Page 7

His question was simple in nature, but the answer had sent her mind reeling. She had only just told her mother about her life’s plan of being a spinster, there was no way she was going to admit that to a man she just met.

Although, he promised not to tell anyone about the list, would he give her the same allowance with this information?

But would it matter if he disclosed this information to others?

She had every intention of retiring after this season so soon everyone would know she was destined for a life of spinsterhood.

The Duke waved his hands in front of her face. “Lady Beatrice? You’re not blinking. Are you well?”

Beatrice pushed his hand away from her space. “Yes, I’m well. What do you take me for?”

Graham shrugged. “I don’t know. I asked you a question and you just stood there staring at me like I had grown a second head.”

“I was processing my response.” She said, defensively.

“Well your processing face looks like you lost all sense of consciousness.” He quipped.

Beatrice’s vision turned red. “You have a lot of nerve-”

“I do.” He said, quite pleased with himself.

She grumbled. “Must you interrupt me!”

Her voice carried across the veranda and had the now mingled group of young men and women turning to look at the pair.

Graham raised his glass to them in amusement.

“Is something amiss, Lady Beatrice?” One of the girls asked.

Graham returned his gaze to the now fuming Beatrice. “Yes, Lady Beatrice, is all well?” He asked with false concern.

Beatrice narrowed her eyes at him before schooling her face to the facade of calm.

“Yes, Claire, all is well. Just a misunderstanding between the His Grace and I. Thank you for your concern.” She dipped her head and turned back to the Duke who was leaning against the railing with the air of indifference.

“Must you be insufferable?” She whispered.

Graham considered her words with pursed lips. “If the situation calls for it. Now. Have you had time to process your reply to my question or do you need another minute?”

Beatrice rolled her eyes. With a quick glance to make sure the group on the other side of the veranda returned to their own conversation she finally answered.

“I have concluded you do not need to know in order to understand it is of sensitive nature it would be indecent of me to disclose such intimate information to a man I had just officially met.”

Graham studied her with a peculiar look on his face.

Beatrice smiled and repeated his words in jest. “Hello? Are you still in there?”

His eyes cleared and a knowing smile spread across his face. Something about the change in his demeanor unnerved her.

“What is it?”

Graham stood and slowly shook his head as he considered her. “Spoken like a true businessman. Or, I should say businesswoman. You are quite intelligent, Lady Beatrice.”

His praise felt like a trap.

She raised an eyebrow. “Thank you?”

“No need to question it. It is a compliment I do not offer to many.” He continued to look at her, setting off alarm bells in Beatrice’s mind.

“I have another proposition for you.” He offered.

Beatrice took a step back. “I don’t think that’s wise.”

Graham noted her retreat but stayed where he was.

“You didn’t hear the proposal.”

Beatrice folded her arms across her chest. “After last night’s proposal I think I am safe to decline before this goes any further.”

Graham rocked back on his heals. “Odd response considering my proposal helped you check off an item on your list. And while I do not know the reasoning behind the list the fact we are having this conversation reveals this list means a lot to you. My new proposal will help you with the entirety your list.”

Beatrice couldn’t help but feel there was a trap someone in his response, but the thought of having someone help her check off the items was too good to pass up. Plus, it would relieve her poor maid, Candace, from the guilt of going behind her mother’s back to aid her.

“How so?” She cautiously took a step forward.

Graham pulled out the familiar piece of paper and unfolded it.

Seeing her list in his hands caused her heart to race. Her fingers itched to reach out and grab it but she was afraid any sudden movement would cause a scene.

“I could easily get you into the party you were after last night.” His eyes scanned the page. “There’s definitely drinking and gambling that will be easier for you to take part in with me at your side”

The image of him at her side did something to her insides. Her clothes began to feel odd against her skin. She shifted her feet as she tugged the ribbon around her neck.

“You were technically in the ‘wild side’ of London last night, but there is definitely more to be seen there. And well,” he dropped the paper to look at her, “I already helped you with the first item on your list, it only seems fair that I help with the rest.”

Beatrice blushed and tried to look anywhere he was not but he seemed to take up the entire space in front of her.

Her eyes couldn’t help but wander back to him.

“I can help you accomplish every item on this list… except for the last one.”

Beatrice tilted her head in confusion. The last one? She ran through the list in her head. She had just rewritten it this morning.

Kiss someone, the wild side of London, drinking and gambling. What one is he referring to?

Her eyes drifted down to the paper that he now held in front of him. Through the paper she could see her handwriting and although it was backwards she could see it as clear as day.

6. Fall in love

Her eyes widened in embarrassment.

“I have no intention of having you fall in love with me, Lady Beatrice.”

“No need to worry about that, Your Grace. I have no intention of falling in love with you or anyone, for that matter. It is not for me.”

She cringed.

Drat. Did I give my just give my reasoning away?

Graham shook his head and offered his hand.

“Do we have a deal, Lady Beatrice?”

Beatrice looked at his hand then back up to him.

“No.”

Graham clucked his tongue and lowered his hand. He picked up his glass and finished his drink.

“Come find me when you change your mind.” He started past her.

“You mean if I change my mind.” She said defiantly.

He stopped at her shoulder and leaned into her. His breath tickling her neck.

“When.”

Then he was gone.