess of flowers," Margaret explained.

Iris looked at her knowingly. "That sounds rather provocative."