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Daphne’s smile was radiant. “I should be delighted, Haskell. I am certain that my grandmother will also be amenable. Please do take my every encouragement to His Grace.”

“I will and I am glad that the timing of my arrival was so fortuitous.”

“As am I, Haskell. You have my thanks.”

Alexander glanced at the earl. “But first, I will see this ruffian taken into the custody of the magistrate.” He pulled a velvet sack from his pocket, for this was his chance to put the real gem in the earl’s possession. “And this prize returned to where it rightfully belongs.”

“An excellent plan, Haskell,” Daphne said and it took everything within Alexander to keep from bestowing a triumphant kiss upon her lips.

That would have to wait until the afternoon, assuming that Lady North Barrows accepted his offer for Daphne’s hand.

* * *

“I find it most curious,” Eurydice said that night when the sisters were alone in their chamber together dressing for dinner.

“That the duke should want to marry me?” Daphne teased, certain that nothing could be better in her world. All had been explained to the earl and the true gem exchanged for the replica, Nathaniel Cushing had been taken into custody and through it all, Alexander had pretended to be his own man, Haskell.

He had arrived in his full splendor in the afternoon to ask for Daphne’s hand in marriage.Grandmamanhad been surprised and had only agreed when Daphne entreated her to do as much. The match was a brilliant one for Daphne, to be sure. IfGrandmamancast a more shrewd glance over Alexander after that, it could not be that much of a surprise.

Alexander had brought a salve for Daphne and insisted upon applying it to her cheek with his own fingers, the blue simmer of his gaze making her feel adored indeed.

Matters could not be better.

She sighed contentment and scarce even listened to Eurydice. Her sister had been over Nathaniel’s scheme repeatedly, apparently fascinated with the doings of crime.

“Not that,” Eurydice said with impatience. “I meant Haskell’s eyes.”

“His eyes?”

“They were blue today when he rode to your rescue. Indeed, they were like blue fire.”

“Yes,” Daphne agreed happily.

“But I am quite certain that at the tavern, they were brown.”

Daphne blinked. “You might have been mistaken,” she dared to say. “We barely glimpsed him at the tavern.”

“I do not think so,” Eurydice said with her usual conviction. “I noticed that they were quite nice eyes. I wouldn’t forget them.”

Daphne exhaled. “What a shame it is that you couldn’t look again today, what with him riding immediately for the magistrate.”

“It is a shame,” her sister agreed. “I shall have to take a closer look once we arrive in London. Are we truly going to stay in the duke’s house in Grosvenor Square?”

“Yes!” Daphne said, accepting the change of subject with relief. “He said it made more sense, sinceGrandmamanwould have to let a house and his is simply sitting there, awaiting the pleasure of her arrival.”

“She liked that turn of phrase,” Eurydice said, which was true. “And we are casting him out?”

“Not exactly. She said he should stay somewhere else until we are married.” Daphne realized that his impassioned response might have been what changed her grandmother’s mind about the match. “He said he would get a special license instead.”

“He does want to marry you!”

“And I cannot wait to marry him,” Daphne said. All she wanted truly was an hour alone with Alexander, but she had a feeling that what they might do in that hour was better accomplished after their marriage vows had been exchanged.

She thought of the thrum in his voice when he had vowed to get that license and knew their match would be one of the happiest of all time.

She would ensure it was so.

* * *