Read Online The Scandalous Duke Takes a Bride by Tiffany Clare - Free Book Online

own.”
    She didn’t glance back at him again, just continued without him. He caught up to her before long, noticing the glances they were receiving from others strolling through the park.
    “Explain to me why you think you are leaving sooner than the allotted year.”
    “Your devotion means the world to me. It also means you keep me out of trouble,” she said with a sly wink.
    His voice was low as he said, “I’m sorry. I’m the last person in the world who would judge you.”
    She looked at him sidelong, her gaze disbelieving. “A bald lie coming from you. You’re always the first to criticize something you deem inappropriate.”
    “Only when it’s to protect your reputation,” he said, tucking her arm against his side again.
    Her laugh was throaty and had a few more heads turning in their direction. “You’re an ass, Hayden. And it’s too late to protect me from the scathing views society holds over me.”
    Though her words were harsh, they both knew there was some truth in them.
    “All the more reason for us to sojourn in the countryside.” That had been his first suggestion with the announcement of Fallon’s death. She had refused. Now Hayden wanted her alone and to himself, somewhere he could watch her without having to worry about the trouble she’d find.
    “Again with this?” she said.
    “Yes, and I’ll not let it rest until you are in complete agreement with me on the matter.”
    “That would feel too much like running away with a tail tucked between my legs. I’ll face the ton head-on and show them that their hatred for me simply doesn’t affect me.”
    He didn’t point out that she was the one lying now; they both knew that she did care about the ton ’s opinions. Perhaps it was time to face facts: Only Jessica could help herself in this instance. And now that her husband was dead and his fortune no longer accessible to her, she would have to take better care to stop the wagging of gossips’ tongues.
    But Hayden’s name could protect her.
    That had the wheels turning in his head. Of course, it was so simple a solution.
    “So what will you do now that you are free from the bonds of marriage?” he asked.
    “I imagine everyone thinks I’ll remarry.”
    He fell behind a step, the news hitting him like an unblocked punch to the face. What was she saying? Was she open to the idea? “Will you?”
    She didn’t answer him for a few moments, and he nearly asked her to clarify what she meant, until she said, “I’ve had nothing but time to think about my circumstance over the past few weeks. Remarrying would probably be for the best. Though I’m not sure I can allow any man to rule my life as Fallon did.”
    Was she honestly considering marriage? Was that why she wasn’t batting a lash at Warren for taking residence sooner than what was agreed upon?
    “Not all men are cut from the same cloth.” Least of all him.
    She rested her head on his shoulder; the action was brief enough to draw speculative looks, but she righted herself with a sigh, ignoring the censure in every direction.
    “There aren’t a lot of options left open to me. And it doesn’t appear that I’ll be able to sway Warren to my favor.”
    Hayden couldn’t believe they were discussing this at all. He could barely process the idea of Jez agreeing to remarry. If anyone was going to marry her …
    It would be him.
    He rubbed his hand over his face. She liked to keep him on his toes. You never knew when Jez was going to say “jump,” “stop,” or “fall.”
    “Then you should marry me.”
    She laughed, obviously not taking him seriously. “Don’t jest with me, Hayden.”
    He could only look at her, perplexed. Of course she wouldn’t take his offer seriously. He’d gone about asking her all wrong.
    Her chin lifted and a mischievous look lit her eyes. “Being out with you, I realize we should really make a night of it like we used to.”
    “I didn’t want to press the matter, but I couldn’t agree more.