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Her father had always protected her, and now he was gone. She could not expect the Ashtons to pay her creditors, and so that left only one option. She dared not even think it, but it might be unavoidable. Returning to her brother. If she did, she would be letting him control her life. The one thing her father had fought so hard to ensure never happened.

The bed looked inviting, but she wanted to ensure the sketch of William was downstairs, ready to be taken to the framer in the morning. Wrapping her dressing gown up tightly, she tiptoed downstairs, meeting only a drowsy-looking footman by the front door. Nodding in his direction before going into the parlor, she placed the sketch on the card table and then went to warm her hands by the dying fire before returning upstairs to bed.

She heard the deep timbre of the duke dismissing the footman and then opening the door to the parlor. She turned in his direction, her breath hitching as she took in his tall stature encased in his black and gold banyan. He stopped dead when he saw her.

“Rose? What are you doing in here?”

“I…I just brought down the sketch of William that will be going to the framer’s in the morning. I had only just finished it tonight.” She indicated the sketch on the card table.

He took up the sketch and studied the drawing. She could not place the emotion on his face as he looked at it. “He looks like Tony,” he said with a smile. “He was bald until he turned one.”

Rose stopped worrying her lower lip. “I cannot imagine him bald.”

“Thankfully, you do not have to.” He looked at the picture again. “This is very well done. You are very talented, Rose.”

When he glanced at her, she was surprised to see real admiration in his beautiful blue eyes. “Thank you, Your Grace.”

He simply nodded before saying, “Tony and I have an appointment with Brookhaven’s new solicitors tomorrow. Is there anything you would like me to ask them? Did you see the will when it was read?”

“Yes, I saw it. I have a dowry of twenty thousand pounds, and I was to get an allowance of three hundred pounds a year to be paid in monthly installments until I marry.”

He raised a brow. “Your father was very generous.”

“Yes, he was, but all his planning is for nought if my brother can so easily change it. What good is a will if it is true?” She took the picture of William when the duke offered it. “My father wanted to ensure that if I left Brookhaven House, I would have enough to find my own lodgings and staff. If he has taken that away from me, I will…my future will be uncertain.” She could feel the tears building and willed them not to fall. Not in front of the duke.

“He may be bluffing to get you to return to him,” he said simply. “Perhaps he has decided that twenty thousand pounds is too much dowry and wants to keep some of it for himself. Renegotiate the terms.”

Rose took a deep breath, trying to hold her emotions intact. She rolled her shoulders, uncomfortable with this hopelessness that had taken over her. “I would not put it past my brother to leave me nothing.”

They were next to each other now, looking down at the sketch. “I would never let that happen,” he said softly. “Your brother is not known for his intelligence; let’s hope the rumors are true and he is simply a desperate idiot.”

Rose tilted her head to look up at the man beside her. “Your description of him is true. He failed most of his classes at Oxford. You are so kind to do this for me, but what if he can do what he threatened?” She put the picture back on the table.

When he took her hand in his and brought it to his lips, Rose held her breath. “I will…convince your brother to do the right thing.”

“Threaten him, you mean?” What was that she saw in his eyes? She could not place it, so she glanced back at the picture.

“If I must,” he said, his voice low.

“Perhaps I should check with the bank in the morning. If it has changed, they will know about it, and it may save you a trip to the solicitors.”

“That is true.” He was rubbing the palm of her hand with his thumb. Why was that so thrilling? Her skin grew hot and her breath hitched.

“Will you come with me?” she asked breathlessly.

“Are you sure?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because I’m a man you can’t even borrow a book from, remember?” He was staring at her as if she were his favorite pudding. Her heart skipped several beats.

She blushed. “Oh, do not bring that up. And it was you who said I should not borrow any more books.”

“Did I?” His voice was deep and low, and gooseflesh appeared on her arms.

“I distinctly…” His lips pressed against hers, cutting off her words. Her eyes widened before closing. The Duke of Warrington was kissing her! His hands were on her waist, tugging her towards him, and her arms came up of their own accord to rest on his chest. Tiny sparks sprang to life wherever he put his hands on her body, and the world around them disappeared just for a few moments. When he lifted his head, he had a cheeky half smile playing about his lips.

It took her a moment to regain her equilibrium. “Is that how you end arguments, Your Grace?”