The Duchess Deal (Girl Meets Duke, #1)

by Tessa Dare

“What do I call you now? Not Your Grace, surely.” “Ashbury. Or Duke, if you must be more familiar.” Heavens. Being addressed as Duke counted as familiar? “I’m your wife. Surely that means I’ve earned the privilege of calling you something more friendly. What did they call you when you were younger, before you inherited? You weren’t Ashbury then.” “I was addressed by my courtesy title.” “Which was . . . ?” “The Marquess of Richmond. A title which will become my heir’s. Soon, with any luck. You may as well save it for him.” She supposed he was right. “What about your family name?” “Pembrooke? Never used it.” Emma wasn’t inclined to use it, either. Too stuffy, and it didn’t precisely trip off the tongue. “Your Christian name, then.” “George. It was my father’s name, and his father’s name before that, and the name of every third gentleman in England, it would seem.” “It’s my father’s name, too.” She shuddered. “So that’s out. We’ll have to find something else.” “There is nothing else. There’s Ashbury, or Duke. Choose one.” Emma thought on it for a moment. “No, dear husband, I don’t believe I shall.” He dropped his fork and glowered at her. She smiled. He doesn’t trust anyone, Khan had said. But he respects those who challenge him. If respect was what the duke had to offer, respect was what she must earn. Emma could put up a challenge. She hoped her husband was up to the task of meeting it. She reached for a nearby bowl. “Would you like more sauce, sweeting?” His fingers strang...