Page 60 of No Duke of Mine

“Oh?”

“Lord Varley was at the party I just left. He slipped away early to tell his wife about the deed you found for me. His wife and mother-in-law must have started squabbling again. Poor man.”

“I thought you planned to sell it.”

“I probably will sell to Varley in the end, but first, I must discuss the matter with my brothers. It occurred to me they might wish for the house to settle some of the debt.”

“But you could keep it when you marry?”

He could if he wanted to. “Perhaps I could.”

Maggie nodded slowly. She rose, smoothing her skirt down and looked up at him. “Selling is a good idea if you have no further use for it.”

“I thought so, too. We, my brothers and I, each had our own little cottages in the countryside, but we all sold when the truth about my father’s death was discovered.”

“That was a sensible decision at the time.”

Algernon dragged in a slow breath. Even with a short-term lease, before the sale of a town house, he still had insufficient funds to repay his brothers in full. But it was a good start. There would be other smaller opportunities to exploit in the months and years to come. He did not feel pressed down by the same panic he’d initially felt now he would marry Maggie.

“Maggie, I haven’t proposed to Lady Kent.”

“But you will.”

“No, I don’t think so. It was Lady Kent I saw with that young footman on our way to London. Her lover is in her employ. A servant I saw tonight, in her home.”

“Oh,” she whispered. “Oh dear.”

“I require my heirs to be my own offspring, without any doubts in my mind.”

“So you would have to begin your search for an heiress again?”

“No, I won’t,” he promised. “I want you.”

Maggie stepped away from him, her body tense.

He followed her across the room, turned her about, and tilted her chin up. “What do you want from me, Maggie?” he murmured. “Because I think I’d give anything to provide it.”

“What I want is for you to be happy.” She reached up and laid her hand on his chest.

He brought her hand to his lips. He didn’t argue. He just looked at her until her cheeks turned red. “I can survive the loss of a great many things, Maggie. But not a life without you.”

Her bottom lip trembled. “Don’t say such things.”

He kissed her forehead. Gently. Reverently and then looked deep into her eyes. “Tell me this: would you be content living in the shadows of my life? As a secret?”

Her lips parted, but no sound came for a long moment. Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. “Are you asking if I want to be a kept woman?”

“No.” His tone was firm. A mistress was the last thing he wanted. “I am asking what price I must pay for you. For your happiness, your pride, your company. Because I have decided that the cost of marrying for duty or wealth alone is too high for me.”

The silence stretched between them.

Then she stepped closer. “I don’t want to be a secret. I don’t want to be a kept woman.”

“I don’t want you to be either one, but I want you.”

He took her hands in his, the connection simple and searing all at once.

He nodded. “I’ve been afraid to reach for what I want. You. Only you. You were always enough, Maggie. You are much more than I ever deserved and all that I hope for.”

Maggie’s eyes widened and then she stepped back. “I’m going to bed.”

He sighed, disappointed that she didn’t want what he did…yet. Tomorrow, he would begin a proper courtship. Flowers and gifts. He already had the little figure from the toy shop in his room. He would convince her to imagine a much better future with him.

“Good night, Maggie.”

“Will you join me, Algernon?”

He gaped at her in surprise.

When he ruined Maggie tonight, he would have to marry her. And when he married Maggie, he would gain so much…

He would be richer than he’d ever dreamed.

And that, finally, felt like his decision had been made.