Page 70 of Fit for a Duke

‘I simply pointed out to Lady Walder that her pursuit of me was futile. I might also have mentioned that I was aware of her taking an assumed name and meeting Brennan here in the local tavern.’

‘We still do not know why she did that. But anyway, they are both free agents. Why should it matter?’

‘It matters because Brennan had encouraged her to think he could persuade my mother to give her approval to our marrying—Lady Walder and me, that is. She just admitted as much.’

Clio raised a brow. ‘Good heavens.’

‘It seems that Brennan is actually rather fond of my mother and wanted to somehow prove to me that it was not only her status and fortune that attracted him. He has been pressing her to marry him but she wouldn’t make the commitment without my approval, which she hadn’t found the courage to request, or even to mention to me.’

‘That is because we are all terrified of you.’

Ezra laughed and squeezed her hand. ‘So my mother just told me. Anyway, Lady Walder assured Brennan that she would influence me in his favour if he did the same thing for her by gaining my mother’s backing.’

‘Then she is very stupid, exceedingly desperate or she does not understand your character at all. Perhaps a little of all three. You and I are barely acquainted and yet I am well aware that no one can influence you once you have set your mind upon something.’

‘Of course,’ he said into the ensuing silence, ‘there was another reason why Salford left in such a tearing hurry.’

‘Oh, and what would that be?’

‘I might have left him with the impression that you are already spoken for.’

‘But I am not, and what’s more, I don’t need your assistance to fend off his unwelcome advances.’

‘Sweet Clio,’ he said, tutting and shaking his head. ‘Tell me you don’t feel it too.’

‘Feel what?’ She sent him a soulful look. ‘You do so enjoy talking in riddles and naturally, as a feeble female, I am quite incapable of following your train of thought.’

Ezra picked up her hand and kissed the back of it. ‘I rather hoped that you would consider committing yourself to me for…oh, let’s say the rest of your life.’

Her brows shot upwards. ‘Are you proposing to me, your grace?’

‘Very ineptly, it seems, if there is any doubt about the matter. Many alliances have been made this week. My friend Henry, impulsive fool that he is, assures me that he is about to offer to make an honest woman of your cousin Adele. Beth, who expressed such fear of me, is now happily fending off the advances of a considerable number of gentlemen, and Salford and Lady Walder have accepted that they have risen as far as they are likely to and settled for each other. I feel rather left out, I have to admit—especially as I believe the whole purpose of this rather tiresome affair was for me to select a wife. So yes, sweet Clio, I am proposing to you.’

‘Aren’t you supposed to go down on bended knee? Not that it would do you any good. I am far too young for you, and probably too outspoken, too opinionated, too argumentative, too…too everything really, but I enjoy being too everything and I don’t have the slightest intention of changing my ways.’

‘I did dismiss my feelings for you, which I have harboured since first making your acquaintance, on the grounds of your youth and obvious unsuitability,’ he added whimsically. ‘But your courage, your willingness to disagree with me if you think I am wrong, your quick-wittedness, and more than anything else your willingness to risk your own life in the protection of mine has taught me a lesson in humility. I love you, Clio, rather passionately as it happens,’ he added, slipping from the bench and onto one knee. ‘Please do me the honour of agreeing to become my duchess. If you do you can be sure that I will dedicate the rest of my life to your safety and happiness.’

‘Goodness,’ she said, swallowing twice. ‘I suppose I must say yes since you put it like that. But what of your mother? Will she approve?’

‘I wouldn’t care if she did not, but as it happens I spent the last hour in conversation with her. She had absolutely no idea who Barnes was or what he had done to the pater and Richard.’

‘She must be severely shocked.’

‘She is, but she will recover. She’s made of strong stuff. She told me a lot of things that I think she has already told you. I was never more surprised, but it has broken down barriers between us that I thought were impenetrable. If she really wants Brennan I shall not raise objections, especially if I have your concerns to occupy me. I have a feeling that you will not make a biddable wife, and I do so enjoy a challenge.’

‘Beware of what you wish for, your grace.’ She tugged at his hand until he got up from the ground and resumed his seat beside her. ‘As it happens, I am rather fond of you as well, annoyingly dictatorial though you often are.’

‘I will never apologise for trying to keep you safe, my sweet,’ he replied passionately, cupping her face in his hand.

‘Nor I you,’ she replied, leaning forward to softly cover his lips with her own. ‘And since you can be, if you will excuse me for remarking upon it, a little rash at times, I had best marry you in order to keep you out of mischief.’ She paused. ‘To say nothing of protecting you from the advances of the Lady Walders of this world.’

‘My love!’ he cried, pulling her into his arms and kissing her soundly.

The End