Leslie Lafoy (32 page)

“So what you sent was Harry’s idea of suitable bribes,” she observed, wondering why she hadn’t considered that possibility the very second Carrie had thrown open the parlor doors.

“I seem to recall that there was one thing I found myself.”

“That would be the little box with the only note you
attempted
to write yourself?”

He cocked a brow. “I gather I didn’t do all that well with it.”

“No, you didn’t.”

He considered her for a second and then reached inside his coat. “Well, my head’s firmly back on my shoulders now,” he said, handing her a long, flat, black leather case.

“Ian,” she said on a sigh, staring down at it.

“Go ahead,” he pressed, seemingly oblivious to her turmoil. “Open it.”

Her heart aching, she shook her head. “Didn’t you read my note?”

“What note?”

“The one I sent with all the gifts I returned this afternoon.”

He shrugged. “I didn’t know that you’d sent a note. I didn’t even look for one.”

Oh, God. “Then let me summarize it, Ian,” she said gently, hoping she could get through saying it without the tears she’d shed during the writing. “I don’t want jewels or candy or flowers or perfumes from you. I don’t want
things
. I didn’t call off our engagement because the ring wasn’t beautiful enough or because—”

He pressed a fingertip to her lips. “Open it, Fiona,” he whispered, his eyes sparkling. “Please.”

She didn’t want to hurt him, didn’t want to make an ugly scene, and so she ignored the little voice of reason and lifted the hinged lid. Fiona blinked, stunned, and then stared in disbelief.

Ian lifted the device from the white satin lining, saying, “Every medical student has to have her own stethoscope.”

“They won’t let me into a medical school,” she pointed out, her heart hammering wildly as she closed the case and blindly placed it on the table beside the bird feeder. “They say that the female mind isn’t suited to the profession.”

“I don’t care what they say. I’ll soon have my own teaching hospital. I can let in any student I think is capable of being an excellent doctor.”

He thought she … She gazed at him in wonder as the warmth of absolute certainty filled every corner of her soul.

“Here,” he said, putting the earpieces in place and fitting the amplifier between her trembling fingers.

“Ian?”

“Sssh.” Lifting her hand, he pressed the device to the center of his chest and held it there.

She closed her eyes and listened to the steady thrum of the most wonderful, most caring heart in all the world.

“Do you hear the murmur, Fiona?”

“No.”

“It’s there,” he said softly. “In every beat. I love … you. I love … you. Marry … me. Fion … a.”

She looked up at him and grinned, her joy too boundless to be put into words. But he knew anyway; she could see her happiness reflected in his own smile, in the delight dancing in the depths of his eyes.

Ian eased his hand away from hers, then reached up to gently remove the earpieces. “Say yes,” he murmured, wrapping his arms around her and drawing her close.

“Yes, my love,” she whispered as she tipped her head back to offer him her lips. “Forever and always, Ian, yes.”

S
T
. M
ARTIN’S
P
APERBACKS
T
ITLES
BY
L
ESLIE
L
A
F
OY

The Rogue’s Bride

Her Scandalous Marriage

The Perfect Desire

The Perfect Temptation

The Perfect Seduction

P
RAISE FOR
Leslie LaFoy’s
D
ELICIOUS
H
ISTORICAL
R
OMANCES

“The lures of LaFoy’s writing are not just great characters, fantastic storytelling, and heightened sexual tension, but also the subtle ways she plays on your emotions so that you are completely invested in the book. No reader … can ignore the deep and intense emotions that emanate from the pages of this masterful romance.”

—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
(4½ stars, Top Pick)

Her Scandalous Marriage

“A delectable confection filled with engaging characters, sparkling dialogue, and sizzling love scenes … sensual.”

—
Romantic Times BOOKreviews

The Perfect Desire

“So exciting I could not put it down.”

—Fallen Angel Reviews

“Leslie LaFoy wraps up her Perfect trilogy in winning style.”

—
likesbooks.com

“As always, LaFoy’s absorbing plots and multifaceted characters and their sexual chemistry will please fans of romantic historicals.”

—Booklist

“Grand mistress of adventure LaFoy delivers a fast-paced read with a luscious love story.”

—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
(4½ stars, Top Pick)

The Perfect Seduction

“
The Perfect Seduction
is incredibly delectable and satisfying!”

—Celeste Bradley, author of
Seducing the Spy

“Romance, emotion, marvelous characters—no one does it better than Leslie LaFoy!”

—Maggie Osborne, award-winning author of
Shotgun Wedding

“
The Perfect Seduction
is a perfect blend of heart and soul and wit.”

—Mary McBride, author of
My Hero

“I was seduced by the first page.”

—Marianne Willman, author of
Mistress of Rossmor

“LaFoy’s remarkable characters utterly seduce the reader.”

—Booklist

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

THE DUKE’S PROPOSAL

Copyright © 2007 by Leslie LaFoy.

Cover photo © Shirley Green

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

ISBN: 0-312-34772-3

EAN: 978-0-312-34772-7

St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / May 2007

St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

eISBN 9781466829695

First eBook edition: September 2012