Page 55 of A Duke Reformed (Icy Dukes #3)

He couldn't stand by and let her suffer because of a misguided act of desperation.

He had to help her, not out of any romantic notions, but because he understood, perhaps more than anyone else in the room, the consequences of being left without an option.

That was something he would never allow to happen, not on his watch.

"I am. It's not a challenge to find her a suitable match. I'll ensure she is married before any damage is done." His eyes flickered to Lavinia, noting the slight relief in her expression, though it was quickly masked by apprehension.

David's jaw tightened at Andrew's words. "You have no idea what you're saying. We've been trying to secure a match for years. She's been paraded around, yet no one has shown any interest. Not a single respectable man has come forward."

Andrew's eyebrows furrowed as he turned to look at Lavinia.

He couldn't understand David's words. From what he could see, Lavinia was beautiful.

There was no denying that. Her bright blue eyes were clear and expressive.

It looked like she was searching his soul every time she—very briefly—met his eyes.

There was an elegance to her that naturally drew his gaze, though it was something more subtle than the beauty most ladies in London were known for.

She wasn't the traditional type. Her poise was warm, inviting, and grounded in a way that seemed to go unnoticed by most.

He didn't know her, but the idea that she hadn't been snapped up by a suitor bothered him more than it should.

She was certainly not unattractive, though her style and the way she carried herself seemed to lack the polished edge others might expect.

Perhaps that was the issue. The way she dressed was simple, unassuming.

..nothing extravagant, nothing bold. She didn't stand out in the way that others did.

Her posture was graceful, but there was an underlying hesitance, something unrefined in the way she navigated the space around her.

It was something he could fix. With a bit of attention, he could see to it that she presented herself with the confidence that matched her potential.

"Leave it to me," Andrew said, prying his eyes off Lavinia. "I'll take care of it."

David didn't seem entirely convinced, but there was a clear pause, as if he was weighing the offer. "And if you can't find someone?"

"Then I'll marry her myself. Like you requested. But I'm certain that won't be necessary," Andrew declared.

"You will help me?" Lavinia asked, staring at him. "Honestly?"

"Yes," he replied, his tone steady. "I will help you. I'll find you a suitable match. I am quite a popular man. But, you'll need to trust me. I'll need you to be open to the changes I suggest. There's no time to waste."

David nodded, clearly relieved, his shoulders easing as if a weight had been lifted. "I appreciate this, Andrew. Truly," he said and sighed, turning to Lavinia. "Now, let's leave before any more damage is done."

Lavinia took a step to follow him, but before she could move any further, Andrew's voice stopped her. "One more thing, Lavinia."

She turned back swiftly.

We'll be having lessons," he said, his tone as unyielding as the steely gaze fixed on her. "You'll need to follow my instructions carefully, no exceptions. If we're going to secure you a match, you'll need to change how you present yourself, how you carry yourself, how you dress, everything."

He stepped closer, his presence towering over her. "You'll have to obey my every word. Do you understand?"

Instinctively, she assessed her dress before lifting her head to nod. "I understand," she finally replied, her voice quiet but resolute.

"Good," Andrew said and straightened his back. "We start tomorrow."

"Your Grace," Lavinia curtsied.

"Lady Lavinia," Andrew replied and scanned the park.

Lavinia glanced over her shoulder, where her chaperone, Mrs. Ellsworth, stood a few paces behind her. She was tempted to ask if she had heard anything noteworthy in the past day, to gauge whether rumors had started to spread about her meeting with Andrew. But she hadn't dared ask directly.

David had insisted that she meet Andrew at the park and now she was on edge.

It was one thing for him to help her find a match, but quite another for them to be seen together, even if the meeting was innocent.

He had a reputation, and it wasn't one she wanted to be associated with.

He was a rake, a man who lived for flirtation, for women who were just temporary distractions.

The thought of being linked to him in any way made her stomach turn.

The thought of marrying Andrew, or anyone like him, was unthinkable.

"What are you thinking about?" Andrew asked, snapping her out of her thoughts.

His hands were clasped behind him, his posture as perfect as ever.

But there was something different about him today, something that caught her off guard.

His usual rugged appearance had been polished, refined.

His hair, always a little too long, was neatly combed, and he wore a well-tailored coat today.

"We shouldn't be seen together like this," she said to him, scanning the park. "I thought we would meet in my brother's study, formulate a plan away from prying eyes. This...this is too public, Your Grace."

"It's crucial that we're seen together, Lavinia.

Publicly." He took a step closer and stood by her side.

"People need to start seeing that you are a person of interest. Rumors that we need will begin to spread once they see you with someone like me, whether you like it or not. It will create the momentum we need."

"But," she began, still unsure, "what if it backfires? What if it does more harm than good?"

"I thought I told you to trust me?" he asked, turning to her. He paused for a moment, his eyes flicking over to her chaperone, who stood at a distance, observing them. "I'll make sure the right rumors start to swirl. The key is for us to seem like we're already well acquainted."

Lavinia scanned the park again and shook her head. "I don't think it is a good idea, Your Grace. Wouldn't they think I'm...unavailable?"

"If they see a man like me, someone no one has managed to tie down showing any interest in you, they'll start to wonder what they've been missing.

Men of the ton are always chasing after the things they can't have, Lavinia.

It's simple. If they believe I'm after you, they'll start coming to you.

They'll see you as desirable, even if they didn't before. "

Lavinia slowly nodded. The notion made sense.

Now that she thought about it, she recalled that she had often heard it whispered among the ladies that it was the pursuit, not the prize, that truly captured a man's attention.

And if Andrew was right...if the ton began to see her as someone worth pursuing, perhaps she could finally escape the shadow of her failure and find a match that would secure her future.

"So, where are we going?" she asked.

"Back to your home," he answered. "To David's study. The seed has already been planted. Once we get back to the study, we will start the lesson."

A short silence ensued between them as they continued walking, the sound of their footsteps the only noise filling the space between them. Lavinia tried to think of something to say, but the tension of the moment made her throat feel tight.

Finally, Andrew broke the silence with a wry smile. "You know, if we keep walking in silence like this, people might start to realize how awkward this is."

"It is awkward," she answered in a hushed tone. "Everything about this is awkward."

"Come now, Lady Lavinia," Andrew said and cleared his throat. "Tell me something about yourself. Something exciting. I need more information about you if this is going to work."

Lavinia hesitated, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "What would you like to know?" she asked carefully, though a small part of her regretted the question.

Andrew raised an eyebrow. "A simple question deserves a simple answer, doesn't it? You could start with your interests. What do you enjoy doing, when you're not stuck at balls or attending tea parties?"

"I enjoy reading," Lavinia replied, keeping her gaze ahead. "Books, mostly. Stories of adventure and history."

He chuckled lightly. "Books? You do realize that a man would find that dreadfully boring, don't you?"

Lavinia's brow furrowed and shot him a sideways glance. "Not all men," she snapped at him. "There are men that might appreciate a woman that reads."

Andrew's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Perhaps not, but most, I suspect. You know, I could always recommend a book for you. Something scandalous, perhaps, to spark a little excitement. Make you less...you."

Lavinia's breath caught at the thought. “I—I don't think I would find such things appropriate."

"Ah, come now," Andrew teased, giving her a sly smile. "You don't even know if you would like them, do you? How could you judge if you've never tried?"

Lavinia's cheeks flushed, and she glanced at the ground, suddenly finding the conversation a bit too personal. "I assure you, I am quite content with the books I read."

Andrew watched her reaction, the corners of his lips curling upward. "Oh, I'm sure. But tell me, what else? Are you a woman who dreams of grand romances? Or perhaps someone more pragmatic, focused on duty and obligation?"

Lavinia's heart raced at his probing questions, but she kept her composure. "I don't think I want to answer that question, Your Grace."

He studied her for a moment, clearly intrigued. "You're the romantic kind, aren't you? You want love and all the trappings that come with it. The grand gestures, the sweet words, the passion. Am I wrong?"