Page 34

“I do not understand why we cannot simply say what I want.”

“And that is precisely why we cannot,” she grinned. “I cannot have you thinking you have complete control over me.”

“Not yet. Perhaps when you are my wife?”

She raised an eyebrow at him, and he smirked.

“I know,” he said. “You shall be free to do as you please as promised. Very well, we shall continue on with your version of events, if that is what you wish.”

“In which case, as you have now allowed a discussion on the matter, I am willing to relent. We have been courting for three months now and wished for the debutantes to be the center of attention rather than the terrible news that another duke is no longer available.”

“You are impossible.”

“You proposed to me. You should have known that beforehand.”

“There is no ring,” he observed suddenly.

“Oh, are you eager to back out now?”

“No, not at all, but it is going to be difficult to explain that we are engaged when you are not wearing a ring.”

“Then why did you not give me one?”

“I did not have one on hand at the time. Forgive me, but I did not plan to find a wife at a party when I was not actively seeking a bride at all. Fortunately, I remembered one today and simply forgot to give it to you in the carriage.”

Samantha did not wish to marry, but she had always thought about the moment she saw her engagement ring for the first time. It was supposed to make her heart race and her face flush, something beautiful that had been in their family for generations.

Instead, she was given a pearl ring which he did not even put on her finger himself. He pressed it into her hand and then continued walking.

“Come,” he said as he walked. “We have people to convince.”

She followed along a few steps behind him whilst trying not to raise her voice at him. It would not have been appropriate in that setting.

“Is something wrong?” he asked. “You are not beside me now.”

“I’m surprised you have noticed.”

“I am here with you. That would suggest that I notice you, would it not?”

“You could say that, I suppose.”

“All right, we will stop here,” he sighed, facing her. “Why are you being so difficult? Is it so hard to smile and act as though you are happy?”

“Is it so hard to act as though you want to marry me?” she snapped.

She did not want to say it, and she knew that she sounded ridiculous, but she could not help herself.

“Let us continue,” she decided, forcing the ring onto her finger and walking ahead.

“What a lovely couple the two of you make,” one lady in a group of mothers said kindly. “Are the rumors true, perchance?”

“Is thetonnot always right about such matters?” The Duke grinned, taking Samantha’s hand.

“Oh, it is beautiful!” Another lady gasped.

“It was my mother’s. I have had it for years, and I had promised her to give it to the lady that at last made me fall in love.”

“Then you, my dear,” the first lady said, turning to Samantha, “are a very lucky lady indeed.”