Roderick stared into Lucianna’s face, expecting all color to drain as panic set in…instead, a coy grin had settled on her, and her shoulders straightened as she scooted to the edge of the bed and stood.

The pristine white nightshift billowed around her legs, covering her naked calves and teasing her bare feet.

The tilt of her chin and narrowed stare had Roderick thinking she was almost happy to face her father’s rage. Brushing her long hair over her shoulder, she slowly walked across the room toward her father.

When Roderick sensed his desire had subsided enough, he moved from her bed and trailed in her wake until he stood directly behind her. He set his hands on both of her shoulders.

“Lord Camd—“

She held up her hand, cutting off his words.

He watched Camden’s face redden, and his nostrils flare in anger, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. The man had every right to be furious, but not with Lucianna. If retribution were owed, it would be claimed from Roderick.

Roderick had been in the wrong. He’d known his course when he entered Lucianna’s bedchambers, though he never would have acknowledged it before.

“Father.” Her tone was laced with steel and conviction, as still and confident as the set of her shoulders. “You are too late. I am ruined. Solidly, unequivocally tarnished.”

Her chin only lifted farther when Camden narrowed his stare on her. “You have been trouble since the day your mother gave birth to you. I always imagined you doing something foolish to scandalize this family.”

Camden shook his head, feigning sympathy for Lucianna.

Roderick wanted to curse the man, tell him his daughter had lost nothing being caught in his embrace. If anything, she’d gained the world.

His world and everything he possessed.

Which wasn’t much, but his love was worth more than riches.

“You will leave this house immediately. You have brought disgrace upon your mother, your siblings, and me.” Camden pivoted and started toward the door, halting before he crossed the threshold. “And, Montrose, you can see your way out the same way you got in.”

Without another word, the marquis stepped into the hall and shouted for the family butler.

A shiver ran down Lucianna’s spine, and Roderick stilled himself from wrapping her in his arms, dispelling the chill that had settled along her arms.

Lucianna turned toward him, her shoulders stooping and tears threatening to fall.

Remorse weakened him for his part in her ruination.

“McMahon!” the marquis shouted as hurried footsteps sounded down the hall outside Lucianna’s bedchambers. “See that my daughter leaves this house at once. She is to take nothing but a jacket to hide her damaged person.”

“Yes, my lord.” Reluctance was clear in the servant’s voice.

“I will fix this, Lucianna. I swear to it.” He stared down at her as she brushed away her unshed tears.

“There is nothing to fix.” She shook her head, leaning into him. “This is what I wanted, exactly what I’d hoped for.”

“But, your father…” Roderick sputtered, attempting to understand what she meant about it being exactly what she’d hoped for. “You’ve been cast out by your father…with nothing.”

“I will stay with either Edith’s or Ophelia’s family. Do not fret,” she said flatly.

“And what of your things?”

“They are just that, things.” She turned a lopsided smile up to him, her cheek never leaving his chest. “But the one thing I will never have to deal with is Abercorn. He would never take a ruined woman to wife. No matter how large her dowry.”

The woman, his woman, was a smart one.

Roderick had dwelled on all Lucianna was losing…and not on what she’d gain from a tarnished reputation.

“But how will he know of your ruination?” he asked.

“You do not know my father very well, do you?” Her brow rose. “He does not take kindly to parting with his money. If he shuns me publicly, he will remain in possession of my dowry.”

“And not have to put up with your hellion ways.”

“Correct, Your Grace.” She pulled away from him and placed a kiss on his cheek. “You are certainly catching on.”

“Yes, it is a positive thing that I am no dullard…and I happen to adore your hellion ways.”

“Do you?” she asked with a deep, throaty laugh.

“Oh, yes.” He pulled her against his chest. “I do believe your misfortune is to be my grand blessing.”

“Did he call her a blessing?” A hiss sounded behind him.

“No, I think he called her depressing,” Lord Torrington’s unmistakable tone could be heard from the open veranda door.

“Why would he call her depressing?” Lady Edith chimed in. “I do believe he is instructing her in her undressing.”

A round of female giggles echoed as the group all but fell into Lucianna’s chambers.

“Tell us, Montrose,” Torrington called, pulling Edith to his side. “Is Lady Lucianna a blessing, depressing, or in need of undressing?”

“You all have magnificent timing.” Roderick leaned down and placed a kiss to Lucianna’s forehead, which gained a sigh from Lady Prudence and Lady Chastity, while Lady Ophelia looked ready to faint on the spot. “I was actually professing my adoration and love for Lady Lucianna and hoping our night would end with her acquiescing and accepting my marriage proposal.”

“Marriage?” Lucianna squeaked. “But we just thwarted my father’s plans to hand me over to Abercorn…there is no need for you to continue your charade and our sham of a betrothal. I will not be responsible for you taking on a dismal future and a bride you never wanted.”

“That is wonderful news; however, I have never been one for charades, nor one for ‘taking on a dismal future and a bride.’ I’ve longed to have you since that early morning at Bentley’s. That did not change after our meeting in the gardens at Lady Edith’s betrothal ball.”

The women sighed again, but Lucianna flinched back with a frown.

“Lady Lucianna, I love you. I am in love with you.” Roderick released her and brought his hands to cradle her face. “I do not care if you come to me with little more than your nightshift. I will live every day showering you with all the possessions your heart desires.”

Her bottom lip trembled, and Roderick’s breath hitched, thinking she’d turn away from him. He was no more than a poverty-stricken duke, while she’d been raised by one of the wealthiest men in all of England.

“My heart desires only you, Roderick.”

He pulled her close, fearing she’d never be near enough to satisfy him, and doubting he’d ever be able to let her out of his sight.

“Say you will marry me, Lucianna,” he pleaded. He needed to hear her say it in front of all these witnesses. It would make everything real.

“Roderick, seventh Duke of Montrose, I, Lady Lucianna Constantine, love you,” she declared loudly. “I will wed you and be a fierce duchess, the likes of which London has never seen before.”

A cheer went up behind him as he crushed Lucianna to him, no longer caring who witnessed their display of affection for one another.

All of London best prepare; the Duke and Duchess of Montrose were sure to leave a trail of fainting matrons and fawning men in their wakes.