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Could the man be any more breathtaking than he already was?

Scarlett was quite certain that she—and the rest of the female population—would have found it impossible to resist him if he was. She was already having a most dreadful time of it that she was considering throwing all caution to the wind, her reputation be damned.

What was one more indiscretion to be added to her tally of faults?

She hazarded a glimpse at his icy facade. The strong set of his jaw. His piercing eyes, which seemed to see through all her little fibs and foibles.

Maybe even her clothes.

Oh no, no, no. Do not even think of going there!

She pressed a cold hand to her warm cheeks. Wayward thoughts always made their way to her face. Fortunately, Ethan and Phoebe had gone on slightly ahead, their arms linked, their heads tilted towards each other.

She sighed as she watched Phoebe look up at her husband. Her eyes lit up like a chandelier in a grand ball, a faint blush stealing across her cheeks.

Some people were just lucky enough to find their true match. Others, like herself, not so much.

“Phoebe—Her Grace—was right,” she murmured. “It is warm enough for a walk.”

The moment the words left her mouth, she nearly winced. Scarlett was not new to the art of small talk, but eventhatsounded extremely inane to her ears.

“I have never been to the gardens of Wolverton Estate. I heard they areexquisite.”

She had already started it, so she might as well finish it, right? Besides, there was nothing worse than going out for a walk with someone who would much rathernot.

Looking at Hudson, it was clear that he would rather suffer through a toothache. Her heart sank as she bit her lower lip.

Perhaps she should have just stayed inside. Even if they had suggested seeing the Hanging Gardens of Babylon themselves, she doubted it would have improved the Wolf’s mood.

He had made it rather clear to her that only one thing would do that—her departure.

She clenched her hands into fists. “I apologize for the inconvenience I have caused you, Your Grace,” she told him, feigning a cheerful tone and a smile. “But you need not be so glum for much longer. Once my mama finds another man to foist me on, I shall be out of your sight.” She paused and added bitterly, “Or maybe not. I should invite you to the wedding as thanks for your assistance.”

She had expected him to voice some sort of gruff approval. Maybe even a quick retort that he could hardly wait for it.

She did not expect him to stiffen, his face a picture of murderous rage.

What could he possibly be so angry about?He is not the one being forced to marry.

Even Ethan and Phoebe had stopped, turning towards them. Her friend looked at her in concern, but Scarlett only shook her head subtly.

Even if he was in a towering rage, sheknewdeep down that he would never hurt her. Not physically, at the very least.

Not unless one counted the maddening torture she had been subjected to, just thinking about him and all the things he hinted he would do to her.

“You go on ahead,” he told the couple ahead of them. “Lady Scarlett and I have something to discuss in private.”

In private? Her blood literally sang in her veins.

How scandalous. How inappropriate. How utterlythrilling.

Her mama would be appalled. The Dowager Duchess would be shaking with indignation.

Scarlett could not be more pleased as she followed him into the resplendent orangery.

Invite me to your wedding? The hell you will!

It was galling how she could easily fling that in his face. Even more outrageous was his almost visceral reaction to the mere thought of her walking down the aisle to marry another man.