‘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
About the Author
Hi, I do hope you enjoyed Fit for a Duke. If so, please take a moment to leave a review on Amazon. I’d love to hear what you thought of this particular novel – what you enjoyed most about it and what you didn’t like. Constructive criticism is always welcome.
Reach me at wendysoliman@rocketmail.com
I’m a British author, brought up on the Isle of Wight and share my life with a handsome rescued Spanish Podenco called Markos.
I’ve had over one hundred books published, ranging from Regency romance, (my first love), to contemporary women’s fiction and marine crime mysteries.
When not writing I walk miles, make half-hearted attempts to retain flexibility by attending yoga classes, read other people’s tomes…oh, and I’m on a one woman mission to keep the wine trade profitable!
Check out all of my books, and learn more about me from my website: http:www.wendysoliman.com
Or on my Amazon author page author.to/wendys
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Also available from this Author
Historical Romance
Stand Alone Regencies
Lady Hartley’s Inheritance
Duty’s Destiny
A Reason to Rebel
Forgotten Heiress
For Want of a Reputation
Christmas at Castleray
Ava’s Passion
Disinherited
Divided Loyalties
A Scandalous Proposition
The Perfect Impostor
Sacrificial Bride
Dangerous Dukes Series
To Defy a Duke
The Duke’s Legacy
A Duke by Default
Of Dukes and Deceptions
Game of Dukes
Dukes and Indiscretions
Never Dare a Duke
To Desire a Duke
A Duke in Turmoil
Fit for a Duke
Regency Ladies Series
Lady Mysterious
Lady Impetuous
Lady Audacious
Mrs. Darcy Entertains Series Boxset
Miss Bingley’s Revenge / Colonel Fitzwilliam’s Dilemma / Miss Darcy’s Passion / Kitty Bennet’s Despair / Lydia Wickham’s Journal
Pemberley – The Next Generation Series Vols 1 – 3 Boxset
Emma Bingley’s Romantic Nature / Naomi Sanford’s Compassionate Nature / Bella Darcy’s Impetuous Nature
Pemberley – The Next Generation Series Vols 4 – 6 Boxset
Simon Bingley’s Resolve
Ducal Encounters Series 1
At the Duke’s Discretion
With the Duke’s Approval
Portrait of a Duke
For the Duke’s Pleasure
In the Duke’s Estimation
Captivating the Duke
Ducal Encounters Series 2
Reunited with the Duke
Christmas with the Duke
Representing the Duke
Safeguarding the Duke
Acting for the Duke
Emulating the Duke
Ducal Encounters Series 3
Conspiring with the Duke
Dedicated to the Duke
Impugning the Duke’s Honour
By Order of the Duke
Supporting the Duke
Protecting the Duke’s Inter
ests
Ducal Encounters Series 4
As the Duke’s Agent
Masquerading with the Duke
On the Duke’s Authority
Beyond the Duke’s Domain
Loyal to the Duke
Carlton House Cartel
Chance
Amara
The Forsters
Beguiling the Barrister
Finessing the Contessa
Romancing the Runaway
Victorian Vigilante Series Boxset
Saving Grace / Heirs and Graces / With Good Grace / Fall From Grace / Social Graces / Elegance and Grace
Riley Rochester Investigates Series
Death of a Debutante
Death of a Courtesan
Death of a Prosecutor
Death of a Scoundrel
Death of an Artist
Death of a Recluse
Death of a Matriarch
Death of a Footman
Death of a Milliner
Death of a Scribe
Perceptions Series
A Sense of Belonging
A Sense of Purpose
A Sense of Misgiving
A Sense of Injustice
A Sense of Turmoil
A Sense of Destiny
A Sense of Fate
A Sense of Paradise
Contemporary Titles
The Hunter Files Boxset: Unfinished Business /
Risky Business/ Lethal Business