Page 117 of Corrupting his Duchess

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.”