"I dare you," she whispered, her eyes flashing. "A wager. One game of piquet tonight. If I win, the fair proceeds in the Hollow. If you win... I shall stop petitioning you for the land entirely."
"My father was a man of sentimental whims, Lady Delilah," Arthur replied, his voice a low, gravelly baritone that vibrated in her chest. "I am not. The Hollow is private property, and I will not have half the village trampling the flora for the sake of cheap ale and ribbons." Lady Delilah Dares a Duke by Sofie Darling
Delilah breathed a sigh of relief, but as she stood to leave, Arthur caught her wrist. "I dare you," she whispered, her eyes flashing
The following is an original story inspired by the title and style of Sofie Darling's Regency romances, focusing on the tension between a spirited lady and a formidable duke. If I win, the fair proceeds in the Hollow
Arthur looked at the card, then at her. He held a King in his hand—the winning card—but he paused. For the first time, Delilah saw a flicker of something human in his gaze—a longing that went far beyond land disputes.
Delilah took a step closer, ignoring the scandalous proximity. "You are a dull man, Arthur. A marble statue in a cravat. I bet you haven’t felt a moment of genuine excitement since the Regency began." One of Arthur’s dark eyebrows arched. "Is that so?"