The Duke was standing in the middle of the room, his hands in his pockets, his head tilted to one side. It was a relaxed, casual pose, and yet the way he looked at her was anything but casual. The deep midnight of his eyes burned and he radiated a subtle, sensual energy that made the air around him crackle. 

He looked like a man who’d never heard the word ‘no’ in all his life. Unluckily for him, ‘no’ was the only word she had.

“There's no reason why I should stay,” Anna clasped her shaking hands together in an effort to still them. “I’m not marrying you.”

His gaze flickered, his mouth curving slightly, and she had the disturbing thought that far from putting him off, her insistence was only inciting him further.
“But you haven’t heard my proposal yet,” he said mildly. “Isn’t that why you’re here?”

“I don’t need to hear it. I already know that my answer will be no.”

“Of course. But you can hardly tell your father that you heard me out when you haven’t, in fact, heard me out…. Anna.” 



A LADY FOR A DUKE

Anna wanted to deny it. She wanted to give the impression that all was well. Isn't that what a newly, happily married woman would do? A woman lucky enough to be married to the Duke of Springbrook should be overjoyed. What could she possibly have to be worried about? It wasn't like she could tell Collins anything even if she wanted to, so Anna shook her head and managed another smile she was sure didn't reach her eyes. 


“I'm fine,” she told him, “Just getting used to my new life as a married woman I guess,” 


But Collins obviously knew her too well and he didn't look convinced, “And where is your husband tonight?” he pressed, 


Anna sighed at the mention of Cedric, avoiding Collins' questioning gaze and focusing instead on the glass on the counter. “I already told you that I don't want to talk about him” 


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