Page 2 of The Duke's Only Desire

Sophie glanced up at the house’s stone façade as she followed her grandmother inside. A second, deeper chill iced her blood.

“Lady Kelsey.” The butler bowed to Grandmama, then to Sophie. “Miss Winter.” He took their wraps and gloves. “His Grace is awaiting you in his study.”

“Study?” Grandmama repeated, baffled. She’d surely been expecting a formal dinner in the dining room. Tea and refreshments in the drawing room, at the very least.

“Yes, ma’am.” He handed off their garments to a footman. “His Grace conducts all his business in the study.”

Sophie dropped her gaze to the floor.Business. That was all she was. She knew enough about marriage settlements to know they were calledcontractsfor a reason.

“This way, my lady.”

The butler led them through the house. Sophie craned her neck to glimpse into every room they passed. Unlike her uncle’s manor house, which was the only other grand country estate she’d ever seen, this one seemed made completely of stone and marble. Formidable. Like a castle. And most likely just as haunted.

“Ravenscroft Manor has over three hundred rooms, three living floors, a basement, and cellar,” the butler commented, noting her curiosity about the house. A curiosity that earned an admonishing glare from Grandmama to behave.

But that didn’t stop Sophie from gawking at the gigantic fireplace in the dining room that rose all the way to the vaulted timber ceiling three stories above and which was big enough to have fit their carriage inside it. Team and all.

“Sixty-five fireplaces,” the butler added for her benefit.

“Are there gardens?” Sophie asked, only to be immediately shushed by Grandmama.

“Oh yes, miss! We have fifty acres of formal gardens just here by the house alone, and another two hundred cultivated as part of the greater deer park.”

Her grandmother lifted her head imperially. “And one day, my granddaughter will be mistress of it all.”

Sophie cringed when the butler shot her a puzzled glance. Then he fell silent and led them to the last room in the east wing. The duke’s study.

The butler rapped softly on the closed door.

“What is it, Baines?” an irritated voice bellowed.

The butler opened the door and stepped aside to let them pass as he announced, “Lady Kelsey and Miss Winter have arrived, Your Grace.”

From behind a massive desk, a man who could only have been the Duke of Malvern rose slowly to his feet. His gaze dropped critically over her from head to toe. Then, finding her acceptable—for now—he came forward and waited for them to curtsy to him before reaching out a hand in greeting.

“Lady Kelsey, good to see you again.”

“And you, Duke.” Her grandmother released his hand to gesture toward Sophie. “May I introduce you to my granddaughter, Miss Sophie Winter?” Grandmama stepped behind her and held her shoulders as she presented her to the duke, as if afraid she might flee. “Sophie, His Grace, the Duke of Malvern.” A pause—“Your future father-in-law.”

Not knowing what else to do or say, Sophie swallowed hard and sank into a low curtsy. “Your Grace.”

When she straightened, he reached for her chin and turned her head to the left and right as if evaluating a race horse orhound. For a moment, Sophie thought he might just ask to see her teeth.

He narrowed his eyes and muttered, “Younger than I thought.”

“Her courses have started, and they’re strong and regular. She will bear many heirs, I guarantee it.”

Sophie’s cheeks heated in mortification. When she turned her face away, wanting nothing more than to crawl under the nearest chair, the duke had the decency to let go of her chin and step back.

Then his gaze fell to her hips. “She’s frail.”

Sophie fixed her eyes to the floor, unable to raise them to look at either the duke or her grandmother. She knew tonight was about arranging a marriage contract, but she hadn’t expectedthis.

“She is slight,” Grandmama replied, “but healthy and strong for her size.” Grandmama’s grip remained tight on her shoulders, silently reminding her of what she owed to her family. Her marriage could atone for her mother’s disgrace. “Besides, all the fashionable women are slight these days. All the new fashions drape better on thin women.”

Malvern clearly wasn’t swayed byhaute couture. He circled her slowly, and Sophie felt her grandmother’s fingertips cut into her shoulders in warning to keep still.

“She is well-educated, and I’ve hired a new governess to continue her studies. She’s also musically talented.” Grandmama smiled, as if she were discussing the weather…or a mare at auction. “Blue eyes, golden hair…already quite promising in her beauty.”