Page 53 of His Scandalous Duchess (Icy Dukes #4)

The duke's gaze lingered on Emma for a moment, his emerald eyes searching hers as though he were trying to decipher something.

Then, slowly, he tilted his head to the side and his eyebrows slightly furrowed.

It was a subtle gesture, almost imperceptible, but it felt.

.. intimate. Too intimate for a man she barely knew.

Emma's pulse quickened, but she managed to keep her expression as neutral as possible.

Was he silently probing her? Testing her?

Or was this simply how he looked at people?

Intensely, deliberate, as though he could see straight through them?

She couldn't tell, and that unnerved her.

For a moment, she felt as though she were standing on uneven ground, unsure of where to step.

It took her more time than needed, but she finally straightened her back, reminding herself that this was just a man.

A duke... yes, but still just a man. So she met his gaze with a calm steadiness she didn't entirely feel.

"Actually," Solomon finally spoke again. "There is another matter I wished to discuss. Miss Lockhart, might I trouble you for a moment of your time? A walk in the garden, perhaps?"

Emma's breath caught in her throat. A walk? With him? She glanced at her father, who looked positively delighted at the idea, and then at Cecilia, who was still staring at the floor, her face pale.

"A walk, Your Grace?" she questioned. "With me?"

"Yes. With you." He smiled faintly. "I reckon it wouldn't take that much of your time. We don't even have to leave the premises."

Howard beamed. "Splendid! Emma, do show His Grace the roses. They are in full bloom this time of year."

Emma forced a polite smile, even though her stomach churned with apprehension.

She couldn't refuse, not without appearing rude, and certainly not in front of her family.

So, swallowing her unease, she nodded. She didn't trust this man, not at all, and she wasn't sure what he could possibly want with her. But she had no choice.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward, making sure to keep her movements as graceful as possible despite the tension coiled in her chest.

"Of course, Your Grace. A walk would be... pleasant."

The duke offered her his arm. "Shall we?"

His simple gesture somehow managed to stun her. Emma couldn't recall the last time a gentleman had offered her his arm... or the last time she was called on. But before she could overthink it, Solomon tilted his head slightly, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"You're a spinster, are you not? This should be perfectly appropriate."

Emma's cheeks immediately flushed with indignation, her lips pressing into a thin line.

A spinster ? The word stung more than she cared to admit, and his casual delivery of it only made it worse.

She wanted to snap back, to remind him that manners dictated one never pointed out such things so bluntly, but she bit her tongue.

Instead, she forced a tight smile and placed her hand lightly on his arm.

"Of course, Your Grace," she said in a clipped tone. "How kind of you to remind me."

Solomon seemed oblivious to her irritation, or perhaps he simply didn't care. He began walking... taking long strides and Emma had no choice but to match his pace. Soon they were in the garden, and he finally slowed his pace, allowing them to actually promenade.

Once they were far enough from the house... far away from the sharp ears of her father, Solomon stopped walking and turned to face her. His expression turned serious, his eyes searching hers with that same uneasy intensity that made her pulse quicken.

"Miss Lockhart," he began. "I know this might seem strange and you might not know me well, but I figured speaking to you today was a necessity for the both of us."

Emma arched her eyebrows. "I am confused, Your Grace."

The duke sighed, his expression softening slightly.

"As you might have heard, I am new in London.

I don't know a lot about the ways of the ton , the rules, the expectations, the.

.. performances." He paused, his gaze drifting to the roses nearby.

"I was raised in the North, far from all of this.

My mother was a commoner, and my father.

.. well, up until the day he died, I didn't know of his existence.

When he passed away last year, I inherited his title, but not his connections.

Or his knowledge of how to navigate this. .. world."

Emma's defensiveness wavered as she listened. There was a rawness to his words, a vulnerability she hadn't expected from a man who seemed so self-assured. "I see," she said quietly, her tone less guarded now. "That must have been difficult."

"I need some assistance, Miss Lockhart," he continued. "I require your assistance."

Emma blinked, taken aback. "My assistance? Your Grace, I am not sure what I could possibly offer you."

"You know this world," he said simply. "You understand its rules, its nuances.You grew up here from what I've heard. You were quick to correct me last night at the garden when your sister... did what she did."

Emma had so many questions to ask him in that moment, but one thing he had said stuck in her mind, nagging at her like a splinter she couldn't ignore. "From what you've heard?" She repeated, her voice sharp with curiosity and a hint of unease. "If I may ask, what did you hear about me, Your Grace?"

Solomon inhaled deeply and placed both hands behind him.

"I've heard that your father frequents the gentlemen's clubs, looking for investors to save his failing business," he revealed.

"I've also heard that your family is putting up an act, pretending everything is fine when in reality, you are barely keeping your heads above water.

Everyone knows, Miss Lockhart. It's hardly a secret. "

Emma's cheeks flushed, humiliation heating her skin.

Her lips parted, but not to speak. She was so shocked that her jaw just gave way.

Quickly... but not as quickly as she would have wanted, she regained her composure, swallowing the lump in her throat.

"Your Grace, I must remind you that my family's affairs are private.

I don't know who has been sharing such..

. details with you, but I find it highly inappropriate. "

Solomon didn't flinch. "I understand your frustration, Miss Lockhart.

But I assure you, my intentions are not to pry or embarrass you.

I don't fault your sister for what she tried to do last night.

Desperate times often call for desperate measures.

If I were in her position, I might have done the same.

I only mention it because I want you to know that I understand, and because I believe I can help. "

Emma crossed her arms, her defensiveness rising like a shield."Your Grace, I would like to put an end to this conversation."

Solomon massaged his nape briefly before emitting a long sigh. "You're upset."

"Who wouldn't be?" she retorted. "First, you call me a spinster to my face, then you invite me out here to enlighten me about my family's financial problems and that we are on the brink of ruin. Forgive me if I am ever so eager to be done with this conversation."

"I was merely stating the facts," he argued. "And you called yourself a spinster first. It is the truth, or is it not?"

Emma's eyes narrowed, her irritation flaring. "The truth or not, it's hardly polite to point it out. Or do they not teach manners in the North?"

"They teach honesty, and I thought you might appreciate that. My goodness, I thought all of London would appreciate it. Clearly, I was wrong."

"Clearly," she answered, panting. Frustrated, she threw both hands in the air and sighed. "What are you doing here, Your Grace?"

Solomon crossed his arms. "I have already told you. I am here to help."

"Help?" Emma repeated. "By insulting me?"

"I come with an offer," he revealed. "I will give you as much money as you need to stabilize your family's finances. Name it. In return, you will educate me on the ways of the ton . Teach me, and I'll ensure your family's troubles are a thing of the past."

Emma stared at him, unable to believe her ears. "You want to... pay me... to teach you etiquette?"

"Yes, exactly," he affirmed.

"Why me?" she questioned.

"Because you have already started," he answered and lowered his head.

"And I know no one else better suited for the job.

Just tell me the things I should, or shouldn't say, the gestures that are appropriate or inappropriate, and how to navigate this labyrinth of rules and expectations.

I need the knowledge that you have and in return, I'll ensure your family's troubles are resolved. "

Emma stared at him, her irritation warring with the practicality of his offer.

He was infuriatingly blunt, yes, but he was also right.

Shedidknow the ton . She had spent years observing, learning, and surviving in a world that thrived on appearances.

And if she could use that knowledge to secure her family's future, how could she refuse?

"Surely, there are better suited people for this," Emma said, unable to just yield to him.

"Miss Lockhart, I did not offer you money in that garden but you still told me how inappropriate it was to be seen with a maiden in such a place even though the maiden seemed to be hurt," Solomon said. "In the end, it's up to you to take, or reject my offer. I cannot force you."

Emma stared at him, contemplating. The offer was tempting.

.. more than tempting. It was a lifeline, one she couldn't afford to ignore.

Her family was drowning in debt, her father's business teetering on the edge of collapse, and Cecilia's future hanging in the balance.

If she accepted his offer, she would not only stabilize their finances but also raise enough money for her and Cecilia's dowries.

Perhaps, if she played her cards right, using Solomon's connections, she could even finally secure a wealthy husband for herself, someone who could solve all their problems once and for all.

Desperation had a way of stripping away one's principles, and Emma was desperate enough to see the good in this.

"Very well," she said finally, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. "I accept your offer, Your Grace."

Solomon lifted his head and a faint smile crossed his lips. "Then we have a deal, Miss Lockhart."