Page 35 of Corrupting his Duchess (A Duke’s Undoing #1)

A nna sat with her mending in her lap, but the needle hadn’t moved for ten minutes. Again.

The drawing room was warm with late-morning light, though the fire burned steadily despite the sun. Their mother sat nearest it, wrapped in a thick shawl that did little to hide the way her fingers trembled slightly as she lifted her teacup.

Heather was sprawled across the window seat, humming tunelessly while winding a ribbon through her hair. Every now and then, she glanced at Anna who sat near the hearth, then looked quickly away, then back again.

“Cousin Isaac is here. Again.”

She wrinkled her nose. “He’s closeted himself in the study since breakfast, muttering about arrears and accounts. As if Mama will suddenly start keeping ledgers.”

Anna smiled absently, her thoughts faraway. “He means to make himself useful.”

“Or important.”

Their mother wrinkled her nose. “Isaac thinks he does what your father would have done.”

Anna said nothing. Only flicked away an imaginary thread.

“You’re different,” Heather said, not looking up.

Anna blinked. “What do you mean?”

“You’re… floaty. Like you’re thinking about something good, and trying very hard not to smile about it.”

Their mother raised a brow without lifting her head. “She’s probably just relieved the house party is over. Those things can be exhausting.”

“Anna liked it,” Heather said. “She won’t say it, but she did. Something happened.”

Anna folded her hands tightly over the needle and thread. “You’re imagining things.”

Heather leaned over, stage-whispering, “Did you meet someone?”

“Heather– ”

“I’m only asking! You were gone all week, and a week after, you’re still practically glowing.”

Anna tried not to smile. She failed.

Their mother glanced over from her tea. “You do seem rather... peaceful this morning.”

“Peaceful?” Heather snorted. “She’s radiant. Practically humming.”

“I’m not humming,” Anna said, cheeks pink.

“You were humming,” Heather said. “When you brought in the post. You didn’t even notice.”

Anna pressed her lips together, failing to hide the smile tugging at them.

“I also don’t think you’ve moved that needle in ten minutes,” Heather said.

Before Anna could reply, a sharp knock came at the door.

A moment later, the maid entered, pale and breathless, eyes wide as saucers.

“Begging your pardon, ma’am– Lady Anna– there’s– there’s a caller.”

Her hands clutched her apron.

“Ma’am. Lady Anna. I– there’s– ”

“Calm down, Marian,” their mother said, setting her cup aside with a slight tremor in her fingers. “Who is it?”

The maid glanced at Anna, then back. “It’s– he’s– Your Grace, I mean– the Duke of Yeats. He’s here.”

The room went still.

Heather sat bolt upright. “I’m sorry– the what?”

The maid wrung her hands. “The Duke of Yeats. He asked for Lord Stenton. Said he’s in the front parlor.”

Their mother slowly rose, as if her joints had suddenly stiffened. “The Duke of– ? Here?”

“He arrived in a carriage, ma’am. The driver’s wearing Yeats livery. The footman is enormous.”

Anna’s heart thudded so hard it might have echoed.

Heather’s eyes were huge. “Anna. Anna. What did you do? Why is the Duke of Yeats at our door?”

“I– ”

She had no answer.

She wasn’t even sure she could breathe.

“Is it business?” her mother asked, half-dazed. “Isaac mentioned… well, no, he would have said something, wouldn’t he?”

“I– I think I should go see,” Anna murmured.

Heather caught her hand. “Anna. Did you know he was coming?”

Anna didn’t answer.

Heather gasped. “You did. Oh my word. Did he kiss you? He kissed you, didn’t he?”

“I’m going to the parlor,” Anna said, untangling her fingers.

She left the room in a daze, her heart pounding.

Behind her, Heather squealed softly, and her mother muttered something about finding a fresh handkerchief. But Anna didn’t hear the rest.

Anna stepped into the room, cheeks flushed and heart fluttering. Her cold hands clasped in front of her.

Henry turned the moment she entered, his eyes sweeping over her like he’d been holding his breath.

A wave of something fierce and tender surged up in her chest. The ache of missing him. The softness of wanting him. The staggering, terrifying truth that she loved him still– and possibly more than ever.

“Lady Anna,” he said, his voice low as he bowed deeply.

She barely had time to speak before he crossed the space between them, slower than urgent.

“I did not come here for your cousin. Not first. I came for you.”

Anna blinked, breath caught in her throat.

“I am not here because it is convenient. Or strategic. I am here because I love you.” He dropped to one knee, hand extended. “And if you would do me the honor, I would ask for your hand. Not as a contract– but as a promise.”

The room spun just slightly.

And just then– so quietly she almost didn’t hear– the door creaked open behind her.

She turned, just enough to see her mother standing in the doorway, shawl drawn tight around her shoulders, a hand pressed delicately at her collarbone. Heather stood beside her, wide-eyed and clutching the frame as if it were the only thing keeping her from floating away.

They said nothing.

Anna looked at them– and her heart filled. Heather smiled first, beaming, eyes glassy. Their mother followed, a single breath escaping her, one hand lifting slightly as if to say yes, child, go.

Anna turned back to Henry.

Then Anna laughed, soft and astonished, and stepped forward.

“Yes,” she whispered. “Yes, of course.”

Henry rose, took her hand and kissed her knuckles.

Her mother dabbed at her eyes.

Anna’s hand was still in Henry’s when the door creaked open again.

They both turned.

“Am I interrupting?” Isaac’s voice rang out far too loudly, far too pleased.

He stepped into the room with the air of a man arriving to accept praise. His coat was slightly rumpled, his cravat hastily retied, but none of that dimmed the smugness on his face.

He lingered in the doorway for a beat too long before stepping forward, as though steadying himself.

“Well, well,” he said, surveying the scene, Henry still standing close to Anna, her hand just slipping from his. Their mother seated, blinking rapidly, and Heather staring like she was watching the ending of her favorite novel.

Isaac’s grin stretched wider, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Your Grace. What a pleasure. I knew you were a man of good judgment.”

Henry’s jaw set. “Lord Stenton.”

“Oh, don’t be formal now,” Isaac said, waving a hand. “We’re practically family already, aren’t we?”

He looked from Anna to Henry again, nodding approvingly, as if appraising a fine match he’d personally arranged.

Isaac’s smile didn’t falter, but a twitch at the corner of his mouth betrayed the effort. He clasped his hands behind his back, the picture of importance. “I thought I heard voices. But I never imagined you’d get straight to it, Your Grace. Efficient as ever.”

Henry’s brow lifted. “Did you?”

“Well, yes,” Isaac gestured vaguely. “I mean, it was clear the connection was there. She’s done well, hasn’t she? And I always said she had... potential.”

Anna flinched at the word, just faintly. Isaac didn’t notice.

Henry’s gaze cooled, but he smiled. Just barely.

“I’ve come to ask for her hand.”

Isaac looked briefly stunned– then smug. “Well. Of course. I assumed as much.”

Henry stepped closer. “To be clear, Lord Stenton, this decision was made by myself. And Lady Anna.”

Isaac waved a hand. “Naturally. Naturally. But one likes to think one’s guidance had some hand in it.”

Anna said nothing.

Isaac looked at their mother, beaming. “You see, Aunt, all that quiet encouragement paid off. I told you we had to play the long game. She just needed the right environment. A proper guest list. Some elevation.”

Anna’s mother gave a faint, bemused nod. She looked caught somewhere between gratitude and confusion.

He turned back to Henry. “I daresay you’ve had time to think over our prior discussions. Timing is everything, after all.”

Henry looked at him. Carefully. Flatly. “Yes,” he said. “It is.”

Isaac puffed up even more. “You’ll find I’ve already prepared some notes regarding potential arrangements.

The marriage settlement should be straightforward, of course.

A formality. But the investment partnership– well, that deserves a more focused conversation.

I’ll speak with our solicitor about a preliminary draft. ”

He adjusted his cravat.

“Naturally, we’ll want to keep things balanced. Name recognition on one side, liquidity on the other.” He grinned. “A strong match in every way.”

Henry’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Indeed.”

“And let us not forget,” Isaac went on, “the helpful influence of certain guests.” He raised an eyebrow meaningfully. “Lord Vaun, for instance. Say what you will about the man, he has a keen eye for opportunity. Saw it in her from the start, didn’t he? Had a bit of interest, if I’m not mistaken.”

Henry’s posture went very still. Anna bristled at the name.

Isaac gave a shrug. “Of course, not all flirtations end in success. Still, he helped sharpen the edges, didn’t he? Made her aware of the company she could keep. We owe him something for that.”

Anna felt heat rising under her skin and Henry took her hand in his, comforting her quietly.

He turned to Henry again, his gaze faltering a little before steadying. “But you, Your Grace, you saw it properly. That’s the difference. You knew how to finish what others began.”

Henry said nothing.

Isaac mistook it for agreement.

Isaac chuckled. “Not that it matters now, of course. In the end, it took a duke to recognize what was truly valuable.”

Henry said nothing.

“And I’ll leave the romantic details to you two,” Isaac said, gesturing vaguely at Anna. “Though I must say– I’m glad you took my advice to heart.”

Henry said nothing.

Anna finally spoke, her voice crisp. “What advice was that, Cousin?”

He turned, surprised. “Why, to remain steady. To show your better qualities. Obviously the duke was watching.”