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He stared at her in shock. “You have?”

She nodded proudly, standing a little bit taller. “What I suggest we do now is go through these names together, crossing them off one by one until we find one who is agreeable. My thinking is that by the time she arrives, you will know of her, and that way the entire weekend will not be wasted.”

“That is...” Anthony was still struggling to come to terms with what she was saying. “... an interesting notion.”

“I told you that I owed you,” she said rightly. A firm nod, which had her bosom wobbling beneath her slip. “You saved my life, and I intend to pay you back.”

As strange as it might have sounded, Anthony had forgotten entirely about the request he had made of Lady Caroline. Determined to put her out of his mind, he had done what he could tonotthink about her in any way.

Truthfully, when he had made the request of her earlier this morning, he had not seriously considered that she would attack it with such enthusiasm. In fact, he had assumed she might be of the same mind as he was, searching for reasons to avoid one another out of the interest of self-preservation.

The only reason he had asked such a thing of her in the first place was because Anthony knew well enough how broke her family was—that was why her sister was marrying Roderick in the first place—and figured that asking her to help him secure a bride would at the very least shut her up about owing him.

Did Anthony wish to marry? Sadly, he did. Like Roderick, he was a man whose life was controlled by expectation, and as a single duke, he knew that sooner or later he would be required to take a bride. Unlike with Roderick, Anthony’s marriage would serve a specific purpose. He wished for an heir, was why, one to pass his title onto when he died. That was, after all, the entire point of marriage.At least I have always assumed as much.

Perhaps there was a small part of him too that wondered what it might be like to find a bride whose company he would enjoy, and who would enjoy his company in return. Someone whom he could spend the day with, sup with at night, even look forward to seeing each day when he woke to the new sun…

Sadly, this was not meant to be. Just about everyone in the ton was terrified of him, for his nickname, The Cruel Duke, seemed designed to turn people away before they could get to know him. This in turn had led to Anthony’s more reserved personality, hidden emotions, forced to project an air of strength and command because if he would not be liked, at the very least he would be feared.

All that was to say, what decent woman would ever have him?I know the answer to that, of course. None.

“It is quite alright,” Anthony sighed.

“Excuse me?” Lady Caroline said. “What does that mean?”

“Our deal,” he explained with another sigh. “I have changed my mind.”

“You... you have?” she leaned back as if struck.

“Yes,” he said. “So, I suggest you put it out of your mind and be glad that I have saved you the time.” He turned and walked to the door. “Now, if you do not mind...” He reached for the door handle, his eyebrow raised at her to indicate that this conversation was finished.

“But why?” she blurted. “Why have you changed your mind?”

“That is not your concern.”

“I disagree. After all you have done for me, it is the least that I can do—I am in your debt, and this is a way that I am able to repay it.”

“And as I said, you no longer need to.”

“That is not good enough.” She crossed her arms and glared at him. “Did I do something wrong? You have not even heard the list of names I have acquired yet!”

“That has nothing to do with it.”

“Perhaps if you just listen,” she insisted. “I am sure that one of them?—”

“I said no!” he snapped, his temper getting the best of him.This woman... why does she get to me so? And why is she not terrified of me like everyone else? She should be thrilled for the chance to be done with me. She should be singing my praises!

“I...” Lady Caroline looked away as if ashamed. “Please, Your Grace, do not do this. I... I said I owe you and... and where I would love to be able to pay you back, my family...” She sniffed. “They are not exactly wealthy. This is the only way.”

He groaned, not at all upended by her tears, simply annoyed that she was using them to try and manipulate him. “You do not owe me anything. Not money. Not a favor. What you owe me, if you are so insistent on paying me back, is peace and quiet. So, if you do not mind...” Again, he indicated the door.

Still, she did not make to leave.

Anthony watched Lady Caroline closely, unable to believe the sudden sense of steely resolve that took her being. She became determined, a look in her brown eyes which suggested she was not going to just walk out of here and forget everything. It was strange to him, that someone might stand up to him like this, that they wouldn’t succumb to fear and simply turn tail and flee as so many had done before.

It caught Anthony completely by surprise, as he had never been very good at confrontation, simply because he’d never had the need.

“You asked for my help, and whether you wish for it or not...” She breathed in deeply and raised her chin. “I will help you find a bride, Your Grace. Only then, will I be out of your debt.”