Clark entered the room as quietly as a ghost and without a word deposited a silver tray covered with all the duke’s wants. A slight bow was made, and then he was gone as quickly and quietly as he had arrived.
She studied that artful dance and wondered how many times he’d done it. Likely thousands. He was a master.
The only sign that Chase had spotted him had been the slight inclination of his head in thanks. A rare gesture for an aristocrat to a servant.
Chase positioned the two porcelain coffee cups.
The delicious smell of the brewed beverage filled the air. She was delighted he preferred the bracing bean.
But before she could offer to pour, he picked up the brandy decanter, poured out two large doses into each cup, then filled them with the coffee.
He held a saucer out to her.
She eyed it.
“Take it,” he said. “Or will you make a poor, wounded fellow bring it to you?”
“Ha!” But she took it. Was humor how he got what he desired? Did he disarm everyone thus? She had a feeling he did, lest they be terrified of the power he wielded.
“Drink,” he instructed. “We’ve had a shocking night. Dawn was no better. And I think our negotiations shall need fortification.”
She did as told. Largely because it seemed an incredible indulgence, and it had been a taxing night.
He brought his cup to his lips and sipped. As he placed his cup on his saucer, she couldn’t quite tear her gaze away from his lower lip, which bore a sheen of the coffee and brandy.
“Are you quite all right?” he asked.
“Me? Oh, yes,” she rushed and then quickly swallowed a large gulp of the brandy-laced coffee.
She nearly choked.
“Let us get down to the practicalities of this,” he said, as if he hadn’t noticed her about to drown in her coffee cup. “We should be married as soon as possible. Today, actually. Your father cannot be trusted. Marriage to me will give you protection. And your sister, if she were to need it. I could intervene, for example, if your father tried to marry her off to an old goat.”
“I agree,” she said, the strain of her concern easing. It felt like she could breathe then. And she couldn’t stop the smile that pulled at her lips.
“I’m glad we’re in agreement,” he said amiably. “Perhaps it will predict a certain affability toward our relationship.”
“Perhaps,” she agreed, taking a slower drink.
He frowned. “I say, would you care to sit?”
She eyed the chair opposite him. Did she dare? Indeed, she did. Wordlessly, she strode forward and slid into the masculine piece of furniture. It felt delightful, but then she quickly realized her toes were all but touching his booted feet.
It was…most irregular.
He leaned back in his chair even more, slouching, as if completely comfortable in her presence. It was astonishing. She’d never been with a man who felt so apparently at ease with her.
Most men shifted from foot to foot, looking for the nearest escape. She’d grown accustomed to it. He looked as if he was settling in to be in her presence for the rest of his life. And she supposed, in a way, he was.
She bit down on her lower lip, then forced herself to say, “I must confess something.”
“Oh dear God,” he groaned with mock alarm, “are we to play confessions now? Because if we are, if I begin confessing, we shall be here at least a week.”
“No, no,” she protested quickly, her cheeks firing hot at the idea of him confessing his sins to her. “I have no desire to hear your confession. I’m sure it is most shocking. Far more shocking than any novel or any play or anything that I could possibly ever imagine. And honestly, I don’t wish to have that particular education about you. And—”
“You’re rambling, understandably, but I’m glad to hear it,” he interrupted kindly. “There are some things that should certainly be left in the dark when it comes to a husband and wife.”
“In the words of one wise person,” she said, “one should know as little as possible about their partner before they marry.”