Fit for a Duke: Dangerous Dukes Read online

  ‘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 [email protected]

  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

  Follow me on twitter @wendyswriter or on Facebook: Wendy Soliman - Author

  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

  Eleanor Bingley’s Rebellious Nature / Rosie Turner’s Contrary Nature / Susie Darcy’s Tenacious Nature

  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

  Compromising the Marquess

  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