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 leave, and since Sara had not returned she was sure she was probably busy inside. But she didn't appreciate him showing up the way he did and asking her to leave. It wasn't what they'd agreed on and she didn't want him to think she would cater to his every whim, regardless of time or place. So she drew back, her heart pounding. 


Cedric’s fingers wrapped lightly around her arm. Clearly he didn't like that she was hesitating. He was a man used to giving orders, and having people do them without questioning, and even with what they agreed, he seemed to be having a hard time getting used to the fact that she wasn’t one of those people. 


“We're married, Anna,” he went on brusquely when she didn't do as he asked. “Leaving with me is perfectly acceptable.” 


“Being married doesn't make everything acceptable,” she countered heatedly. “Especially not with a marriage like ours,” 


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