Page 16 of Sincerely, the Duke
His whole body seemed to twitch and his eyes flickered at her choice of words. Perhaps she had been too hasty in her comeback, but no matter, their standoff seemed to be set on solid ground and his show of determination was welcomed.
“I am rational, Miss Fine,” he said more calmly. “The usual kind of man. Simple.”
“Simple?” She couldn’t help but smile at such an outrageous description of himself, and of all things, she found it immensely charming. And for reasons she couldn’t possibly imagine it made her want to hug him and laugh with him. “I have not had many dealings with men other than my father, but you are not simple. You are obviously not used to being thoroughly questioned and don’t know how to handle it when you are.”
He gave her a slight smile, and she couldn’t have enjoyed it more if he’d placed his fingertips under her chin and tickled her.
“True,” he admitted without pretense. “Nevertheless, if your sisters are not here, I can’t help them. If they stay in York, they will have to choose from the men who are there.”
“Unfortunately, only two or three of them are suitable and none they are willing to consider.”
She and the duke were at an impasse. Neither of them willing to budge. But what could she do? The truth was she hadn’t pushed her sisters to come to London where everyone would see they looked uncommonly alike, even for sisters. There were slight differences they were able to make. Eileen parted her hair down the middle and had a smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose. They assumed it was because she would sometimes forget to wear her bonnet when she went out into the garden.Eleonora had tendrils of fringe covering her forehead on both sides, and Edwina swept the crown of her hair back and away from her face. And they were careful to never dress in similar colors.
However, there was always the possibility someone might remember the time when her father said it was rumored a lady had three babes at one birth. Edwina hoped that that wouldn’t happen and make them a spectacle in Society before they had a chance to make their way. She intended to follow her father’s wishes and see them all married and living normal lives. Her father assured her he’d not read of triplets being born and all three living. Certainly not living to adulthood, and there would be little possibility anyone would believe it anyway. Despite that, the peculiarity and phenomenon of it was a difficult burden for Edwina to bear.
Perhaps no one would ever have to know about the strangeness of their birth if only fate had given one of them blond hair, or maybe brown eyes, or even a mole on the cheek, but no. Not one of them had a distinguishing birthmark to set them apart other than Eileen’s freckles, and they were not prominent.
Rick expelled a gusty breath. “Since they are so adamant, I see no way to get them here other than for you to tell your sisters you are ill and need them to come be with you.”
There was no command in his voice. There didn’t have to be. His intent showed in every word and the way his eyes took in every detail of her face. Edwina straightened her already stiff frame.
“What kind of person do you take me for, Your Grace?” she said in an exasperated voice. “I can’t lie to my sisters.”
“No.” He moved his shoulders and stance uncomfortably, as if he knew he had stepped over the line of propriety with his suggestion. “I didn’t mean for you to make it a lie exactly,” he added on more of a conciliatory note. “A fib.”
“That is the same thing,” she argued, thinking maybe she did need more water after all.
“A little one that only shades the truth and pulls on sisterly instincts to rush to your aid. Surely you could use their help with something?”
As impossible as it seemed, he looked at her as if he thought his suggestion was reasonable and had merit. And for a moment, his expression was so endearing and sincere she almost believed it was too. She was furious with herself for even thinking it. Where was her backbone when she needed it?
Thank goodness her sanity returned. “Even though you have given me a headache that has lasted since the day your letter arrived at my door, I won’t send for my sisters to come help me when I don’t need it.”
“Fine,” he muttered in a frustrated tone, running his hand through hair he had already tousled twice before. The movement left the thickness of it invitingly attractive.
“It’s Miss Fine,” she corrected with a slight lift of her chin and twitch of a smile on her lips.
“Yes, it is.”
He leaned in closer to her and for some reason she had the feeling he sought to bend his head and nuzzle her neck.
“But it won’t befinewith you if I can’tfindhusbands for your sisters.” His voice was grainy as his gaze stayed straight on hers. “That is your demand for accepting my proposal, is it not?”
Her heartbeat raced again. She nodded.
Suddenly, the duke started nodding his head. Irritation disappeared from his brow and from around his mouth and lips. Calmness prevailed in him. Her stomach fluttered. Edwina swallowed back the possibility she had gone too far when his response was to continue to stare silently at her, seeming to weigh his options. He thumbed his bottom lip as if in deep thought once again and completely unperturbed by her.
It was unlike her to be so forceful. He was a duke. She should be dancing with glee at the thought of marrying someone so powerful. And not just that, though it was enough, at times she just wanted to stop talking, look at him, and enjoy the wonderful sensations that flashed through her when he softened and stood close to her.
In a low voice, he all but whispered, “You are strong and clever, Miss Fine. Traits I admire, but I will not be bested by you.”
His implication was clear, but what was he aiming to do?
“If you won’t agree to manipulate the truth only a little in order to get your sisters to London for theirowngood and yours, then I will have to do it for you.”
Excitement shot through her as quickly as lightning flashed on a hot, stormy night. He stood close, overwhelming, and yet she had no fear of his dominating presence. It was more like anticipation.
Edwina’s breath caught in her throat, but she managed to whisper, “I don’t know what could possibly be stirring around in that masculine mind of yours, Your Grace, but I will not allow you to fib to them any more than I would.”
