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She was staring at her hands now, away from him. It was as if she was afraid to look at him.

But somehow, Conor didn’t think she was afraid even now.

He turned to Tobias Dawson. “Your daughter is unusual,” he said, trying hard not to give anything away. He was enjoying seeing the man squirm. After all, Dawson had stolen from him. Conor didn’t want to punish him too severely, but neither did he want him to escape with no consequences at all.

“My Lord,” Dawson said. “I promise you, my daughter has impeccable manners. She’s being difficult tonight to punishme. When I am removed from the picture, she will be much easier to tame.”

Conor shook his head. “I’m not sure a tame wife is what I want,” he said.

Astrid’s head jerked up.

Shewasworried. Conor felt bad, now, for teasing out the truth. He decided to end their suspense. “Miss Dawson,” he said, “I find you lovely and well spoken. It would be my honor to take you as my wife.”

Dawson’s whole body deflated with obvious relief, but Astrid didn’t say a word. She inclined her head slightly. Conor couldn’t tell if the gesture was intended as a nod or a bow.

“Shall we sign the paperwork, then?” Dawson asked, suddenly all business. He got to his feet.

“Perhaps we ought to finish our meal first,” Conor suggested. “I would hate to see fine pheasant go to waste. And Miss Dawson, you’ve hardly touched yours.” In truth, he was concerned that her failure to eat represented a case of nerves. He would have felt better if she had finished her dinner.

But Astrid shook her head. “I’m finished,” she said quietly. “Might I be excused, Father? You and Lord Middleborough don’t need me anymore tonight, I believe?”

“Is that all right with you, My Lord?” Dawson asked.

Something twisted Astrid’s face. Conor got the feeling she was wishing her father hadn’t asked his permission.

It made what he had to do next that much more difficult.

“I’d like it if you would stay,” he said quietly. It was a hard thing to say, knowing that he would be obeyed, knowing that his request would cause friction between Astrid and her father. A part of him wished he could just allow her to be sent away, when it was so clearly what she wanted.

Butwhywas that what she wanted?

Her whole demeanor had changed when he had suggested they might not marry. She hadn’t simply clarified that she would like to marry him, as he had expected. She had shut down. She had ceased to be the bold girl who had captivated him with the way she spoke.

It was the only time in the entire evening, thus far, that he had actually believed she was frightened.

She was afraid, but not of marrying him. Of displeasing him. Why?

The answer was obvious.She’s afraid of what will become of her father if I don’t find favor with her. She’s afraid he will be punished for his crime.

Conor felt terribly about that. He had wanted Tobias Dawson to feel fear, but he had never wanted that for Astrid. If only there was a way to communicate to her that her father wasn’t at any risk and wouldn’t be punished if the marriage didn’t go forward.

The only thing he could think of was to keep her at the table, to continue the meal they’d been having together. Maybe her comfort with him would increase, given a little more time.

Astrid sat slowly back down in her chair. She looked edgy now, uncomfortable, as if she had been caught trying to escape, and Conor felt worse.I keep making her feel badly.

He cleared his throat and tried to find something helpful to say. “I enjoy your company, Miss Dawson,” he said at last.

“Yes, My Lord,” she murmured.

What was wrong with her? Had he frightened her after all? He felt his stomach drop. He had been trying so hard not to intimidate the poor girl, knowing as he did that she was at a disadvantage.

Then her gaze darted up to him.

It was the briefest of glances, but it was full of meaning. There was fire in her eyes. Anger. She resented being ordered to stay, and she wasn’t afraid to let him know it.

He definitely should have felt insulted. He was very unused to commoners standing up to him, even to this degree. And though women tended to keep their distance, they were always respectful of him.

But Astrid was different.