Page 29 of Duke of Pride

“How very fortunate for you,” she shot back. “Do you plan to auction me off like a prized mare?”

“If that’s what it takes,” he said smoothly, “though I imagine you’d bite the hand of any prospective buyer.”

“I am not going to deny that,” she relented.

“Did it ever cross your mind that your lack of suitors has nothing to do with your brother’s abilities or the issue of your… lineage, but simply thatlovelydisposition of yours?”

Victoria gasped in mock offense. Then, her eyes narrowed, her voice dripping poison. “Did it ever cross your mind that I do not wish to pretend to be lovely for anyone? I merely wish to beme.”

Once more, their eyes met. It was instant sparks each time they did from the moment Annabelle introduced them, and it kept getting worse. Because now, Victoria could almost feel that look on her skin. The same way she felt the hard planes of his bodythatnight, his strong arms?—

No. We are not remembering that now!

“So, we are looking for a man with a healthy constitution and a strong stomach.” Stephen’s voice cut through her thoughts.

“The very recipe of a happy marriage,” she clipped.

“With you? Undoubtedly,” he said bluntly but didn’t give her the time to respond. “Do we have a deal, Victoria?”

“Sure, give it a chance,” she said, waving her hand dismissively.

“No. Tell me that we have a deal,” he insisted.

It was not a request. It was a command.

Victoria’s arms tightened around her chest, her fingers digging into her sleeves. Not in anger, but something she couldn’t recognize as that rough voice of his caressed her ears.

“A deal, you say? It sounds more like an order. As usual.”

“I am simply ensuring your cooperation.”

“Don’t you mean compliance?” She let out a sharp laugh, tilting her chin up. “You wantcontrol.”

The moment she uttered that word, the air between them crackled, an invisible force pulling them taut like a rope ready to snap.

Stephen let out a low growl, barely audible. Then, he pinned her with a cold look. She pretended that none of it affected her. But it did. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up, her pulse quickened, and her nails dug into her palms.

“You think I’m doing this for my own benefit?” His voice was low, rough. “You think I want to waste my time managing your future?”

“Then don’t.”

“You are not taking this seriously.”

“You do enough for both of us.”

“Someone has to!” he snarled. “What are you planning to do? If you don’t want to go back to your brother, then you have to marry. Unless you expect me to tolerate your presence in my house indefinitely.”

“I wouldn’t even dream of soiling your impeccable house with my presence.”

“I never said?—”

“But you didn’t have to.” Victoria was shaking with fury. “You think that you are better than me, better than everyone. Even your own mother. So untouchable, so impervious, so proper. As if a set of rules can control everyone’s lives.”

Stephen took a step closer, his movements precise, controlled. Barely restrained.

“Iamcertainly better than a petulant child who throws tantrums all the time.” His voice was low but harsh.

Her pulse jumped, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing it.