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Your Grace.” Willa fought to keep from rolling her eyes at the way her mother fawned all over the duke. No doubt he was accustomed to toadyish behavior from females, especially marriage-minded mommas like hers.
    Cam leaned forward. “What business did you have there?”
    “I traded mostly in sugar.”
    “Will you continue that endeavor, now that you have returned permanently to England?” Cam asked.
    “Indeed. My man of business is seeing about purchasing an adequate building to house my clerks and business concerns here in Town.”
    “How did your trade affect the locals?” Willa knew from her reading that many Englishmen made their fortune in India at the expense of native workers. “Was it successful for them as well?”
    “Willa!” Mother gasped, shooting her a daggered look. “Your Grace, my daughter means no offense to be sure.”
    “Not to worry. I’m certain I comprehend your daughter’s true intentions perfectly,” he said easily. “To demonstrate that I hold no ill feelings, perhaps Lady Wilhelmina would favor me with a carriage ride through Hyde Park.” His smooth smile almost dared her to refuse. “If she is disposed, of course.”
    Willa stiffened. She would decline all right. She wanted nothing further to do with men—especially one who seemed to enjoy mocking her. “That is most kind of you, Your Grace. But truly, we have had much family excitement here today and I am disposed to take an afternoon nap.” Mother would think her still emotional over Addie’s news and playing on her softhearted nature would give Willa a chance to bow out of an afternoon ride with Hartwell.
    “Actually, I was hoping you could join me on the morrow, provided the marchioness approves.”
    “Of course!” Her mother jumped in before Willa could respond. “I would be most pleased. We both would.”
    “Willa adores riding in the park,” Addie piped in, wide-eyed.
    Willa suppressed the urge to massage her temples. She lacked the energy to continue playing whatever game the duke had in mind. At least if she agreed to accompany him, he might depart posthaste. And an afternoon ride with His Grace promised to be passably more tolerable than another encounter with Augustus. Race would no doubt call upon his betrothed soon. And his brother might well accompany him.
    “Why ever not.” She feigned indifference. “Unless Camryn has an objection?” She cast a hopeful look in her cousin’s direction.
    Cam grinned. “Not at all, dearest cousin.”
    “Excellent,” said Hartwell. “I shall look forward to it.”

Chapter Four
    “May I be frank?” Willa said the following day as she and the duke rode in his impressive phaeton, a high-perched, black lacquer conveyance.
    “Do you have any other manner of speaking?” Hartwell kept his eyes on the road ahead. “Or do you save that particular privilege solely for me?”
    “In all seriousness, why are you doing this?”
    “Taking you for a carriage ride?”
    “Seeking me out to amuse yourself.”
    “Perhaps I mean to court you.” He fired off a slow confident smile that made her heart skid. Bold and forceful, it was devastating in its allure. There was something almost animalistic in those decisive rows of long teeth.
    She forced herself to remember a duke would never court someone with her past—especially one as appealing as the man sitting next to her. Unless, of course, he’d yet to hear of the scandal. “Why, pray tell, would you engage with someone such as me?”
    “Someone such as you?” His dark brows furrowed. “Granted, one risks frostbite from that icy tongue of yours, but I daresay I can withstand the cold.”
    “And you do have all of that hot air to keep you warm,” she said sweetly.
    He barked a laugh. “That, along with the certain knowledge that summer invariably follows winter. I look forward with great anticipation to the hot and sultry season.”
    “I am obviously on the shelf,” she said firmly. “Meanwhile, there are ambitious