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“Then I must beg your pardon.”

He did not look particularly repentant, and Marina suspected he knew it.

She moved away from him, determined to recover some measure of composure. It was difficult enough to think clearly with a duke standing in her cottage proposing marriage, but his nearness had made matters considerably worse. He was much too tall, much too broad, and altogether too accustomed to getting his own way.

She stopped beside the hearth and looked up, only to discover a sprig of mistletoe hanging from the beam above them.

Oh, bother.

She had placed it there herself that morning, thinking it would lend the room a little Christmas cheer. Now she wished she had chosen a different decoration.

The duke followed her glance.

“Ah,” he murmured.

Marina felt warmth creep into her cheeks.

“Is something amusing you, Your Grace?”

“I was merely wondering whether that blush is another indication that you are frightened of me.”

“I am not frightened of you.”

“Then perhaps you are expecting a kiss.”

Her breath caught.

For once, no suitable reply came to mind. She opened her mouth, closed it again, and silently cursed herself for being so easily disconcerted. The duke’s eyes lingered upon her face, and she had the dreadful suspicion that he knew exactly what he was doing.

“I assure you,” she managed at last, “that I expect nothing of the sort.”

“How disappointing.”

Marina looked away before he could see how thoroughly he had unsettled her.

She had not been kissed beneath the mistletoe in years. Indeed, she had scarcely considered the possibility of a gentleman wishing to kiss her at all. And now this impossible man had appeared without warning and was speaking as though such a thing were the most natural prospect in the world.

Fortunately, he made no attempt to kiss her. Instead, he stepped back, giving her room to breathe.

“I shall expect your answer in three days, Lady Whitmore.”

She turned sharply. “My answer?”

“To my proposal.”

“You cannot seriously imagine that I shall decide such a matter simply because you have commanded it.”

“I have commanded nothing. I am allowing you three days to consider the advantages.”

“How very generous of you.”

“I thought so.”

Marina folded her arms, resisting the urge to smile at his outrageous confidence.

“I shall send a carriage for you once the sun has set,” he continued. “You may visit Griffin Manor and see for yourself what I am offering.”

“And you assume I shall enter this carriage?”