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“And as I said, we can leave.”

“Oh, now you are just being silly.”

“Coming from you! Ha!”

Isabella shook her head at her Louisa as she stepped in front of her to greet Duncan. There was no kiss on the cheek to greet him. And she stayed back slightly, careful not to get tooclose, fidgeting nervously with her hands as she looked him over quickly, and then away as if embarrassed.

Duncan eyed her a moment, taking just a little pleasure at seeing the flush in her cheeks as she purposefully refused to meet his eyes It had her looking away, exposing the side of her neck...

Which, of course, had Duncan’s mind racing to the previous night. His urge to bite into that neck and lick up her skin was infuriatingly tempting.

And with how she is behaving this morning, she would deserve everything that I gave her.

“Good morning, Your Grace,” Isabelle began with a hint of nervousness. “How did you sleep?”

“I was sleeping very well,” Duncan said, giving his head a shake and snapping himself into the moment. “That was before I was woken up by what I thought was a battle happening just outside my doorsteps. And invasion, it sounded like.”

If it had been anyone else, an apology would have been offered. If not for the noise made, then for the invitation extended without first asking Duncan for permission. That was expected and proper and certainly not too much to ask!

Isabella was not anyone else.

“You were still asleep?” she frowned. “At this hour?”

“I had trouble falling asleep last night and was hoping for an extra hour in the morning to catch up. The fool I am, think I might be afforded such a thing in my own home.”

“Well, that explains the morning wear...” She flicked her eyes over him and grinned to herself. “Although I do ask that the next time my sisters visit, if you might dress more appropriately.”

Duncan hadn’t even considered what he was wearing. Dressed in an old pair of thin cotton breeches and a nightshirt, the outfit was highly inappropriate. And that wasn’t to mention the smell his body surely permitted and how messy his hair was. He must have looked a fright.

His eyes went wide, and he half stepped back as if he meant to flee. One hand shooting down to cover himself. “And I would ask that I am told in advance the next time you plan on having company.”

“In my own home?” she responded coolly. “I had no idea I needed to make such a request. Would the same be said of everything else I do? My sister needs to use the washroom, is that agreeable with you?”

“May I?” the Duchess stepped in. “I really need to --”

“A warning is all that I require,” Duncan cut her off, feeling himself growing irate – again, it was as if she wanted him to! “It is common curtsey. I am sure that even you can respect that.”

“And as my sister has explained, I was as caught by surprise by their visit as you. Perhaps if you did not sleep in so late, this might not have been a problem.”

“My sleeping patterns are not your concern.” A knowing smile came to his lips, which he made sure that she saw. “You made that clear last night, after all.”

Her cheeks flushed further, and she looked away. “A decision that I can see now is the right one.”

It was becoming tense again.

He and Isabella bickering. The two sisters standing there awkwardly, looks on their faces like they wanted to be anywhere else. And Duncan’s express desire to save face by doubling down and reminding Isabella of her place.

Why does this always happen? Can the two of us not speak without fighting!

The danger inherent in the situation was clear and were it just himself and Isabella, this time Duncan might have very well given in. He was certain now that she was doing it on purpose. That was the only explanation that made sense.

At least it was the only one that he wanted to listen to.

But Isabella’s sisters were standing right there. They were watching, eyes wide, likely shocked by this already hostile interaction.They have no idea...

Duncan had gone through with this marriage for the simple reason of saving his reputation. But if word was to get out about how he spoke with his wife, it would completely undercut the entire point. And that simply would not do.

He needed to diffuse.