Page 34 of The Duke’s Lessons in Temptation

Cora sat in the carriage with her mother and Jeremy. The ride had been relatively quiet. They weren’t far from Damion’s country estate and had joined a long line of carriages also headed toward the ball.

She and Jeremy hadn’t spoken much since the night Damion showed up at the family townhouse. Gossip had appeared in the newspapers the next day. Still, Cora didn’t regret refusing Damion. She wanted to be certain he cared for her and that his request for marriage wasn't out of obligation.

Unfortunately, it was Jeremy who’d been dealing with the aftermath of the scandal, receiving missives from the paper about the Stanton family's response. Cora supposed she was more fortunate than others. She was a duke’s sister. There was only so much that anyone would dare write or speak aloud in public.

“This is the most awkward ride I’ve had in ages,” her mother groaned.

“I’m sorry, Mother. Jeremy is cross with me.”

“I’m not. I just don’t see why you couldn’t have accepted when he proposed at the townhouse.”

“She wants love,” her mother pointed out.

“And she knows that she loves Blythe in only a week?” her brother questioned, skeptical.

“I do love him. I want him to propose in a way that isn’t tied to a scandal. Is that so wrong? You are the one who declared to Mother that love was the most important thing, and now you act as if I don’t know my own heart.”

She was shocked by her brother’s skepticism. He was the one who shielded her from their mother’s constant pressure to find a suitor during her last three Seasons, always insisting that her match would come when the time was right.

“I have a hard time believing you know that after seven days.”

“I knew I loved your father the first moment I met him,” her mother declared.

Her brother's brows shot up in disbelief, but her mother insisted, “I did. It doesn’t always happen that way. Still, no matter if it is a day, week, or months, eventually the realization will strike that the other person is meant to be yours forever.”

“Exactly.”

“Then why didn’t you say yes?” he asked.

“Maybe it is selfish, but I wanted the proposal to be about our feelings, not duty.”

“You will understand when you fall in love,” her mother assured.

Her brother softened slightly. “I do want you happy.”

“Thank you,” she said, sensing that his mood might start to improve.

The carriage stopped, and their driver opened the door. Crowds of people streamed inside the grand manor house. Cora was stunned at how many people Damion convinced to attend, but she supposed when you were a duke, all clamored at the chance.

They walked into the foyer, and Cora stumbled to a stop. The entrance contained two massive globes on each side. Where had Damion acquired them? Her mother chuckled. “He certainly knows you.”

Cora followed her brother and mother into the ballroom, even more shocked. An enormous tapestry containing a map of North America hung on one wall. It was old and stunning.

“There are maps all along the outside of the room,” her mother said, amazed.

She stepped toward them, overcome with emotion that Damion found all these in a week, and he’d done it for her. Jeremy smirked. “Blythe is impressing me.”

They were all on angled tables for better viewing. She peered down at one, and it was a print of the map she’d told Damion was currently her favorite. It measured distance to various locations from England.

“The theme of the night is ‘The World,’” Damion said from behind them.

She turned. “How did you do this?”

“Several historical clubs have lent me maps to make it happen. I also have some small dishes for when you are hungry, including meat pies and apple tarts.”

Cora’s eyes started to water. This man was trying to show her that he saw and heard her. He’d found all her favorite things and incorporated them into this evening’s event. A waltz began to play, and he held out his arm. “May I have this dance?”

He was claiming her as his even though scandal hung over them. She said, “Yes, I would love that.”