Page 28 of Duke of Pride

Stop, Victoria. What are you doing?

“Now, about that,” he said determinedly. “About you leaving in a month. I know you don’t want to go back to your brother.”

Victoria was taken aback. Her stomach twisted. It was bad that it was true, even worse that he noticed, and the worst of it all was that he was talking about it. She had nothing to say to that.

“I am not going to ask you why,” he continued. “But I can’t, in good conscience, send you away like that. I have thought of a solution.”

Victoria struggled to process what she was hearing and feeling. Relief that he was not asking for her reasons to avoid Maxwell. Surprise to see him almost considerate of her feelings. But she also dreaded to think thathehad aplan.

The first two threw her into uncharted territory, waters she didn’t want to navigate, for it was too dangerous. But the latter… that was familiar territory, easier to tackle.

“A solution?” She crossed her arms. “For some reason, I am sure I am not going to like it.”

“I am starting to think that there are very few things you like,” he retorted, using her words against her.

“How can you say that?” she said in that sweet voice that knew got under his skin. “Annoying you beyond reason brings me immense joy.”

“Always a pleasure to provide entertainment for you.” He mimicked her tone.

That…

It was easier to hate his stupidly perfect face when he was a cold, rule-popping machine. But to add dry, witty humor and the hint that he had common decency? That did not bode well for her. So, she kept her walls up.

“And what is yourbrilliantplan, oh, grandmaster?”

Stephen pressed his full lips together and tilted his head as he slowly studied her face.

“I will help you secure a husband,” he offered smoothly.

Victoria blinked. Once. Twice. For a second, she was sure she had misheard him. Then… She laughed. A full-bodied, incredulous laugh.

“I am sorry…” She was struggling to contain her amusement. “It must be the wordhelpcoming out of your mouth that got me. You, helping me?”

His eyebrow rose, and his jaw ticked.

“It is true. I have ulterior motives,” Stephen said darkly. “Getting you out of my house and making sure you stay away from it.”

“Your ability to snuff out all mirth is uncanny,” Victoria scoffed, all serious now.

“I do tend to do that when I am perceived as the butt of a joke.”

Victoria refrained from picking up a petty fight and focused on theplan. Men. They have a one-track mind. Though, truth be told, there were not many options for a lady. She would either stay under a male relative’s care if unmarried or be married off.

“You seem determined to undertake quite an endeavor. My own brother has failed at this miserable task. What makes you think you’ll succeed where he hasn’t?”

“I have my ways.” Stephen’s gaze sharpened, his head tilting slightly.

There was something in his tone. Something infuriatingly confident. Something dangerous.

Victoria crossed her arms tighter, schooling her features.

“Your ways?” She decided to poke holes in his plan. “Is it magic?”

“It is knowing the right people and also—and excuse me for bringing this up—knowing what a real gentleman would require from his bride.”

“I didn’t realize you were an expert in the art of matrimony.”

“I’m an expert in how men think.”