Page 30 of Second Duke's the Charm

Tess tried not to quail as Thornton’s gray eyes bored into hers.

“It’s clear you didn’t marry the old duke for love,” he said. “You’re obviously a pragmatic woman, in the same way that I’m a pragmatic man.”

They completed another graceful turn.

“I don’t care if you’re a fortune hunter. In fact, I rather hope you are. It will make this even easier.”

Tess couldn’t decide if she was amused, insulted, or outraged. “I—”

“I understand why you would have married for money and position. I applaud it, actually. It’s precisely the kind of thing I might have done, given the same circumstances. As distasteful as bedding an old man might have been, a little unpleasantness in exchange for a life of ease was a calculated risk that in your case paid off handsomely.”

Tess drew herself up and tried to sound worldly and sophisticated, instead of shocked to the core at his directness. She’d never met anyone who spoke quite so bluntly.

“You make me sound like a whore, who sold myself to the highest bidder.”

He didn’t deny it, and she crushed a feeling of disappointment at his low opinion of her. In his defense, he didn’t know that she hadn’t slept with the duke. He was only saying aloud what the rest of thetondoubtless whispered behind her back. In his eyes she was little better than a prostitute, and her behavior at Careby’s would only have confirmed her loose morals.

Such a conclusion was so far from the truth it was almost laughable, and Tess felt her lips curve up in amusement.

Thornton was still looking down at her, but his expression held neither condemnation nor disdain. If anything, he appeared impressed.Intrigued,even.

“It was a good business bargain,” he said. “You had few things to negotiate with, save your youth and beauty. And your virginity, of course.”

“Of course,” Tess managed faintly.

“The duke’s advanced years meant that even if he’d lived past the wedding night, you’d have been unlikely to spend much time with him. How did he die?”

A wicked desire to tease him for his high-handed assumptions seized her. He was rude and abrasive and unforgivably attractive. She wanted to discompose him as much as he was discomposing her.

“His heart gave out. When he saw me naked.”

His fingers tightened on hers, and his hot gaze made her feel as if she were bare again.

“Let’s hope I don’t have the same reaction.”

Tess almost swallowed her tongue. “To seeing me naked? What makes you think that will ever happen?”

“Because I wish to be your lover. And your husband.”

The dance ended on a triumphant twinkle of notes. Tess made to draw back from his embrace but he held her fast.

“Please, just listen.”

“We can’t dance two dances in a row. We’ll cause a scandal.”

His teeth flashed white as he laughed. “Oh, I think we’re already doing that, Scarlet.”

Tess sent a glance over to the side of the room where Ellie was watching them with eyes wide with speculation. Daisy, she discovered, had found herself a dance partner and was only a few couples away, presumably trying to eavesdrop. She caught Tess’s eye and flashed her a wicked smile of encouragement.

Since resistance was clearly futile against an object as immovable as Thornton, Tess acceded with good grace, and as the next dance began—a waltz this time—she returned her attention to the enigmatic man in her arms.

“Go on, then. Let me hear it.”

“I would like to propose a marriage of convenience. From a purely practical standpoint, you’re already used to being the Duchess of Wansford. As my duchess you will retain your position, and spare me from the tiresome process of having to woo other women.”

He bent his head, and his warm breath fanned the wispy hair at her temple. Her belly quivered. Awareness of him made her skin prickle; she knew to the inch how close his chest was to her own, the heat of his hand at the small of her back.

“On a physical level, it’s clear we’re compatible. This arrangement will provide us both with satisfaction, for the least amount of effort and risk.”