Inside the drawing room, Delaney had finally reached the absolute end of her patience. She had entertained a reasonable amount of men out of pure courtesy, but her head was beginning to ache from all their loud, greedy talking.

Delaney placed her empty teacup down on the table with a firm click.

"Aunt Renee," Delaney announced, letting out a heavy breath. "I am completely exhausted. I would like to return to my room and rest."

Renee nodded in total agreement. "You have done more than enough today, my dear. You were perfectly polite to all of them."

Delaney rang the small silver bell on the table. Mr. Benry opened the doors immediately and stepped inside.

"Mr. Benry," Delaney instructed, her voice tired but firm. "Please tell the remaining gentlemen in the hallway that the visiting hours are officially over. See all of them out of the house. I am receiving no more callers today." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"With great pleasure, my lady," Mr. Benry bowed.

The butler stepped back out into the hallway.

"Gentlemen!" he announced loudly. "Lady Kingsley is fatigued. She will receive no further callers today. Please collect your hats and exit through the front doors."

A collective groan of deep disappointment echoed through the hallway. The men slowly shuffled out of the house, complaining quietly to themselves.

As Mr. Benry saw them out and closed the double doors of the drawing room, Delaney let out a massive sigh of relief. She slumped back against the soft cushions of the sofa, letting her perfect posture relax completely.

"Thank heavens that is over," Delaney whispered, closing her hazel eyes.

Suddenly, a single, firm knock came on the drawing room door.

Delaney kept her eyes closed. Aunt Renee sat up straight, ready to defend her niece.

"She is indisposed!" Aunt Renee called out loudly, thinking it was just another stubborn suitor trying to force his way inside.

The brass door handle turned slowly. The door opened.

A deep, smooth, incredibly familiar voice came as the door opened.

"Even for me?" Rowan asked.

Delaney’s hazel eyes snapped open instantly.

All of her heavy exhaustion vanished in a single second. Her face completely lightened. A bright, genuine, glowing smile spread across her lips.

Rowan came into the drawing room. He looked magnificent in his dark blue coat. He carried the bright, beautiful flowers in his hand. His eyes found hers immediately, and his face softened into a look of devotion.

Delaney’s heart leaped wildly. She wanted to stand up immediately. She wanted to run across the carpet, throw her arms completely around his neck, and hug him as tightly as she possibly could. She wanted to kiss him.

But she quickly remembered where she was. She was a Lady, and her Aunt Renee was sitting right beside her acting as a proper chaperone. Society rules completely forbade unmarried couples from embracing.

Delaney gripped the yellow silk fabric of her dress to keep herself firmly seated on the sofa. She stayed in her place, but she smiled so widely her cheeks began to ache.

Rowan walked smoothly into the center of the room. He stopped before them and offered a very deep, elegant bow.

"Good morning, Lady Kingsley. Madame Dufort," Rowan greeted them perfectly.

Aunt Renee smiled warmly. She thoroughly approved of the handsome, polite Duke.

"Good morning, Your Grace. It is lovely to see you again."

Rowan stepped closer to Delaney. He held out the large bouquet of bright yellow tulips and soft pink roses.

"For you, my lady," Rowan offered smoothly. "To brighten your beautiful home."

Delaney reached out and took the flowers. Her fingers brushed against his warm gloves for a brief second. A spark of electricity shot up her arm.

"Thank you, Your Grace," Delaney replied softly. She lifted the flowers to her nose and breathed in their sweet, fresh scent. "They are absolutely beautiful."

Rowan sat down in the chair directly across from her. It was the same chair the greedy men had just used, but Rowan made the space look entirely different. He looked like he belonged there.

"May I pour you some tea, Your Grace?" Aunt Renee offered politely.

"Yes, thank you," Rowan nodded.

As Renee poured the warm tea, Delaney looked at Rowan closely.

"I was expecting you a bit earlier, Your Grace," Delaney asked playfully, tilting her head slightly. "Why were you late? Did you get lost on the country roads?"

Rowan accepted his teacup from Aunt Renee. He took a slow sip. He looked at Delaney over the rim of the delicate porcelain cup. His brown eyes twinkled.

"I apologize for my slight delay," Rowan replied smoothly, a charming smile playing on his lips. "I had a small problem on the road."

Delaney raised an eyebrow. "A problem?"

"Yes," Rowan nodded, keeping a straight face. "My carriage wheel caught a deep rut in the dirt road. It took my driver a few extra minutes to fix the leather harness. It was highly inconvenient, but I assure you, nothing could have stopped me from arriving here today."

He did not mention that the real "problem" for him not entering inside the drawing room earlier was his burning jealousy at seeing the line of suitors, or how he had stood in the hallway glaring at them until they left. He kept the conversation perfectly polite for the aunt.

Delaney smiled, pretending to believe his smooth excuse. "I am very glad you arrived safely."

They began their formal calling.

Under the watchful, approving eye of Aunt Renee, they sat and talked for exactly thirty minutes, following the strict rules of a polite morning visit. They talked about the beautiful gardens, the fresh country air, and the new servants.

But their eyes spoke a completely different language. Every time Rowan looked at her, his gaze was filled with deep, burning heat. Every time Delaney smiled, she promised him her entire heart. They flirted softly, using clever words and lingering glances.

When the large grandfather clock in the corner chimed the hour, Rowan knew it was time to end his formal call. A proper gentleman never stayed too long.

Rowan placed his empty teacup down on the table. He stood up from his chair.

"It has been a wonderful visit, Lady Kingsley," Rowan announced, his deep voice filling the quiet room.

Delaney stood up as well, holding her bright flowers. "Thank you for coming, Your Grace."

Rowan looked directly into her hazel eyes.

"I am staying at a nearby inn in the village for the week," Rowan informed her. "I would very much like to see more of the Oakridge grounds. If the weather remains fair, would you do me the great honor of taking a stroll in the gardens with me tomorrow afternoon?"

It was a formal, highly proper invitation.

Delaney’s heart fluttered happily. She offered a small, elegant curtsy.

"I would be delighted, Your Grace," Delaney accepted smoothly.

Rowan bowed deeply one final time. He smiled warmly at Aunt Renee, turned, and walked out of the drawing room.

As the door closed behind him, Delaney looked down at the bright flowers in her hands. She smelled the sweet pink roses again. She blushed a little.

They had successfully begun to court. And she knew, with absolute certainty, that this courtship would lead her to the happiest days of her entire life.