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“Miss Fitzwilliam,” she corrected evenly, seemingly unperturbed that she was creating even more scandal by appearing at the races and approaching him here. “And to ask one more time if perhaps you’d reconsider your stance against marrying me.”

“Never,” he vowed and took another swig of whisky. “And I remember you telling me you’d do anything and then not keeping your promise to never bother me again.”

“I said I’d do anything if you agreed to marry me. So, I will gladly leave you alone and never bother you again but only after you marry me.”

He raised his eyes heavenward. “Miss F… Fortune. Ah, yes, I think this name suits you best. Misfortune. And you shall have to find another victim. Because I am not moved by your plight.”

She curled her hands into fists. “What if we came to an arrangement, Your… Disgrace?”

He let out a chuckle. At least, she was entertaining. “What kind of arrangement?”

“Well…” She frowned. “If we marry, I shall not disturb your lifestyle and shall allow you to continue your debauched ways.”

He let out a snort. “I can continue my debauched ways without you.”

“I can…” She pursed her lips adorably in thought. “I will be a perfect mistress for your estates.”

“My estates do not need a mistress. They take care of themselves.” He flicked an invisible piece of lint off his jacket. “What else can you offer?”

“I shall…” She narrowed her eyes, and her cheeks flooded with color. “You need heirs, don’t you? I shall provide you with as many children as you’d like.”

He raised a brow. He wasn’t interested in extending the Tyrone line. He would be happy if his legacy as a duke died with him. But he was curious how far she was willing to go. So he stepped closer, pressing his advantage. “You will allow me to bed you whenever I like?”

She swallowed. “Whenever you like.”

“Be it day or night, in bed or out of it, inside the house or outside?”

She faltered. “O-outside?”

He nodded. “Mhhmm.” He towered over her.

She lowered her eyes. “W-why would anyone want to do it outside? And h-how does—”

Tyrone chucked her under her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Answer. The. Question.”

She swallowed hard. “I-I shall perform my wifely duties to the best of my ability.”

He smirked, taking a couple of steps back. “Have you no pride?”

“Pride?” Her timidity disappearing, anger took its place. “I cannot afford pride! I would sell it if I could, only there are no takers. But you wouldn’t understand. You were born a duke—”

“I was born a marquess, actually,” he interrupted cavalierly.

“More importantly, you were born a man!” Her face was red now, and her eyes glinted with frustration as she paced in a tiny circle, limping slightly. “How are you to know what it’s like to be a female, looking out for everyone when the estate your little brother inherited barely pays for itself? And I have to run the household with a single maid, a brood of siblings, and an ailing mother. How can you talk about pride when—” She paused, then her eyes rounded in horror.

Tyrone blinked and looked around in search of whom he owed his thanks to for making the woman stop her tirade. Then he followed her gaze as she looked down and pursed his lips, trying very hard not to laugh at the woman’s misfortune.

She calmly took a step back and shook out her foot. “—when all I do is step on horse crap, apparently.”

Tyrone couldn’t hold his laughter any longer, he let out a bark, his hand on his chest. “But you manage to do it with dignity. Well, it was entertaining talking to you, if nothing else.” He waved his hat and approached his horse, ready to be rid of the woman. She was tenacious, obstinate, and absolutely tantalizing.

Tantalizing? Where did that come from? Sure, there was something about her big, brown, doe eyes that called to him. She didn’t cower in fear from him and she cared for her family…

Or perhaps she used her family as leverage to secure herself a titled husband.

Yes, Tyrone was certain that was it. And as intriguing as sparring with her had been, he had more important things to take care of.

Sutton appeared by her side at that moment and finally, things started making sense.