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V erity couldn’t have been more relieved when Mr. Holcome left, for the tension that had gripped her caused her body to ache.

She rubbed her jaw as she let the Duke lead her tenant out the door, needing a moment to herself. Or mostly to herself. Her aunt was still sitting in the corner with her embroidery.

“That could have been worse,” Eugenia remarked.

“It also could have been better,” Verity admitted. “I don’t know what came over me. And the Duke… he is rather good at this sort of business. Mr. Holcome is nearly whistling. Did you see that?”

Her aunt nodded. “I did. Such an obnoxious man.”

Lips twitching, Verity asked, “Mr. Holcome or the Duke?”

There was no answer to such an insolent question, as they both well knew. So no one answered.

The conversation shifted to more innocent subjects as the Duke returned and announced that he would be taking a walk around the grounds, needing to stretch his legs in the dreary weather.

Verity had the pleasure of enjoying the rest of her afternoon without him around.

Though she was willing to host the Duke, it was not necessarily a pleasure. The man was quiet and stern and unfriendly. He held his head high like he was better than them—which, of course, he would automatically assume seeing his rank.

The thought alone was enough to drive her mad.

The day passed uneventfully, and the following morning was dreary yet free of rain.

She sent out their groom again, who explained that repairing the bridge would take time.

But there was talk about building a rope bridge.

Or perhaps the other bridge ten miles south had not been flooded.

Ernest would confirm that on the morrow.

In the meantime, at least they had access to the tenants and their village.

Verity spent her morning in the garden collecting vegetables, before returning to find her aunt’s friend, Mrs. Pennyhen, who had stopped by for a visit.

Verity stopped in the doorway. She wondered if she still had time to hide. But just as she thought that, the two ladies looked up and beamed.

“Oh, there’s the lovely lady!” The vicar’s wife beamed up at her from her seat. “Do come and join us. Your aunt has the most entertaining stories.”

Smiling, Verity wiped her hands on her apron. “Good morning, Mrs. Pennyhen. What a pleasure it is to see you. Indeed, Aunt Eugenia is very clever.”

That coaxed a snort from her aunt. “Clever is a word meant for fools. Do be sensible, Verity. As for you, Jane, you’ve been squirming in your seat for an hour until you saw my niece. What are you hiding? You know I’ve never been patient with your dramatics.”

Her sharp tongue only made Mrs. Pennyhen titter like it was a jest.

Smiling, Verity cautiously took a seat on the nearby cushion. Her aunt’s shrewd eyes narrowed on their guest, clearly believing something was amiss. So Verity looked back at Mrs. Pennyhen.

“You must think me dreadful. Lady Wetherby, you can see everyone right to the bottom of their soul. The Lord above must be very proud of you.” Mrs. Pennyhen smiled, but it was then that Verity could finally see the shadow in her eyes.

Her smile began to fade. “I have the most worrying news, my dears.”

Verity glanced at her aunt for a second. “Whatever could it be? Are your children well?”

Mrs. Pennyhen furrowed her brow. “My children? Oh, certainly, they are healthier than anyone else I know. No, I’m afraid it is a ghastly rumor that has started about the village.

There’s a bee in everyone’s ears. Even the children speak of it.

They say…” She hesitated, looking around worriedly before scooting to the edge of her seat.

Then, she leaned forward and whispered, “They say that an eligible gentleman is currently residing under your roof.”

“You speak nonsense. There is a gentleman, but there is no confirmation of his eligibility,” Eugenia scoffed.

“So it is true!”

Verity swallowed loudly. “Auntie, really, you shouldn’t say such things.

I’m afraid she is right, Mrs. Pennyhen. Lord Northcott has been staying with us since the bridge was flooded in the storm two days ago.

But there should be no concern. Even if he is unattached, my aunt is here.

We also have our servants. There shouldn’t be…

” she trailed off as Mrs. Pennyhen shook her head with a dramatically morose expression.

A heavy weight settled on her chest, making it hard to breathe. She put a hand over her ribs, falling silent as she focused on her breathing.

“Why is the village talking about our private business?” Eugenia demanded. “We leave them alone well enough.”

Mrs. Pennyhen cleared her throat. “So the… the Iron Duke is here?”

Everyone calls him that. And for what? Perhaps the man is cold and unfeeling and strange. Dangerous, even, as is anyone with an ounce of power. I heard something about his wife’s passing some years ago, but it is hardly my concern. I pray.

Verity thought of the argument she had with him upon Daniel Holcome’s arrival. They hadn’t been improper, she could tell anyone, but it would have appeared rather scandalous. Even as she prayed that all was well, her nerves had her on the edge of her seat.

“We said he is,” Eugenia said with a scowl.

“Well, everyone knows about it, and they are wondering why he is here. With you. After all, he is still young, is he not? He has no heir, and since he was widowed three years ago, perhaps… There is talk of him speaking most passionately with Lady Verity.”

A chill ran down Verity’s spine. She swallowed hard. “Passionately? We were arguing.”

“Verity is passionate by nature. We will surely have to set everyone straight,” her aunt muttered. “What a dull effort this shall be.”

“It might also be futile. Arguing with a lady already raises eyebrows. But arguing with a duke…” Mrs. Pennyhen trailed off to impress upon them the severity of the situation.

Gulping, Verity shook her head. “No, it wasn’t like that. We only?—”

Her aunt shot her the hardest look she’d ever seen, silencing her at once.

Oh dear.

As the two older women discussed their options, Verity hung her head. Now the entire village was talking about her. Mrs. Pennyhen mentioned that even London had caught wind of their situation.

No one remembered that Eugenia also resided there, that the Iron Duke and Verity had never been alone. Her aunt was so rarely seen outside of the manor that many forgot about her. She was not the best chaperone, they knew, though it had never been a concern.

Until now.

Horror crept through Verity’s bones inch by inch until she was forced to face the truth. Because nothing would save her now. Her father was considered a rebellious madman and her aunt a rich eccentric. In turn, she feared she was left with nothing.

Would anyone truly believe that nothing improper had happened since the Duke had arrived here?

She glanced around, her breath shaky, realizing she didn’t know what she could do.

A good life was supposed to be laid out for her. A respectable match, for example. She had been waiting for a chance to rebuild her life and start anew. But now, all of her hard work over the last four years was falling apart.

Her eyes stung. Balling her hands into fists to suppress the countless emotions rising within her, she closed her eyes and slowly inhaled.

This cannot happen. I don’t care what the Duke does, but I must have him fix this problem at once. I cannot be shunned here. I will not have it!

Storming off, Verity searched half the house before making her way to the stables, where she finally found the Duke. She ensured that not a drop landed on her dress as she approached the corner where he was saddling his horse.

“There you are.” She caught her breath and scowled at the bags tied to his saddle. “You’re leaving?”

Slowly turning to look over his shoulder at her, the Duke furrowed his brow. “Surely, this is what you desired most. The weather has cleared, and I cannot stay here. There’s another bridge ten miles south. I should reach it before dark. There’s no reason for me to stay.”

The venom in her mouth soured the words she spat out. “Except for the fact that I am ruined now.”

Cold satisfaction spread through her as the Duke dropped his hands to his sides and slowly turned around to face her. She lifted her chin. The man stared at her like he was waiting for something, but she was not going to do anything until he took responsibility for his actions.

“What is it you speak of, My Lady?”

She scowled. “You really don’t know? Word has spread through the village. Soon, they’ll all know how the mysterious and strange Iron Duke has been found sleeping under the same roof as the Redcliff lady. The one with a ruined father and no dowry.”

Her aunt had offered to set aside some funds, but Verity could not accept that either. Her aunt’s money came from her late husband, and she needed it for her own comfort.

“I never meant?—”

Verity shook her head. “No, you never meant to, I’m sure. It just… happened. Are all lords as thoughtless as you?”

She watched as his face hardened, and then a line appeared in his brow. It was rather odd, she thought.

Her fingers itched to smooth out the strange wrinkle, but more lines appeared as the Duke scowled at her.

“This cannot be undone,” he said at last.

“Exactly,” Verity huffed, trying to gather her thoughts. “You should never have come here. If?—”

“I should have taken greater care. Now, there is only one thing to do.”

“Exactly, Your Grace. I… Well, you…”

Her breath caught as she realized she’d gotten ahead of herself. Having stormed over here, she had intended to scold him most thoroughly. But now he had accepted his mistake. Admitted to it. He even wanted to make amends, which she had not considered.

And in a situation such as this one, there was only one way to make amends.

Taking a step back, Verity narrowed her eyes at him. “Don’t you dare say what I think you intend to ask me.”

“We can marry within the week.”

He didn’t even ask properly. How can he think I will agree? Blast it, Aunt Eugenia always tells me to be more patient.

“No.”

He frowned. “Do you have another solution?”

“Well, no.” She winced at the awkwardness.

The Duke gave her a stern look. “My Lady?—”

“I didn’t?—”

“You will be ruined.” His words were mild for all that they cut deep into her soul.

She took another step back while he moved forward.

“The village will turn its back on you. Your tenants may leave or refuse to talk with you. To offer handshakes. There will be no traveling. No opportunities. No future.”

“Why would you say that?” Verity said shakily, putting a hand on her stomach. She must have eaten something awful that morning.

“Ruined, My Lady. There is no salvaging this situation and your reputation unless we marry. Already your name hangs by a thread,” he pointed out.

Gritting her teeth, she muttered, “Don’t you think I know this?”

“Then allow me to make amends.”

A wave of nausea hit her. “So you might ease your conscience?”

“It’s my mistake. My responsibility. You are my responsibility, My Lady, for I stayed under your roof and have compromised you. Daniel Holcome’s untimely arrival could not have helped matters. This is my fault, and I accept it, as you must accept me.”

I remember my dreams of marriage. Of a happy union. Of hosting successful supper parties and dancing and being courted. Of a beau bringing me flowers. Or a husband reading to me. But the Iron Duke would give me nothing I desire.

When she said nothing, the Duke cleared his throat. “I’m not offering romance, nor am I asking for it. There is little of me to give. But I can provide protection. Stability. Perhaps even peace.”

She didn’t know if she should laugh or cry.

What had she expected to happen when she came out to tell the Duke? If only he had been in the saddle and on his way out. Then, she wouldn’t have been able to talk to him, and they wouldn’t be in this predicament.

Either way, I would still be ruined.

“Say yes, My Lady,” the Duke urged. “Before it gets worse.”

There was a lump in her throat. She tried to swallow twice. Hands shaking as she smoothed the wrinkles in her dress, Verity glanced around and found no one else. Another mistake.

This gentleman surely brought out the worst in her.

Still, she nodded. There was little more she could do.

“Is that an acceptance of my proposal?”

“You don’t know how to propose,” she gritted out. “But so be it. I shall marry you. It is merely duty, so I shall not dress it up and ask for anything more.”

He paused. “It’s not dressed up. This is real. If you would prefer a more emotional proposal, I can kneel down and ask again. Is that what you need?”

The two of them stared at each other for a long moment, and yet Verity could not read him. She couldn’t sort out anything in his mind. She couldn’t even sort out the man himself. He was strange and stiff and always frowning.

Why couldn’t I keep my mouth shut?

She shook her head. Maybe it was time to let go of her dreams now.

Verity inhaled and spoke as calmly as she could, “That shall be all. We shall… marry.”