Page 13 of The Lion Duke's Proposal
She curtsied mechanically. “Thank you, Your Grace, for acknowledging my courage in living my terrible, pitiful life.”
“I did not mean-”
“I think we both know what you meant. I’ve had enough of being insulted, and I’ll be taking my sister home now. Thank you for your hospitality.”
“You haven’t heard my offer.”
She paused with her hand on the door frame. This was the third time he had mentioned this mysterious proposition. If she left now, she would always wonder what he would’ve said next. Julia knew she could not leave without at least hearing what it was he meant to say. “What offer?”
“I want to help.”
Now it was Julia’s turn to laugh. “Youwant to helpus?My apologies if I find that difficult to believe, Your Grace, after the way you conducted yourself during our previous encounter. Besides, you’ve made it quite clear you despise our father, and you somewhat blame us for being his daughters. So if you’re offering help, the only reason I can think of is that there is something you want me to do for you in return and…” She paused and pierced him with a bold stare. “As I’m sure you can guess, I have nothing to give.”
“But that is untrue, isn’t it, Miss Norish? You certainly do have something to give.” His eyes flicked up and down her form quickly, as if he were hurriedly taking her measure. “I had to assess your character first,” he explained. “I knew nothing of Lord Norish’s daughters except what I’d heard four years ago - that the elder was a bore who kept to herself at parties and was determined to become a spinster. The truth is, Idoneed something from you in return, but I didn’t know if I could trust you to help me. The only way to find out was to push you hard enough and see what would come out of you. Thanks to Miss Burbank, now I also know you’re an honest person and convinced you are not complicit in helping your father escape justice.”
“Believe me, Your Grace, if I knew where Lord Norish was, I’d be heading there myself,” Julia replied. “We, too, are victims of his foolishness.”
“Quite. Which is why I believe you’ll want to take my deal.”
“What’s the offer, then?” Despite herself, Julia was interested.
He held his hands out to the side. “Actually, your initial assumption was not far off. You see, I want to propose that we court.”
“What? Why that is absurd!”
“Hold on. Hear me out first.”
“No one will believe it’s genuine. Why you’re… you’re….”
“A rake? So be it. But you, Miss Norish, are in desperate need of a lifesaver, so this is the very thing we both need. Now will you listen to me?”
Julia paused for a moment, her mind running through all the advantages of this engagement, including the fact that it would redeem her reputation. Not that she cared a farthing about what these people thought, but it would be for Poppy’s sake.
“I am all ears.” She knew her voice remained calm, even though her heart was doing a marathon at the moment.
“We onlypretendto be engaged. Please don’t mistake my intentions; I’ve no wish to actually get married. My plan is to draw your father out of hiding.”
“My father is abroad. He wouldn’t have any idea what’s going on in London.”
“That’s where our opinions differ.” The Duke held up a finger. “I believe Lord Norish is still in England, and I believe that if he heard the news his daughter was to marry the outlandishly wealthy Duke of Pridewell, he would want his cut of the prize, thereby revealing himself to you, with the aim of convincing you to pay off the rest of his debt.”
“What makes you believe my father is still in the country?” Julia narrowed her eyes. “Even his own solicitor has not been able to get hold of him.”
“I’ve friends in high places.” He shrugged again. “Your father’s papers haven’t been recorded anywhere by customs, nor has anyone of his description booked passage on any major passenger ships that have left in the last month. Unless he’s heavily disguisedandusing a fake identity, which I find unlikely, he’s somewhere in England. I intend to find out where.”
“What do you want with him?” Julia asked.
“That’s my business.”
“If I’m to help you catch him, I think it qualifies as my business too,” she argued. “He’s still my father, after all, and I don’t want any physical harm to befall him.”
“I’ve no interest in harming him. He has something of mine, that’s all, and I want it back.”
“Why not simply buy another?” she frowned. “This house is a standing testament to how much obscene wealth you have. What in the world would make you go to this much trouble to recover something from a man like Lord Norish?”
“Some things can’t be replaced,” the Duke said stiffly. “Are you done with your questions now? Are we in agreement?”
“No. You told me that you’ve put me through all these tests so you could decide whether you can trust me. But I am not sure whetheryouare to be trusted.”
