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Every Lady Wanted the Duke — But He Chose the Chubby Girl Who Didn’t Even Notice Him

Every Lady Wanted the Duke — But He Chose the Chubby Girl Who Didn’t Even Notice Him

Chapter 7

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Mabel tilted her head. "Paid when?"Lucien counted on his fingers: "Half upon signing. Half when the trustees approve the household."Mabel studied him. "And what is wrong with you?"Lucien looked offended. "Nothing."Mabel leaned back. "Then why do you need to hire a wife?"Lucien folded his arms. "A condition in my grandmother's will."Mabel nodded slowly. "Ah. So something is wrong with your family."Lucien inclined his head. "That is more accurate."Mabel studied him. "Why me?"Lucien looked at her directly. "You are practical."Mabel raised an eyebrow. "There are practical women everywhere."Lucien kept his gaze steady. "You're not impressed by me."Mabel glanced at his boots. "I'm moderately impressed by your boots."Lucien nodded once. "That is precisely why."Mabel leaned back. She needed money for a kitchen of her own: £2,000 would buy a shop, equipment, and enough coal to keep the ovens hot through winter. It would also make her aunt stop saying the word sensible as if it were a prayer.Mabel looked at him. "What are the rules?"Lucien handed her a folded paper. Lucien pointed at the list: "There are three. First, we do not fall in love. Second, we do not interfere in each other's private affairs. Third, we never lie to the trustees."Mabel read the list twice. Mabel looked up. "You have written these in your own hand."Lucien nodded. "Yes."Mabel studied the paper. "Your handwriting looks nervous."Lucien straightened. "My handwriting is not nervous."Mabel pointed at the letters. "It leans away from commitment."Lucien took the paper back. "Do you accept?"Mabel folded her hands. "I will accept if I may add three conditions."Lucien looked at her. "What are they?"Mabel counted them off: "I keep my own room. I may inspect the household accounts. And nobody may put a swan near the dessert."Lucien considered the last condition. "Agreed."Mabel nodded. "Tiny accept."Behind the curtain, Aunt Prunella made a sound like a kettle giving up.Lucien extended his hand; Mabel shook it. The moment lasted perhaps two seconds. Lucien felt the warmth of her palm; he noticed that her fingers were marked with a faint line of flour. Mabel noticed that his hand was warm; she noticed that he had ink on his thumb. Neither of them considered this significant.The trouble began before they reached the carriage. Aunt Prunella insisted on knowing whether the marriage would be real; Mabel explained that legal reality was sufficient. The maid asked whether a temporary Duke's wife was allowed to keep a cat.
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Every Lady Wanted the Duke — But He Chose the Chubby Girl Who Didn’t Even Notice Him

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