The Duchess Deal: Girl Meets Duke

And always, always, thanks to my readers. If not for you, I would have to wear pants.

“Just leave the shift?” He seemed to read her thoughts. “Really, Emma. Don’t be absurd.” “My body’s changed. You’re not the only one with some vanity.” “I’m not even going to dignify this with conversation.”

“It’s a ring,” he said. “I love it.” “Emma, you haven’t opened it.” “Yes, I know. I don’t have to. I love it already.”

“Oh,” she sighed. “Don’t weep,” he warned her. “It’s not even that big of a stone.”

“Don’t worry. You’ve survived worse.” “Yes. I suppose I have.” He smiled that slow, one-sided smile she’d come to adore.

She could scarcely speak. “That was quite nicely said.” “You think so?” “Did you practice it on the way here?” His chin pulled back in a gesture of offense. “No.” “I wouldn’t think less of you for it.”

No one moved. “Yes, I know,” he said impatiently, turning the scarred side of his face to the room. “Faulty rocket at Waterloo. You have precisely three seconds to move past it. One. Two. Right. Now where is my wife?”

Ash looked at the majordomo. The majordomo stared and stuttered. After a few moments of waiting, Ash rolled his eyes. He spread his hands for the crowd and announced himself. “His Grace, the Duke of Ashbury.”

“That’s another thing.” Ash pointed at Trevor as he hastened in backward steps toward the hackney. “You’re going to be a gentleman. Don’t curse like a common lout. If you must blaspheme, do so in educated fashion.” He opened the hack’s door and climbed in. “Take your oaths from Shakespeare.”