Theo tried to process everything Violette had revealed. It wasn’t that her words were complicated but, unlike so many ladies he’d met, he’d known there was more to Violette than met the eye.

Her commitment to her family was incredibly admirable, but perhaps not as awe-inspiring as the fact that she’d taken the helm of an earldom.

“Ryker.” He looked up to his brother-in-law. “Are we not in need of grain?”

Ryker’s eyes lit with understanding. “Indeed we are.”

Theo turned back to the woman he’d been admiring. How had he not realized that spark of something more in her eyes was intelligence? “I am sure we can agree upon a fair price.”

Relief made her shoulders slump and she gave him a glowing smile. “Thank you.”

“When we complete the transaction, we can help your brother invest that money.”

Ryker nodded. “It will take time, but we can build it up again. One success can lead to another.”

Her hand was tucked into his elbow, and he hadn’t realized that he’d covered it with his own. She in turn placed her free hand on top of his. “That would mean the world to me. Me marrying doesn’t teach my brother how to be a success. He needs mentoring.”

Theo didn’t want to think about how right it felt to be so near to her, to have their hands clasped like this. Because another idea was taking shape. He’d promised his sister he’d take on the responsibility of the dukedom. But he didn’t want to give up on his travels entirely. It was what made his blood sing.

What if he married Violette? She was in desperate need of a husband. He’d be helping her. Protecting her. She in turn could help him manage his affairs when he was gone. He couldn’t leave for years at a time, of course, but still. He could check on foreign investments knowing that Violette could help in his absence. It would make him feel better to know that he had a business stake in the arrangement and she wasn’t the only one marrying for convenience.

If any doubts niggled at the edge of his plan, he pushed them aside. It was beneficial to both of them. The answer they both needed.

Horses had been readied for them and Theo easily helped Violette climb into her saddle. With his hands about her waist, he had to confess the attraction was a side benefit to the possible marriage.

He climbed on his own horse and the four of them set off across a field. Violette was a good horsewoman and as they brought the horses up to a trot, he watched the wind pull at her hair, her smile growing wide on her face. She laughed and turned to him. “Let’s go faster.”

Her enthusiasm caught him off guard, though he quite liked it. She was full of surprises today. As she kicked her horse into a canter, he did the same.

He gave a quick glance back to see Tricia and Ryker quite far behind them. Even better. He pushed ahead of her leading the way into the forest. They jumped fallen trees and slashed through streams as Theo kept an eye on Violette. Though she was less a flower and more a mischievous little wood nymph riding so fast. She made his pulse thrum. Reaching a small glen, he pulled up his horse. She did the same.

“Why are we stopping?” she asked breathlessly, her chest heaving from the effort.

He turned his horse so that they faced one another. Then he reached out and cupped her cheek in his hand. He’d never wanted a woman more than he did in this moment. Not that it was the reason for what he was about to ask her. “I wanted a moment to speak privately.”

“About?” She reached up to place her gloved hand over his.

“Teddy,” Ryker called.

Hells bells that was dreadful timing. He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I need to speak with you tonight.”

“How?” she whispered back.

“Go out on your balcony at one o’clock. We’ll talk there.” He tried to keep his tone light. What he was suggesting was forbidden.

Her eyes widened. “I shouldn’t—”

Without meaning to, he leaned closer so that their lips nearly touched. “No one will be the wiser and I will be on my best behavior.”

She looked at him for several seconds before finally giving a tight jerk of her chin in agreement.

Relief washed over him just as Ryker burst through the trees. It actually pained him to let her go, but as her hand slipped from her cheek he said, “Tonight.”

Violette sat on her bed, watching the clock tick on the mantle. It was five until one and she couldn’t be less tired. Why did Theo want to see her? Surely he didn’t plan on proposing. He wouldn’t need an illicit meeting for that.

Her breath caught on the word illicit. He was a duke who looked like a highwayman, sailed about the Atlantic, and eschewed society. Of course this meeting would not involve any formal offers. His interest in her couldn’t be denied. And the way he’d touched her, nearly kissed her…surely he wanted something from her. Would he ask her to be his mistress? Her hands pressed to her cheeks. No matter how attracted to him she was, she couldn’t do it.

What if he offered to save her family, finance her future?

But to be fallen… She stopped her thoughts. She didn’t even know that’s what he would ask. But what then if not marriage or an affair?

Surely he didn’t need to meet her privately, at one in the morning, to discuss the weather or his travels in Barbados.

The clock chimed one and she almost jumped from her own skin. Standing, she crossed to the double doors that led out onto her balcony. Pulling one of them open, she nearly screamed aloud when Theo appeared in front of her.

He chuckled, low and deep. It rippled along her skin. “Nervous?”

“Yes,” she huffed, sounding breathy and excited. “I’ve never…” What? Met a man in secret?

His eyebrows rose. “You’ve never?”

“Done this,” she answered. Violette still stood in her room while Theo filled the doorway. He reached out his hand, and she slipped her bare fingers into his palm. The feel of his warm skin was exciting and a tingling spread up her arm.

“We’re not doing anything but talking, my little flower.”

He was pulling her forward but she stopped and so did he. “That is precisely what I’ve been wondering. What are we talking about exactly?”

He paused before he answered. “I’ve spent the last day considering who I am and what I want to be. I find that you have me thinking a great deal about my future and what it will entail.”

“I have you thinking? How so?” She leaned closer, afraid he might miss something.

“You’re intelligent, spirited, beautiful, and in need of a husband.” He tugged her just a little closer.

“That is very kind.” She managed to push out through ragged breaths. At least the first three were kind, the last was a fact.

He grinned, his hand coming to her waist. “I’m not being kind. I can learn a great deal from you. I am learning from you.”

What did that mean? “I am very happy that you are on a path of self-knowledge.”

“I’m not after self-knowledge. I want to secure my holdings and my dukedom while still maintaining a certain level of freedom.” His hand slid up her back brushing along her neck. It made it rather difficult to concentrate.

“I wish you the best.” She swallowed. Had he said freedom? Was he trying to tell her privately that he didn’t wish to court her? Tears stung behind her eyes, but she refused to allow them to fall. “I can only assume you’ve decided on the path. I hope you are successful.”

He blinked in surprise. “I thought our paths might be intertwined. You are in need of a husband who can secure your finances. I am in need of someone to help me with my ducal obligations when I am travelling. I’ve made commitments at the very least in Barbados that I must return to.”

Her mouth dropped open. She tried to speak but words failed her. First, her skills at managing books were the last ones she’d expected to help her make a match. And she might have been grateful except for her feelings toward Theo were far from mathematical.

Before she could collect her thoughts—indeed, even shut her mouth—he brought his lips to hers and kissed it closed. Fire coursed through her veins at the touch. Which he repeated and then repeated again. Finally he lifted his head. “We could help each other.”

She caught her breath. Was that really possible? Doubts were forming in her mind but before she could fully grasp them, he took her lips again, slanting them open and touching his tongue to hers.

All reason left her head. She could only feel and she knew without a doubt that she wanted to feel this again.

When he finally pulled back, they were both panting for breath. “Violette,” he rasped. “Say that you’ll consider my offer of marriage?”

“I,” she stuttered. “I don’t know.”

His hand cupped her cheek. “Think of it this way. You fully expected an arranged marriage and that is more or less what you’ll have. We have an added benefit of enjoying…” he gave her a devilish smile, “each other’s company.”

She bit her lip as she looked up into his eyes. “I’ll consider it.”

Violette should have been elated. He was handsome, rich, and a duke. But somehow, from him, she wanted far more than just a bargain.