She lifted her chin, her posture impeccable, eyes assessing him like a proper peer of the realm.
The Duke blinked at her transformation, then exhaled slowly. His mouth twitched.
“Ye’re a stern one when ye want to be, lass.”
“Thatisthe character,” she said coolly, though a flicker of amusement betrayed her. “Lord Farnleigh doesn’t suffer fools. Impress me.”
The Duke squared his shoulders and inhaled deeply, attempting the upright posture Elizabeth had insisted upon. Then, withan exaggerated flourish, he bowed too deeply and clipped her shoulder on the way up.
“Careful!” Elizabeth exclaimed, though laughter slipped out before she could stop it. “Well, that was certainly dramatic. Sadly, Farnleigh is not fond of theatrics.”
“I thought old Farnleigh might like a bit of flair,” he muttered as he straightened himself, eyes dancing with amusement.
“Think again,” she said, amused despite herself. “The man barely tolerates joy. Let’s try that approach again. Properly, this time. Please.”
The Duke drew a long breath and stepped forward again. This time, he offered a more restrained bow and said, “Lord Farnleigh, pleasure to make yer acquaintance.”
Elizabeth slipped easily into the role, straightening with all the hauteur of a crusty old peer. “So. You’re Scottish.”
“Aye, I am. Last time I checked.”
She added a sneer for effect, lifting her chin and narrowing her eyes. “From Scotland? Mmm. And you’ve come to London to seek favor from us, no doubt. That’s very enterprising. But you must persuade me more, Your Grace. What’s your view on the latest Bank Restriction Act?”
The Duke arched a brow. “It’s pure blether.”
Elizabeth pressed her lips into a flat line. “Try again. Subtle flattery, not flailing. Pretend it’s genuine. You can’t let itfeellike a lie, even when it is.”
“Why should I flatter a man who sees me as foreign scum?” he gritted through his teeth.
“Because sincerity doesn’t win you power,” she said evenly. “Make him feel seen. Superior. If you manage that, he’ll chase your approval. And if it ever gets hard to swallow, remind yourself thatyou’rethe one holding back, not him. You’re playing the long game.”
He looked at her then. “I see. Ye want me to lie sweetly, bonnie Elizabeth.”
There was something different in his tone now. Not mockery, but understanding, perhaps. Or determination. She hoped it was both.
“Yes. The same way I let men think I’m a meek little thing who just wants to be chosen,” she said softly, her voice catching in her throat.
He shifted again. This time, his stance was smooth, confident. The bow he offered was precise and polished, but the glint of self-possession in his eyes was unmistakably his.
“Lord Farnleigh,” he began, squaring his shoulders and adopting a more measured tone, his usual brogue softened just enoughto mimic a proper London cadence, “I’ve heard tell of yer keen insight on the new fiscal policy and have admired it for some time. To better grasp yer stance, I read yer essays inThe Gentleman’s Review. Yer thoughts on the scarcity of bullion were right enlightenin’, and they helped me sort out me investment choices.”
Elizabeth let out a quiet gasp.
“You see, Icanread, ye ken, Lady Elizabeth,” he added, smirking with obvious satisfaction.
“That was… not half bad at all,” she said, folding her arms and raising a brow.
She was genuinely impressed, though she’d be damned if she let it show too much.
“Of course it wasn’t,” he replied, mock arrogance coating every word. “I can be a bonnie liar when I’m properly motivated.”
So can I, Elizabeth thought, but she also wondered how often he’d employed that skill, and what else he might have lied about.
“Well, do trynotto look like a fox that’s just eaten the chicken, Your Grace,” she advised. “We can’t have you looking smug while praising Lord Farnleigh’s essays.”
The Duke exhaled dramatically and closed his eyes as if steeling himself. Then, he repeated the entire monologue with a straighter face, his voice a touch more clipped, more composed.
At the end, he added smoothly, “I do hope to share the wisdom I’ve gained with me own affairs at Redmoor as well.”