Page 25 of The Duke’s Lessons in Temptation

“Cora, I want you to be my wife. If today isn’t the right time to ask, please allow me to woo you in London. Let me show you how worthy I am of you.”

It was a fair request. She nodded, and Christopher held his arm out to her. Cora shook her head. “I think I will stay out here for a bit.”

“Don’t give up on me. I’m up to the challenge of wooing you. We are the best of friends.”

“Yes, we are, but is that enough?”

Christopher looked taken aback by her question. Still, he didn’t argue with her but said, “Thank you for the chance to continue my suit.”

He didn’t say anything else but left the terrace, returning to the drawing room. She stared back out at the gardens, wondering if she’d just made a horrible choice.

The door clicked open again, and her mother beamed at her. “Shall I congratulate you?”

“He didn’t ask.”

Her mother gasped. “He intended to. What happened?”

“I asked Christopher not to.”

She looped her arm through Cora’s and tugged her toward Jeremy’s study. Cora forced herself not to groan out loud. Her mother walked quickly, and Cora allowed her to pull her along. Once they reached the study door, her mother didn’t bother to knock but thrust it open. Jeremy glanced up from his work. “What is it?”

Her mother shut the door and planted her hands on her hips. “Your sister asked Christoper not to ask for her hand.”

Her brother leaned back in his chair, studying her intently. She stood there silently, refusing to justify her actions. Finally, Jeremy said, “It is probably good she did. We don’t want Bellamy thinking that he can behave the way he did this week. I want him to understand he should woo her properly. A lazy suitor won’t make a good husband.”

Her mother, shockingly, nodded in agreement. “I didn’t think of that. I do agree that I expected Christopher to show you more attention than he has.”

“Maybe we have changed too much or aren’t as compatible as we once thought,” Cora pointed out.

Her mother's eyes widened. “You have always wanted to wed him.”

“Well, perhaps I’m realizing what I wanted as a young girl is not exactly what I want now.”

Her mother pursed her lips. Jeremy said, “Mother, please let me speak with Cora privately.”

She left in a huff, her skirts swirling around her. Jeremy chuckled as the door shut. “I thought I would be the one to upset her. Thank you.”

Cora rolled her eyes. “I’m glad to be of assistance.”’

“Why are you hesitant about Bellamy?”

“I’m worried we won’t love each other as we should.”

Jeremy nodded. “Mother wants us to wed, but it is hard to settle when she and Father loved one another so much. Don’t rush into anything.”

She bit her bottom lip. “Maybe I’m confused.”

“Only you can know that, but don’t settle. The Duke of Blythe, of all people, gave me that wisdom.”

His name startled her. She couldn’t tell Jeremy that he’d been trying to give her the same advice as well. Cora forced a smile. “Helpful wisdom.”

Jeremy rose. “Maybe Bellamy will be different in London. You will have to decide that. Now, let’s go join our guests. We only have another day or two. Some are already leaving, including Blythe and Lady Bennett.”

She did her best to keep her face impassive, but the revelation caused her heart to ache. What had she expected? Damion was a rake after all. Her brother escorted her from the room, and Cora forced herself not to think about the man who’d thrown her life and dreams into chaos.

***

Damion sat at his favorite gentlemen’s club, Dante’s, drinking a brandy. He’d played whist earlier but found himself unfocused. He knew why. His mind flashed to the last moment he saw Cora. She’d been smiling at Bellamy as he laughed. He took a larger drink as pain flared across his chest.