Leo was shaken. What had just happened? He had kissed Lady Clara in the most inappropriate fashion. Not that kissing her in any fashion would've been proper, but he'd caressed her derrière. A very nice derrière, he thought with some satisfaction. He shook his head.

He never lost control like that. He had kissed her yesterday to prove his point. Why had he kissed her today?

Those freckles and those damned eyes.

He had to get this marriage business over with soon. He had his ward and not to mention his patients waiting for him back in Montrose.

He headed for the Smith's, his family's private jeweller. He was sure that the right ring and some romantic gesture would do the trick. Clara was a sensible woman and surely she must've realised that their marriage was inevitable now that she'd been compromised.

Clara was pacing her father's study, flexing her fingers. A frown on her face, her lips pursed.

"Will you stop, Clara? You're making me dizzy." Her father was seated on his favourite arm chair, Adonis sleeping on his lap.

"What am I to do, Papa? You know I didn't kiss the Duke deliberately, don't you? Why do I have to marry him just because he kissed me? It doesn't make sense."

"My dear girl, I know what a wonderful person you are. And I trust you. You don't have to marry the Duke just because he compromised you, Clara."

"Really?" Clara asked, unable to decide if she was pleased with her father's answer or not.

"Really. But I still strongly endorse this match."

Clara sat down with a huff.

"Why, Papa?"

"He's a wonderful man, Clara. All these years, I never asked you to marry. I always thought that no man was good enough for you. The Duke proved me wrong."

"How can you judge him so fast, papa?"

"Do you know what we spoke about in here today for almost an hour?"

"The marriage settlements, how much my dowry is etcetera etcetera," she said dismissively.

The Earl shook his head.

"He had come to formally ask for my permission to marry you. He explained to me how you were in no way responsible for what happened at the ball. It was something I already knew, but by admitting it, he showed his true character and how much respect he has for you. And if this wasn't enough to garner my approval, he flatly refused any dowry I offered. What more could a father ask for, Clara?"

Clara was speechless.

"I don't expect you to marry the Duke just because he compromised you. I expect you to marry him because they don't make men like him anymore."

"Doesn't the fact that he ruined my reputation make a difference to you?" Clara asked, a little puzzled.

"Of course it did. I was very angry last night and I had no intention of letting the Duke anywhere near you, let alone marry you. But I pride myself on being a progressive and reasonable man and I couldn't ignore everything coming from his mouth today. It changed my perspective of him."

Clara just nodded.

"You have to marry that man and so it's ultimately your decision. There's no pressure, take your time. I'm happy as long as you are."

The Earl stood up, a very sleepy Adonis climbed up on Clara's lap, not at all pleased on being disturbed. Her father patted her back and left the study, leaving Clara deep in thought.

Till now, Clara had thought that she had no choice but to marry the Duke and that had made her rebel. Now that her father had taken that away and had given her the freedom to make her choice, she didn't really have the heart to object.

She idly stroked Adonis's fur, he sighed happily. She fell asleep too.

Two days later.

Leo called on the Fethuerington household. Unlike the last time he called, the butler let him in immediately.

He was taken to a sitting room where he'd met the ladies the other day and everything was a little too feminine for his tastes, but who was he to say anything?

He was just about to enter when he saw a morbidly obese pug growling at him.

Huh.

"Come back here, Adonis. Let the Duke enter," he heard Lady Clara's stern voice.

Adonis?

He could picture the Greek god weeping at this atrocity.

'Adonis' immediately moved away and allowed him to enter. And he finally got to see his betrothed. She looked so fresh and beautiful, it seemed like her lemony scent filled the entire room.

She smiled at him and he thought her smile could make flowers grow. They greeted each other. He thought he heard her inhale when he kissed her hand.

He was surprised, but pleased to find that they were alone and the Lord or Lady Fethuerington weren't present there to ruin their private moments.

She asked him to sit. He chose the biggest armchair that also happened to be next to the divan she was primly seated on. The butler served them tea and biscuits.

He was troubled by how arousing he found it when Lady Clara poured tea. Her dainty hands delicately holding the cup.

"I'm sorry about Adonis. He's a little wary of strangers. But he's very friendly after his momentary anxiety," she suddenly said.

Leo could see that. Adonis was peacefully sleeping by his feet now. What a terrible watch dog he'd make.

"Don't you think his name is a bit inappropriate?"

"Um...well I agree that he's on the chubbier side, but he has his charms," she said, sheepishly.

Chubbier side? That was a gross understatement, but he just nodded. And smiled, just a bit. He couldn't help it.

"So how is your writing coming along?"

She seemed surprised by his question.

"It's alright," she said shortly.

And then, "Lady Clara, there's something I've been meaning to ask you." She seemed alarmed.

Ah, he was enjoying this.

"What is it, your grace?"

"There's no need to be so formal, we're going to be married very soon."

"I'm not open to such informalities," she frowned. Leo raised a brow at that, but let it pass.

"Well, so we are marrying, aren't we?"

"That's your proposal?" She asked, dazed.

"Not exactly. But at this point we hardly need those things, don't you think?"

She didn't look at his face and didn't bother saying anything. This was not how he wanted to start their relationship.

"I got you an engagement ring. Would you like to see it?"

He pulled out the box and took out the ring. She didn't react but her eyes were fixed on the ring he held between his fingers.

Clara looked at the ring the Duke was holding. Her engagement ring. It was so beautiful, she could hardly believe it.

It had this princess cut diamond in the middle set in gold with two tiny hearts on either of its sides. He pulled her hand from her lap and held it delicately. Then he slid the ring onto her finger.

He wore no gloves. She looked at his strong fingers and imagined them doing all sorts of things to her, things she'd never thought about before. Those tanned, long fingers caressing her, tracing the planes of her body...

Clara looked up to find the Duke staring into her eyes. She desperately tried to fight the blush rising in her cheeks but it didn't work.

His expression changed and his eyes seemed half closed. For a moment she thought he'd kiss her, but he sat back.

"I hope you like your ring," he said, composed.

"Yes, it's lovely," she said, truly touched by the gesture.

"Say you'll marry me," he said in an almost pleading tone.

"I'll marry you," she finally said, like the man had actually given her a choice. Ha.

But he smiled and looked truly happy. Why? Oh yes, because now he had a mother for his ward.

And then, "there's something else I'd like to talk to you about."

She moved her head as if to say "go on."

"We'll have to marry within a week's time. I already have the special license."

Clara almost spit out her tea.

"A week?" She squeaked.

"I know it's less, but I have a ward waiting back in Montrose. She just lost her father and she needs me. No, she needs us. I hope you understand."

Clara nodded, she did feel sorry for the girl. The poor thing was all alone.

She tried to keep herself from laughing as she imagined her mother's reaction to this. A week? Her mother was going to have a seizure when she heard this.

"Alright then, I shall take my leave."

The Duke took his leave and left Clara to break the news of their marriage to her parents.