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They continued along the corridor until Mr. Ernest stopped before a pair of dark wooden doors.

Marina glanced down at her gloves, smoothing one finger that required no attention. She had been perfectly composed when she left the cottage. She had remained composed throughout the carriage journey. Yet now, with only a door separating her from the duke, she found herself remembering the way he had looked at her when she refused to give him an answer that night.

He had seemed surprised that she would dare make him wait.

More troublingly, he had seemed pleased.

“Mr. Ernest,” she said before he could knock, “may I ask you something?”

“Certainly, my lady.”

“Does His Grace always conduct his affairs in such an extraordinary manner?”

The butler considered the question with the gravity it apparently deserved.

“His Grace is accustomed to making decisions with considerable certainty.”

“So I discovered.”

“Though I believe,” Mr. Ernest added, “that your acquaintance has already given him cause to reconsider a few of his expectations.”

Marina stared at him.

The butler’s expression remained perfectly innocent. He pointed her to a chair. “If you wouldn’t mind waiting here, I shall let His Grace know you are here.”

When the doors closed behind the man, she knew this was truly it. She was alone in the Duke of Griffin’s manor. Marina glanced around, wondering how to properly wait, and her gaze landed upon the nearest portrait instead.

She would distract herself. If the duke intended to keep a lady waiting, then she would at least find something interesting to occupy her mind.

She moved toward the first painting, studying the landscape that hung above her. Then another. And another. Each displayed the talent of artists long since dead. She stopped before a shining iron knight standing beside the wall.

The figure was magnificent, its armor gleaming. Its sword, however, was crooked. Marina frowned. It was only slightly out of place, barely noticeable. But she had noticed it, and she stared at the sword with far more curiosity than a guest who ought to mind her own business.

“Oh, this is dreadful,” she murmured.

She reached toward the handle, ready to straighten the sword.. No sooner had she stretched out her fingers than another hand appeared above hers.

Marina didn’t hesitate. A scream burst from her before she could stop it. Startled, she stumbled backward and almost loot her footing, only for the same strong hand to leave the sword and catch her firmly around the waist before she could fall.

Her breath vanished.

The heat of his hand seeped through the fabric of her gown, his fingers pressing against the curve of her waist with effortless strength. For one suspended moment, Marina could do nothing but stare, her body held in place by a single touch.

The Duke of Griffin stood before her. No hat. No attempt to conceal himself from the world. Only that striking face of his, framed by loose dark hair that fell against his shoulders, and those impossible green eyes fixed upon her. Something about him looked different tonight. Rawer. Or perhaps she was simply too close to him to think properly.

Silence settled in the tiny space between them. Marina found herself painfully aware of the way her own chest rose and fell far too quickly.

His gaze held hers as he set her upright, as though he was in no rush to let go. He released her, the absence of his hand creating a strange hollow. Unfortunately, her cheeks betrayed her, turning a rosy shade. She hid her face at once, clearing her throat with what she hoped was dignity.

“Must you always sneak up upon people?” she finally demanded.

She glanced back, and to her dismay, he appeared perfectly relaxed. His eyes lowered briefly to her flushed cheeks, and she noticed his mouth twitch. Marina wished, with sudden desperation, that the floor would open and swallow her.

“I did not sneak up on you,” he replied calmly. “I walked into the room, and you were simply too distracted to notice me. Again. You seem to make it rather a habit.”

Marina opened her mouth, then closed it. She could not argue with that.

The duke watched her for another moment before speaking.