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The Duke nodded in understanding. “And as I said already—twice now, in fact.” A disappointed glance at Teresa. “This entire thing is a misunderstanding. Your daughter…”

He looked at Hannah, who bowed her head, feeling a mix of shame of nerves because, despite the misunderstanding and the lack of fault, she still felt responsible. Why, she could not even bring herself to look at Selina, for the guilt was too great.

“… she did not know I was in this room when she came in, and she removed her clothes before I had a chance to warn her of my presence.”

“But how is that possible?!” Lord Ramsbury cried, mustering the courage. “Forgive me, Your Grace, but that seems highly dubious.”

The Duke raised an eyebrow at him, and he shrunk back. “You still doubt me? What is more, you doubt your own daughter?”

Lord Ramsbury opened his mouth to argue but then caught his tongue, seemingly thinking better of it.

“Fine.” The Duke shrugged. “I see that nothing I say will convince you otherwise. What is more, if I were to leave here right now, I fear the rumors that will spread…” He cast a warning glare at Teresa. “Your daughter’s name might not mean much to you, Lord Ramsbury, but my own name willnotbe sullied because of you. Therefore, I have an offer.”

A pause as he looked right at Lord Ramsbury, who took a moment to understand what was happening. “I-I am listening.”

Hannah could not explain how she knew what was about to happen, yet somehow she did. Her body flushed red, and her stomach twisted. She might have cried out in protest if she had been able to summon the courage to do so.

“I propose that in lieu of marrying Miss Gouldsmith, I marry your daughter, Lady Hannah, instead.”

Chapter Three

“Ex—excuse me?” Lord Ramsbury stammered, bewildered.

“Did I stutter?” the Duke responded coolly. “I proposed that I marry your daughter, Lady Hannah?—”

“No!” Hannah cried suddenly, the words escaping her lips as if of their own volition.

All heads turned to look at her, and again she was reminded of her current, semi-naked state. Her eyes went wide, and she hastened to cover herself further, glancing around for a savior of some sort to sweep in and take her far from here.

But not before she made certain that the Duke’s proposal was not taken seriously.

“Father! There is no way—surely, you cannot consider this!”

Her father looked at her for a minute, shook his head, and then turned to the Duke. “A marriage proposal? You are serious?”

“Do I not look serious?”

“I…” Lord Ramsbury hesitated, and then the smallest of smiles crept up the side of his face. “Interesting…”

“Father!” Hannah wanted to go to him but feared removing herself from the wall, for it was her only means of protection. “You cannot be serious! This is… this… he is set to marry Selina!”

“N-no!” Selina blurted out. Her eyes were wide as if from fear, as if the very idea of marrying the Duke terrified her. “Please… I cannot… not after this.”

“Selina, quiet!” her mother snapped and then turned to the Duke, her tone softening. “Your Grace, let us consider this before?—”

“Mother, no!” Selina gasped and took a step back. “I—” She hesitated as she looked at her mother’s warning scowl. “This is too much!”

With that, she turned on her heels and sprinted out of the room.

“Selina!” her mother shouted after her, looking as if she would give chase, only to turn toward the Duke again. “Your Grace, this is all very… hasty. How about we take the night and?—”

“A night will not change my mind,” he cut her off. “You have made your feelings toward me clear, and nothing you say will alter that. I am sorry, but the wedding is off.”

“You!” Teresa pointed an accusatory finger at Lord Ramsbury. “This was your doing! I knew it!”

“Oh, do not be ridiculous, Teresa! Besides, I have not yet agreed to His Grace’s proposal.”

“Phineas…” Lady Ramsbury took her husband by the arm and raised both eyebrows at him. “We cannot possibly turn this offer down.”