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F ROM THE MOMENT Hector had left the warmth of Maddie’s bed, his heart had pounded fast. A part of him wanted to enjoy the memory of being inside her, kissing her, and the lovely expression on her face when she’d found her release.

Another part wanted to marry her now. Immediately.

Without delay. Eloping if necessary. Gretna Green.

He had no idea why the urge to make her his wife sent him into a frenzy, but he wanted to be sure she didn’t think, not for one moment, that he would leave her after a fumble with her.

He wasn’t one of those rakes who seduced a lady and then left her.

He scoffed as he tried to tie his cravat for the third time. Stupid thing.

His restless fingers didn’t seem able to button his shirt as well.

Yet he ought to be quick. Ernest had sent him an urgent message, requiring his presence in Maddie’s house.

An emergency meeting. He had an idea of what Ernest wanted to talk about.

The cravat fell loose on his chest. To hell with the cravat.

He simply knotted it around his neck like a scarf and hurried out of his bedroom, only to skid to an abrupt halt.

Quentin stood in the corridor with an arm around the waist of a woman. Not again. He clenched his fists, ready to defend himself or the lady if his cousin got aggressive again.

Quentin rubbed his chin, giving Hector a long once over. “You know, I’m sorry to have called you an idiot.”

Hector ignored him and angled towards the woman. “Are you here on your own free will, ma’am?”

She rolled her red-painted lips together. “Very much.”

He bowed his head. “Then enjoy your company.”

Quentin pulled her closer and stepped in front of Hector, blocking his path. “Please commit other atrocities as the one you performed in Hyde Park. It makes my solicitor’s work easier.”

“Go to hell, Quentin.” He sidestepped the couple.

“Your mother will never rest in the family crypt.” Quentin’s angry words echoed in the hallway.

Hector skidded to an abrupt halt. Red spots blotched his vision. He turned around, fighting the urge to punch the smile off his cousin’s face.

“Well?” Quentin darted his tongue over his bottom lip. “Do you want a fight?”

“What is this all about?” the woman asked.

Quentin released her and waved Hector closer. “Come here, Cousin. Show me what you can do.”

Oh, Hector was tempted to pummel some sense into His Disgrace.

But he’d taken an oath to behave like a gentleman, and a gentleman didn’t go around punching people, not even those who deserved it.

Besides, likely Quentin hoped for just that.

He wanted Hector to lose control before crying bloody murder.

He’d caused enough trouble to fall into Quentin’s little trap.

If he weren’t worried about the Irish workers, he’d slam his fist against his cousin’s jaw. He was finally learning a duke’s job.

“Give me the Savage Duke,” Quentin said.

Hector clenched his jaw and started down the stairs. “At least today your lover isn’t a child. It was about time you decided to pursue a woman.”

As he pulled the front door open, the high-pitched voice of the lady came from upstairs. “A child? What did he mean by that?”

Hands shoved in his pockets, he strode down the pavement towards Maddie’s house.

He needed a walk and, to be honest, wasn’t fond of the carriages.

Too much rocking and jolting. Thank goodness there weren’t many people around.

The freezing air had returned, bringing rain and icy gusts, discouraging the Londoners from promenading.

His mind was crowded enough with thoughts to deal with people.

Should he propose to Maddie right now? What if she felt oppressed by him?

Maybe he should wait. No, he didn’t want to.

But it’d be better if he became a duke first and solved the chaos with Quentin.

God, it might take months. His head was about to explode.

He slowed his pace as he arrived at the spot where he’d discussed his passion for botany with Robert.

It’d been right before the incident with Maddie.

No, he hadn’t forgotten his promise to make amends.

Once he was the Duke of Blackburn, he’d help her become the artist she wanted and deserved to be.

Then he’d propose, and if she rejected him, he’d provide for her anyway.

He’d always be ready to help her, no matter what she decided to do.

His heart beat more slowly when he entered Maddie’s house.

Just smelling her scent had a therapeutic effect on his nerves.

The maid showed him to the drawing room where Ernest and Maddie were having tea.

Hector hurried to her as his pulse quickened again.

His heart was confused. Lord, he wanted to sweep her off her feet, kiss her, and beg her to marry him.

“How are you?” He took her hand and was pleased to find it warm and steady. Even her cheeks had returned to their usual healthy colour.

“I’m well.” She blushed fiercely, which brightened her beautiful eyes. “I slept soundly. It was a very restful night.” She flashed a coquettish smile that stirred his blood.

Not that it took much to stir it. He’d want her even if she’d made a comment on the weather.

Ernest cleared his throat. “Shall we start?”

Reluctantly, Hector turned towards the solicitor. “I’d like to apologise for what happened in the park.”

Ernest put down his cup of tea. “It was unfortunate and tragic for Maddie and Verity, and a complete disaster for our plan to make everyone believe you aren’t a savage.

Blackburn sent me a letter from his chosen physician.

” He showed the document. “The physician, Dr. Trevor Smith, declared you with mental and emotional issues thus unsuitable to hold the title.”

Hector took the letter and read it. “But no one visited me.”

Ernest spread his hands in a ‘what did I tell you’ gesture.

“What can we do?” Hector asked.

If he was going to be honest, he hadn’t the foggiest idea of how he could restore his reputation. He could build a shelter in a matter of hours, catch fish in minutes, and fend off rabid monkeys with only a stick. But convincing society he was a civilised person? Not a clue.

“You must make an appearance at another party to quench the rumours.” Ernest shook his fist as if he gave a speech to a demoralised cricket team.

“The boat trip was a disaster from every point of view. Pardon my bluntness. The ladies are shocked, Blackburn spreads the rumour the Savage Duke is deranged, and even the prime minister expressed his concern.”

Hector slouched his posture. The last few days had been filled with strong emotions—the fear of facing the water again, his first, and hopefully not last, night with Maddie, and now the disappointment of having ruined all the hard work Maddie, Verity, and Ernest had done.

“And it can’t be just a dinner party,” Ernest continued. “But an event organised by a well-respected member of the ton. Someone whose word means something to the peers. Thankfully, we finally have a bit of luck.” He turned his attention to Maddie.

“Lord Naylor is hosting a charity lunch in his house this week,” Maddie said. “His daughter Frances convinced him to invite you.”

“Frances?” Hector rubbed his forehead. “She couldn’t even glance at me when we had tea at Dr. Landon’s.”

“Yes,” Ernest said, “but I think she appreciated your silence and by asking her father to invite you, she’s returning the favour. I guess not having involved her turned out to be the right thing to do.” He gave a quick smile.

The idea of another party didn’t thrill Hector, but after all the damage he’d caused, he could only nod and do his best. “I’ll do exactly what you ask me to do.”

Ernest didn’t seem pleased. Since the incident, he regarded him with coldness, and Hector understood his concern.

Maddie smoothed a wrinkle on her skirt. “Ernest, would you mind if I have a word with Hector?”

“Of course not.” Ernest stood up and bowed. “I have to see how Verity is faring. Good day.”

The moment he was out of the room, Maddie sprang up and wrapped her arms around Hector’s neck. He closed his eyes for a moment, welcoming her soft body and scented skin.

“I’m so sorry.” She tilted her head up, her emerald eyes shining with tears. “Your cousin isn’t only a terrible duke, but an awful person.”

He caressed her dark curls. “That’s why he’s going to lose his title.”

She hugged him tightly and rested her head on his chest. “I’ve missed you today. I kept thinking about you.”

“So did I. Are you sore?”

“A little.” She giggled, and the sound was like that of the angels singing for him. “But I feel wonderful.”

“I’m not going to leave you. You know that, don’t you?”

“I do.”

“I mean it.” He stroked her cheek with his knuckles. He opened his mouth to tell her again he wanted to be with her no matter what, but she gazed up at him and placed her chin on his chest.

“I want to sketch some of those plants and animals you saw on the island.”

“Do you want to illustrate the book?” That was his opportunity to make amends.

She beamed, and her whole face became radiant with happiness. “I want to try. Since you’re here, I keep sketching more.” She wiggled her fingers. “And my fingers are less stiff. I can control them a little better.”

He kissed her fingers. “Let’s sketch then.”

Hector could watch Maddie draw all day. Her face tightened and relaxed, depending on what she sketched.

When she drew the chiaroscuro, her brow furrowed, but when she drew the lines of a silhouette, her expression softened and she smiled.

After the conversation with Ernest, they didn’t have much to do but wait for the lunch.

In fact, it was better if Hector didn’t show himself around, lest the rumours grow.

So he was with Maddie, working on his book.

“Was the flower like this?” She showed him the sketchbook with flowers, plants, and animals he’d described to her.