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William nodded curtly. “It has.”

They shook hands, and Reeds tilted his head toward the table behind him. The man somehow managed to make even that small gesture appear simpering and proper. “Shall I introduce you to my sisters, or is your matter something which ladies ought not to hear?”

“The ladies may hear it, as it concerns them.”

The sooner this affair was settled, the better. Why waste time speaking with Sarsen and then relaying the information to his bride-to-be when he could simply address everyone at once?

A change seemed to come over Reeds. It was difficult to say precisely what it was, but the man’s features seemed to harden. “I see. Join us, then.”

William wondered if Reeds might challenge him after all. That seemed doubtful, though. Reeds was a mostly proper man who seemed to believe that a little rakish behavior was daring. He knew little about truly improper behavior.

William followed Reeds to the table, and introductions were made. His eyes fixed on Lady Dorothy, the eldest of the Duke of Reeds’s daughters. She was lovely enough, suitable for taking as a wife. Black curls framed Dorothy’s soft face, and her green eyes were brighter than the finest emerald. The lady’s white gown accentuated her firm, generous breasts and her slender waist. He wondered how she would look without her gown.

William seated himself to Reeds’s right. A nearby maid promptly offered him tea and biscuits. He would rather forego the pleasantries and have the whole affair finished. At its heart, marriage was just like a business transaction. It was best finished quickly and efficiently.

“Sarsen has not yet told me the purpose of his visit, but he assures me that it is a matter of importance to you as well as me,” Reeds told his sisters.

“Is it?” Lady Catherine asked, raising an incredulous brow.

William knew of her by reputation. She was supposedly the most spirited of the Leedway daughters.Spiritedwas what men said in polite company, of course. In less polite company, they called her obstinate. Some even said that she was in need of a firm hand, which William could believe readily enough.

“It is,” William said, glowering at the young woman. “As you may or may not be aware, I became the Duke of Sarsen a few years ago. It took some time to gain my bearings, so to speak.”

“Understandably,” Reeds said.

William had carefully rehearsed what he wanted to say to the Duke of Reeds and his sisters, and he would prefer that Reeds not interrupt him. He had neither the time nor the inclination to listen to the man’s empty, sympathetic platitudes.

“Now that the dukedom is flourishing, I have decided that I will take a wife. Not only do I have a duty to produce an heir, but my younger sisters are in sore need of a maternal presence. Their governess is insufficient.”

“Is this your urgent business?” Reeds asked, sounding confused.

Reeds clearly had no idea what was coming. That was unsurprising but irritating.

“It is.” William produced the ragged piece of paper from his jacket and offered it to Reeds. “I found this contract among my father’s possessions. I am promised a bride, specifically Lady Dorothy, and I have come to collect her.”

“What?” Lady Dorothy asked, all the color draining from her face.

“I see that you were unaware of this agreement,” William said. “Nevertheless, I intend to see it fulfilled.”

“It is our father’s signature,” Reeds said. “I would recognize it anywhere!”

“That cannot be true!” Lady Dorothy exclaimed.

“You want to marry my sister?” Lady Bridget asked.

Lady Dorothy nearly leaped to her feet and joined her brother, her eyes wild as she read the paper over his shoulder. Lady Bridget quickly joined the pair. Only Lady Catherine remained in her chair.

William crossed her arms. He supposed he ought to have anticipated their surprise, but it was still vexing.

“Well, you were not a disappointment,” Lady Catherine said, sipping her tea.

“I did not come here hoping to entertain you, my lady,” William said. “And this matter does not concern you—only your sister Lady Dorothy.”

“This cannot be—I knew nothing of this contract,” Reeds murmured, sounding disbelieving. “If this were legitimate, I am sure that I would know about it.”

“I hope that you are not implying I forged this document,” William said, fixing Reeds with a fierce stare. “I can assure you that I have not, and I hope that you have the good sense not to keep me from what is rightfully mine. It would be a dreadful embarrassment if we were forced to settle this matter before the public.”

“I was not implying that,” Reeds said, still sounding as though he did not quite believe what William had said. “It is only that…you wish to marry my sister.”