If looks could scorch, Will was pretty sure he’d be in a grave right about then.
Chapter Two
“Adrive throughHyde Park?” Harriet used the most sarcastic tone she could muster. “The priest is here!”
“My lady?”
“Thank you, Beth. Please give me a moment,” Harriet directed at the door.
“As you wish.”
She turned back to the rotten man before her.
“Harriet,” the traitorous beast began, having the good sense to look sheepish. Had he maintained his stoic manner, she would have clubbed him over the head. “You weren’t supposed to find out like this. Your father said he’d inform you. I believed you already knew.”
“As you have very well discovered, I did not. And I did not give you leave to call me by my name.”
He let out a heavy sigh and dragged a hand through his hair while regarding her as though he didn’t quite know how to manage her.
Good.She’d rattled his pristine composure.
Did he believe she would just accept this? Believe that merely noticing her at balls was enough for him to know he wanted to marry her? It was just more proof he did not know her at all. Because if he did, he wouldn’t have used this backhanded approach to secure her hand in marriage. She felt like a cornered animal with no way out.
Harriet pushed that suffocating discomfort aside. She might have been born helpless, but she did not grow into a helpless woman.
“And this,” she held up the envelope. “Is this the special license my father told me about?”
He didn’t deny it. “Yes.”
“What happens if I tear it up?”
“I shall have another within an hour.” He paused. “Or so.”
“Your contacts are so lofty?”
“I am that determined.”
Her grip on the document tightened. “I truly have no choice then.”
“Lady Harriet,” he said softly, advancing a cautious step before lowering onto one knee so that he did not tower above her anymore. It still did not diminish his presence. “I know this is not what you want, and God knows you deserve to be lavished with gifts and poetry. But I will do my utmost do make you happy.”
Leather. Rosewood. A hint of something unfathomably male. Lord, if supreme manliness had aneau de cologne, this man would be the king of fragrance.
Smoky. Earthy.
And to go along with his all-consuming arrogance, a touch of deceit. Another reminder of the man’s character.
Herperfect man would never act like the man before her. At the very least, her perfect love match wouldcarefor her feelings. Because he wouldloveher.
Leeds... She didn’t know what Leeds wanted from her, nor did he betray any of his thoughts. The man could have been a statue for all the emotion he painted on his face.
Tears threatened to burn her eyes, and she clenched her jaw while she willed them away. Anger, disappointment, the threat of not being able to keep her promise to her mother, she didn’tknow what she was feeling as she stared into that unfathomable, dark gaze that held no sentiments whatsoever.
By Jove.
She would not stand for this!
Her gaze dropped to the broad expanse of his chest. If she kicked him right in the center, would he even budge? If he hadn’t resembled a crouching tiger who looked ready to pounce, she might have tested her leg strength.
