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ThiseBookislicensedforyourpersonalenjoymentonly ThiseBook,oncepurchased,maynotbere-sold Ifyouwouldliketosharethisbookwithanotherperson,please purchaseanadditionalcopyforeachrecipient Ifyou’rereadingthisbookanddidnotpurchaseitorborrowit,oritwasnotpurchasedforyouandgivenasagiftforyour use only,thenplease returnit andpurchase your owncopy If this bookwas purchasedonanunauthorizedplatform,thenit is a piratedand/or unauthorizedcopyand violatorswillbeprosecutedtothefullextentofthelaw.Donotpurchaseoracceptpiratedcopies.Thankyouforrespectingtheauthor’shardwork.Forsubsidiaryrights, contactDragonbladePublishing,Inc
Thank you for your support of a small press. At Dragonblade Publishing, we strive to bring you the highest quality Historical Romance from some of the best authors in the business Without your support, there is no ‘ us ’ , so we sincerely hope you adore these stories and find some new favorite authors along the way
Thank you for your support of a small press. At Dragonblade Publishing, we strive to bring you the highest quality Historical Romance from some of the best authors in the business Without your support, there is no ‘ us ’ , so we sincerely hope you adore these stories and find some new favorite authors along the way
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Additional Dragonblade books by Author Jillian Eaton
LadiesofSeductionSeries
TheDuchessTakesaLover(Book1)
Additional Dragonblade books by Author Jillian Eaton
LadiesofSeductionSeries
TheDuchessTakesaLover(Book1)
Table of Contents
TitlePage
CopyrightPage
Publisher’sNote
AdditionalDragonbladebooksbyAuthorJillianEaton
AbouttheBook
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Epilogue
AbouttheAuthor
Table of Contents
TitlePage
CopyrightPage
Publisher’sNote
AdditionalDragonbladebooksbyAuthorJillianEaton
AbouttheBook
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Epilogue
AbouttheAuthor
Aduchess with nothing to lose
Afteradisastrousweddingnightfollowedbyeighteenmonthsofisolationatherhusband’scountryestate,theDuchessof Southwickhasgrowntiredofbeinglonely.Thereareonlysomanybooksapersoncanread,andMarahasreadmostofthem twice. So she’s made a decision. For the firsttime since her marriage, she’s travelingto Londonfor the Season. And while she’s there, this meek, shy mouse of a wallflower who has never met a shade of beige she didn’t like is going to do the unthinkable
Afteradisastrousweddingnightfollowedbyeighteenmonthsofisolationatherhusband’scountryestate,theDuchessof Southwickhasgrowntiredofbeinglonely.Thereareonlysomanybooksapersoncanread,andMarahasreadmostofthem twice. So she’s made a decision. For the firsttime since her marriage, she’s travelingto Londonfor the Season. And while she’s there, this meek, shy mouse of a wallflower who has never met a shade of beige she didn’t like is going to do the unthinkable
“HAVE YOU HEARD the news?” LadyHarmsworthasked ina hushed tone thatwas notveryhushed atall. Aloud, boisterous womanwhosevoicewasoutsizedonlybyherbosom,shewasincapableofwhispering Orofkeepinganytidbitofgossip,no matterhowsmallorinconsequential,toherself.Asitsohappened,therewasnothingsmall or inconsequentialabouttherumor thatshehadbeenitchingtodivulgeeversincesheandthehard-of-hearing(forobviousreasons)LordHarmsworthhadarrived inLondoninadvanceofthemuch-anticipatedSeason.
“Whatnews?”LadyTopplewasquietandasflat-chestedasapieceofparchment,butshedidlikeagoodpieceoftittletattle Teetering on the verge of spinsterhood at the age of five and twenty with no prospects on the horizon (for obvious reasons),shelivedvicariouslythroughthescandalouslivesofothers...whenshewasn’ttendingtoheralarmingnumberof felines.
“Isthisinregardtothatgovernessrunningawaywiththevicar?Becauseifitis,I’vealreadyheardit.”Standingonadais in the middle of the dress shop with her arms raised above her head as a seamstress circled around her with pins, Lady Farthing theeldestofthetrio snappedherfingersandpointedatbreaststhatbothtimeandsixchildrenhaddraggeddown toanintolerablelevel “Higher,dear Ifthey’renottouchingmychinthenyou’redoingitwrong”
LadyHarmsworthgave a loud, vaguelyinsulted sniff. “Everyone has heard aboutthe governess and the vicar. Butwhat abouttheDuchessofSouthwick?”
“You’ve mixed up your names again,” Lady Farthing said derisively “The only thing interesting about the Duchess of Southwickisthatshemanagedtolandaduke ThatgirlisevenmoreboringthanLadyTopple,ifsuchathingispossible”She paused.“Nooffensemeant,LadyTopple.”
“She’llcertainlyneverberenownedforherfashion,”LadyHarmsworthagreed.“Butmaybe this willgethernoticed.”Her mouthcurledinaconspiratorialsmile.“TheDuchessofSouthwickiscomingtoLondon...andsheplanstotakealover.”
“Will be gargantuan” Lady Harmsworth licked her lips in anticipation “I dare say even larger than when the Earl of Hollinbrookmarriedhisscullerymaidafterherbellybegantoswell Asifweweresupposedtobelievethatshe’dsuddenly takenalikingtochocolate.”
“Higher, ” Lady Farthing instructed the seamstress before she sighed with exasperation and yanked the needle and remainingpinsoutofthepoorgirl’shand.“Here,I’lldoitmyself.”Sherananewpieceofthreadbeforeturningherattention backtoherfriends “Herhusbandwouldneverallowsuchathing TheDukeofSouthwick,madeacuckold?Whenpigstaketo theair,perhaps”
“Bythetimeyoudo,he’llhavealreadymovedontothenext,”LadyFarthingsaidwithatouchofbitternessthatdidnotgo unnoticedbythoseintheroom,allofwhomwereprivytothenot-very-secretfactthatLordFarthinghadamistressofhisown. “Because thatis the privilege ofmen. To do as theyplease, withwhomtheyplease, whenever theyplease it. Buta duchess
us no or ed eus of is dy wn hat of he ty ed an er as ds le of ly nd on to go n. ss shouldknowbetter”
LadyHarmsworthshrugged.“Maybesheassumesthatnoonewillfindout. I’m notgoingtotell anyone.Youknow how I abhorgossip.Suchaficklebusiness,spreadingunsubstantiatedclaimsofwrongdoingbeforethey’veevenoccurred.Youcan ruinsomeone’slifethatway.”
BYNOON, THE newsoftheDuchessofSouthwick’spendingaffairhadtraveledthroughsevennotablehouseholdsandateahouse onBrunswickStreet.Thebrewingscandalwasonthetipofeverytongue,anditwasahorseracetosharethetitillatinggossip withanyonethathadn’theardityet
Tall and black haired, with blue eyes that could slice like a knife and a mouth capable of great cruelty, the Duke of Southwickmerelyliftedabrowwhenwordofhiswife’splannedindiscretiontraveledtothefarcorneroftheclubwherehe wasloungingagainstawall,drinkinhand.
LadyHarmsworthshrugged.“Maybesheassumesthatnoonewillfindout. I’m notgoingtotell anyone.Youknow how I abhorgossip.Suchaficklebusiness,spreadingunsubstantiatedclaimsofwrongdoingbeforethey’veevenoccurred.Youcan ruinsomeone’slifethatway.”
BYNOON, THE newsoftheDuchessofSouthwick’spendingaffairhadtraveledthroughsevennotablehouseholdsandateahouse onBrunswickStreet.Thebrewingscandalwasonthetipofeverytongue,anditwasahorseracetosharethetitillatinggossip withanyonethathadn’theardityet
Tall and black haired, with blue eyes that could slice like a knife and a mouth capable of great cruelty, the Duke of Southwickmerelyliftedabrowwhenwordofhiswife’splannedindiscretiontraveledtothefarcorneroftheclubwherehe wasloungingagainstawall,drinkinhand.
COMPLETELYOBLIVIOUS TO thegossipthatwastakingthe ton bystorm,MarabelleAnneBuxton,DuchessofSouthwick,wasin herrosegardenwithherhandsinthecoolspringsoilwhenhersister,LadyKatherineColborne,cametocall
The siblings, three years apart inage, were as different as night was fromday. Demure and soft-spoken, Mara (as she preferred to be called) enjoyed books, gardening, and composing music while Kitty had always been drawn to more adventurous activities including, but not limited to, horseback riding, tight-rope walking, and sneaking out of her bedroom windowtomeetanymannerofmidnightsuitor
Eventheir appearances were opposite, withMara takingafter their father and Kittytheir mother As a result, Mara had darkauburnhair,solemnbrowneyes,andawillowythinbuildwhileKittywasblonde,blueeyed,andvoluptuous.
“There you are,” Kitty declared as she came skipping across the lawn, the hem of her emerald-green traveling habit draggingonwhatremained ofthe silverymorningfrost. “I’ve beenlookingeverywhere. Iwas halfafraid thatpackofwild dogsthat’sbeenroamingaroundateyoufortheirbreakfast”Shestopped,hernosewrinkling “Whatareyoudoing?”
“Yes, I can see that.” Gloved hands on her round hips, Kitty frowned down at her sister. “But why are you doing it? Where’syourgardener?Forheaven’ssake,Mara.You’reonyourhandsandknees.It’snotseemly.”
“ you’renotafarmer,you’readuchess.Youshouldbesippingteaintheparlor,notdigginginthedirtinthegarden!”A sprigofcoiledyellow bouncedacross Kitty’s cheekas shegaveanagitatedtoss ofher head.“Whydidyoubother tomarry Southwick if you’re just going to act as you always did? In case you haven’t noticed, we needn’t forage for our supper anymore”
“WhatI’dlike,”Kittycutin,“isforyoutoexplainwhyLadyGrahamtold me thatLadyBishoptold her thattheBaroness ofHalifaxoverheardLadyCartwrightandMrs.Shipleysayingthatyouareplanningtohaveanaffair!”
“What?”Herheadspinning shemusthavebeenoutinthesunlongerthanshe’dthought Maraplacedhershearsinthe pailandroseslowlytoherfeet.Shecouldhaveswornshe’dheardhersistersay...butno.No,thatwasn’tpossible.“They said what?”
in he re m ad bit ld nd t? ty ng in ed ’s A ry er as ld ss he ey ss a
litanyof questions that she was incapable of answering Findinga pitcher of freshlysqueezed lemonade inthe parlor, she excusedthemaidandpouredaglassforherself,thenoneforhersister.“Weshouldprobablysit,”shesaid,gesturingatasetof matching blue velvet armchairs. A partially open window admitted a light breeze that cooled her flushed cheeks as she contemplatedthebestwaytoexplainherself...andherdecision.
Adultery, the sheer betraying act of it, was not something that Mara would have ever considered under normal circumstances But there was nothingnormal about beingrushed into a marriage to a manwho intimidated her, enduringa weddingnightthathadterrifiedher,andbeingsubsequentlyabandonedatacastlethathadneverfeltlikehome Fornearlytwoyearsshe’dwaitedhere. She’dgrownlonelyhere.
She’d withered here,likearoselefttoolongonthebranch.Yearning,thoughyearningforwhat,precisely,shecouldn’tsay. Butshe knew inher heart,inthe depths ofher being,thatitwasn’tthis Thatwhatever she was meanttodowithher life,it wasn’t this Shehadnotsurvivedthedeathofhermotherandtheabuseofherfathertosettleforisolationanddesertion For longdaysandevenlongernights.Alone.Forgotten. Forsaken.
Ambrose Pierce Nathaniel Buxton, 6th Duke of Southwick
Amoredomineeringmanshe’dnever met.Whenhehadfirstapproachedher attheGlendaleBall,she’dassumeditwas somesortofjest.Evenacruelprank.Thenhe’daskedhertodance,andwhowasshetorefuseaduke?Swirlingaroundinhis arms,witheverypairofeyesintheroompinnedonher,she’dfeltcuriouslyweightless.Asifherfeetweren’tquitetouching the ground Before she was able tofullycatchher breath,the dance was over andhe was gone Until he materializedather doorstepthenextevening,anenormousbouquetoftulipsinhand,totakehertothetheater Theysathighinaboxwheremore peoplewatchedthemthanthestage,andaftertheplaywasover,hekissedher.
It happened again the next day when he invited her on a carriage ride through Hyde Park. Kitty had come along as chaperoneandhadchatteredawaylikeamagpietheentiretimewhileMarahadstarednervouslyatherlap,hardlydaringto lift her chinand steal a peekat the manacross fromher for fear that if she did it would all turnout to be some elaborate illusion Exceptitwasn’t, and itdidn’t, because he kissed her once more inKensingtonGardens, the memoryofwhichstill made her blushwhenever she summonedit.Finally,he kissedher ontheir weddingday.Rightonthe mouth,for everyone in attendancetosee.Hardlymorethanabrush,really,butoh,how her kneeshadquivered!Inpartfromtheshockofwhatwas happening,butalittlebit...alittlebitbecausebackthen,she’dstillfanciedherselfhalfinlovewithhim.
Arush of chills pressed ghostly fingertips down the length of Mara’s spine. “Nothing,” she whispered, but that wasn’t completelytrue.Love,oratleasttheirfather’sill,twistedversionofit,hadgotthemplenty.
Bruises. Beatings. Brutality. Cowering behind doors and under beds with her hand pressed flush against Kitty’s small mouthsothathersisterwouldn’tscreamoutandrevealtheirhidingplace Bitinghertonguesohardthatitbledandthencrying herselftosleepwiththetasteofblood,wetandmetallic,floodinghermouth Silenttears,sheremindedherself Alwayssilent, orelse he wouldcome.
he of he al a ay. it or as his ng er re as to te ill in as n’t do ve ot n’t all ng nt, ne me
“EvenWilliam?”sheasked,referringtohersister’shusbandofsixmonths Kitty’sfacewentblank,likeapagebeingturnedover.“Ididn’tcomeheretodiscussWilliam.Icameheretofindoutwhy theentire ton isbuzzingwithnewsofyourimpendingdalliance.Youcannotseriously beconsideringtakingalover,Mara.” Shelookedaway.“Wouldthatbesoinconceivable?”
“For me and most of the women of my acquaintance?” Her sister shook her head. “No. But for you? Yes. Don’t you rememberallofthosetimesthatyouscoldedmeforclimbingoutthewindow?You’venevermetarulethatyoudidn’twantto follow,andnowyouwanttohaveanillicitaffair?Whoeverstartedthisrumorhasobviouslynevermetyou”
Tossingthecrystal flower fromonehandtotheother,Kittylaughed.“Don’tbeabsurd.Youwouldn’t.”Thensheglanced overhershoulderatMara’sfaceandhereyeswidened.“Tellmeyouwouldn’t.IfSouthwickfoundout ” “Ididn’ttellanyone.There’snoonehere to tell.”Sherosefromherseatandpouredherselfmorelemonade,moreoutof anxioushabitthananydesiretodrink WhensheofferedtodothesameforKitty,hersistershookherheadagainandfrowned
“Youmusthavetoldsomeone,becauseit’sall thatanyoneistalkingabout It’sonlyamatteroftimebeforeyourhusband findsout.Mara,thisis not howaffairsaredone.You’resupposedtomake some attemptatdiscretion.”
“Ihadplannedtomake all theattempts!Ididn’twantpeopletoknow,leastofallAmbrose.”Themereideaofherhusband beingcognizantofwhatshe was planningfilled her withdread. She could alreadypicture his reaction. Those icyblue eyes rakingacrossherwiththinlyveiledcontempt.Thedisapprovingpulseofhisjaw. “Another disappointment, Marabelle Why am I not surprised?”
“I’m just so lonely, Kitty,” she said despairingly “Trapped here in this large, empty house all on my own I want companionship.Iwanttodiscussmyday.Iwanttofallasleepnexttosomeoneatnight.”Shesqueezedhereyesshutasthetruth wassqueezedfromher.“IwantsomeonetoknowthatIexist.”
“I know thatyouexist, and this house isn’tempty, Mara. It’s filled to the brimwithfurniture, clothes, paintings, jewels! Why, lookat that diamond pendant around your neck It’s enormous,” said Kitty, not botheringto hide her envy “Youhave everythingweeverdareddreamof,andyouwanttoriskitallforwhat?Somenamelessloverwhowillkeepyouentertained forthespanofafewweeksbeforeSouthwickhaseveryboneinhisbodybrokenandyoubanishedtosomecottageinScotland, nevertobeseenorheardfromagain?Don’tbeabsurd.”
“It’s notabsurdityto wantattention, and Ambrose isn’tgoingto care. He hasn’tcared aboutanythingelse I’ve done for morethanayearandahalf,orevenbotheredtoinquireintomywell-beingsinceChristmas.Icouldbedyingordead,forall he knows” Whenbitterness threatened to creep into her tone, she swallowed itdown This was exactlywhyshe wanted to seekoutamalecompanion Sothatshe didn’t becomehard,resentful,anddiscontented Soshedidn’tbecome well,soshe didn’t become like her husband. “You said it yourself. Women in our situations have affairs all the time. It’s practically expected.”
Kitty’s lips twisted ina humorless smile “Youhate fuckingand it’s the onlythingthat Williamand I are anygood at Maybe we should justswitchhusbands. I’m jesting, ” she said whenMara’s mouthdropped open. “Trust me, youwouldn’t wanthim.Althoughthere’s nodenyingthatAmbrosehas acertaindarkappeal.Youknow,ImustadmitthatIwas caughtoff guardwhenyouannouncedyourengagement.Heneverstruckmeasthesortofmanthatyou’deverbeinterestedin.” “Hewasn’t.”Onasigh,Maraletherheadslumpback.“UntilhetoldmeIwaspretty.” And I was foolish enough to believe him
Kitty’s lips twisted ina humorless smile “Youhate fuckingand it’s the onlythingthat Williamand I are anygood at Maybe we should justswitchhusbands. I’m jesting, ” she said whenMara’s mouthdropped open. “Trust me, youwouldn’t wanthim.Althoughthere’s nodenyingthatAmbrosehas acertaindarkappeal.Youknow,ImustadmitthatIwas caughtoff guardwhenyouannouncedyourengagement.Heneverstruckmeasthesortofmanthatyou’deverbeinterestedin.” “Hewasn’t.”Onasigh,Maraletherheadslumpback.“UntilhetoldmeIwaspretty.” And I was foolish enough to believe him
Chapter Two
April 1811
Glendale Manor, London, England
“MARA, PUT DOWN yourbook,”Kittyhissedinherear.“TheDukeofSouthwickiscomingthisway!”
Blinking,Mara useda silkhair ribbontosave her spotbefore deftlyslidingthe bookunder her seat Aballroomwasn’t exactlyanideal placetoread,butwhatelsewasshesupposedtodofor fivelonghourswhileher sister’sdancecardfilled andhersremainedconspicuouslyempty?Well,emptythatisexceptforLordStapleton,butashesmelledvaguelyofmincemeat jamandhadahabitoftrouncingonherinstepwhenevertheyattemptedtoexecutearight-handturn,shedidn’tcounthim.
“Who is coming this way?” she asked, craning her neck around her sister’s skirt The pink gown had been boxy and downrightfrumpywhenshe’dwornitforherdebutlastyear,withclumpsoflaceinallthewrongplacesandbellsleevesthe sizeofovergrowneggplants.ButKitty,skilledwithaneedleandblessedwithaneyefordesign,hadchangedthedressintoan elegant,flowingworkofartthatbarelyresembledthegarmentthathadearnedMaramorethanafewsnickers.
KittyhadofferedtoworkhermagiconMara’sgownfortonight’sfestivities,adaisy-yellowdressthathadoncebelonged totheirAuntSarah(notableforbothherhideoustasteinfashionandloveofcrumpets),butMarahadpolitelydeclined.Yes, the dress was clearly too big and yes, the color was blinding But the cotton fabric was cool and the waistline was comfortable,andwhatdiditmatterwhatshelookedlikeasnoonewasgoingtobotherlookingather?
Whenher sister was around, Mara wasn’tmerelyinher shadow. She was the dustunder the rugbeneaththe sofa inher shadow.Andshedidn’tmind.Notreally.Forshe wanted Kittytofindamatch.Shewantedhersistertoescape,toleavetheir hellishhouse and never have to come back. Butthe onlywayto do thatwas to marry. The onlywayto marrywas to find a husband Theonlywaytofindahusbandwastoattendaball
In the soft light of the chandeliers swinging above their heads, her sister’s countenance was glowing. Her blue eyes sparkled,herblondehairshone,andevenherteethweresqueakyclean Bycomparison,Marafeltpaleandwithdrawn,likea rosethathadbeendeniedthesunlight
Her hair hung lank around her shoulders, her mouth was unconsciously pinched shut for fear of revealing her crooked incisor,andthereweredarksmudgesunderhereyesfromspendingthenightawakeandwatchingtheirbedroomdoor.
“A duke, Mara.” Kitty sucked in a breath. “This could change everything. Oh, he’s getting closer! Don’t stare at him. Goodness!”
TheDukeofSouthwickwas,inasingleword,menacing.Andifshehadtwo? Terrifyingly handsome. Hewastall,withbroadshouldersandaflatabdomenandmuscularthighsencasedinblacktrousers.Asamatteroffact, his entire ensemble was black, fromhis coatto his boots to his cravat. Evenhis hair was blackand swept cleanlyoffhis temple,givingheraclear,unhinderedviewofhisface
Kittystepped infrontofher and dropped into anelaborate curtsythatgave the duke a clear view ofher ample bosom. “Whatanunexpectedpleasureitistomakeyouracquaintance,YourGrace,”shepurredwhilstflutteringherlashes.
“I’m...I’mfine,”shesaidfaintly,whichofcourseshewasn’t,butwhatotheranswerwastheretogive?Kittywasright. Shecouldn’tsnubsomeoneaspowerfulandinfluentialastheDukeofSouthwickbyrefusinghisoffertodance.Nomatterthat hemusthavemistakenherforsomeoneelse Someoneofconsequence Someoneofinterest Someoneofbeauty Hebegantowalkandshefollowed,hernaturalgatehinderedbythesheersizeofhergown Shetrippedtwicebeforehe pivoted to face her, a hint of ire inhis gaze. All around themcouples squared off into positionto prepare for the ever-so popularcontra-dance,andwhenthebandstartedtoplaytheintroduction,signalingthedancewasabouttobegin,Maraandthe dukedidthesame.
“Ifthis is anact,” he said, his mouthhoveringbeside her ear as his hand settled onher waist, “Icommend youonyour originality”
“Anact?” she said, confused bothbyhis statementand where her hand was supposed to go Onhis side, she knew that muchfromherlessons,butwhere?
Before Mara was able to muster a reply, everyone was required to switchpartners, and she found herselffacinganearl whosepragmatictouchfailedtoelicitevensomuchas aprickle.Thenshewas backwiththeDukeofSouthwick,sodarkly attractive,andthistimeshenoticedthatshewasn’ttheonlyoneunwillinglycaptivatedbyhisruthlesscharm
“Whyiseveryonestaring?”sheasked,risingontoher toesinorder topeer over hisshoulder ashespunher inanarcing circlebeforebringingherinclose,hisgriponherwaisttightening.
“No,”shesaid,atadbreathlessly.“I’mnearlysurethatyouhaven’t.Becauseifyouhad,it’sallthatshewouldtalkabout.” Thecornersofhismouthcurledintoashapecaughthalfwaybetweenasmileandasmirk.“Are you goingtotalkaboutour dance,LadyMarabelle?”
“Thatdepends,”shesaidtruthfully “Onwhat?”
“Onwhetherthisisadreamorreallyhappening.”
He chuckled. The sound ofhis laughter was rustyand somewhathoarse, as ifhe didn’tdo itveryoften. And maybe he didn’t.Thedukedidnotstrikeherasamanparticularlygiventoidleamusements.
“I plan to call on you tomorrow at your residence,” he said, and it wasn’t a question or a request, but a statement. A demand.“Wearsomethingotherthanthis,ifyouplease.You’refartooprettytohidebehindamountainoffabric.”
Before Mara was able to muster a reply, everyone was required to switchpartners, and she found herselffacinganearl whosepragmatictouchfailedtoelicitevensomuchas aprickle.Thenshewas backwiththeDukeofSouthwick,sodarkly attractive,andthistimeshenoticedthatshewasn’ttheonlyoneunwillinglycaptivatedbyhisruthlesscharm
“Whyiseveryonestaring?”sheasked,risingontoher toesinorder topeer over hisshoulder ashespunher inanarcing circlebeforebringingherinclose,hisgriponherwaisttightening.
“No,”shesaid,atadbreathlessly.“I’mnearlysurethatyouhaven’t.Becauseifyouhad,it’sallthatshewouldtalkabout.” Thecornersofhismouthcurledintoashapecaughthalfwaybetweenasmileandasmirk.“Are you goingtotalkaboutour dance,LadyMarabelle?”
“Thatdepends,”shesaidtruthfully “Onwhat?”
“Onwhetherthisisadreamorreallyhappening.”
He chuckled. The sound ofhis laughter was rustyand somewhathoarse, as ifhe didn’tdo itveryoften. And maybe he didn’t.Thedukedidnotstrikeherasamanparticularlygiventoidleamusements.
“I plan to call on you tomorrow at your residence,” he said, and it wasn’t a question or a request, but a statement. A demand.“Wearsomethingotherthanthis,ifyouplease.You’refartooprettytohidebehindamountainoffabric.”
There were some, he knew, who assumed he did, assumed thatwas whyhe and Mara had rarelybeenseeninthe same placetogethersincetheirnuptials.Butwhattheydidnotunderstandwasthathatewasanemotionthatrequiredgreatfeeling, notdissimilartolove.AndAmbrosewasamanincapableoffeelingeither.
Under the cloak of darkness, Ambrose and Wags had romped together through the fields and explored the abandoned remnantsofanearbycottagethatthelocalvillagerssworewashaunted Ambrosewouldbringbooksouttothestableandread aloudtoWagsforhours Onoccasion,he’devenlosttrackofthetimeandfallenasleepcurledupbesidehispet
Over the durationofthe summer,Wags became his confidant,his companion,andthe onlyfriendofa little boywhohad none.Untiloneday,whenAmbrosewenttothestallandfoundhisfatherstandingbesidetheopendoorandthegroundskeeper standingbesidehim,ahuntingriflerestingonhisleftshoulder.
“Younever should have found himat all.” Most menwould have beenmoved bythe glisteningof tears intheir young child’seyes Butthedukehadseemedtofeelnothingmorethanamildtwingeofdisgust “Thedog’sbloodisonyourhands, Ambrose Letthis beawarning Follow therules I’vesetforthor suffer theconsequences Now goinsideandgetreadyfor dinner.TheWentworthswillbejoiningusandyou’llbeonyourbestbehavior...orelse.”
Itwasalessonhe’dcarriedwithhimintoadulthood.Ashehadstoodoverhisfather’sgravewithrainlashingathisback andhisweepingmotherholdingontohisarm,hehadn’tbeenoverwhelmedwiththefuryhe’donceexperiencedasahelpless boy
Thered-haired,doe-eyedeldestdaughter ofaviscountwasplainer thanhewouldhaveliked,butshewasquietandshy, and she didn’tbabble incessantlyaboutfashionor the weather. He courted her for less thana month. Theywere married in May,andbyJunetheywerealreadyestranged...justashe’dwanted.
Theonlythingthathadn’tgoneaccordingtohismeticulouslycraftedplanwasthatMara’sbellyremaineddevoidofchild. Butinordertoputababetherehe’dhavetorepeattheirweddingnight,andsince that wasn’tgoingtohappen,he’dpushedoff thematterofhisheirtosomeundeterminedtimeinthefuture
WithanotherSeasonrapidlyapproaching,Ambrosehadbeengivingseriousconsiderationtotravelingabroad Sanswife, ofcourse. Maybe a mistress, althoughhe’d notkeptone ofthose since takinga duchess. Notoutofanysense ofloyaltyor obligationtohisvows;ratherhehadn’tdesiredtheheadache.Amistresswasallwellandgood in bed,butoutofitprevious experiencehadrevealedthattheendlessrequestsforjewels,finery,and(worstofall)attentionweren’tequaltothepleasure gainedfromsuchanarrangement
me ng, gh his re le ed ad ad er to ld ng ds, or as ht, ck ss m nd He an
He had a hand, didn’the? Andwhile itwasn’tcomparable tothe clenchofa tight, wetquim,itwas better thanthe fake tearsofafemaleasshebeggedhimnottoleave.
Reachingfor his paper knife, a sleekpiece ofsilver inscribed withhis initials, Ambrose sliced openthe waxseal and removedthefoldedpieceofpaperwithin It smells like her,washisinitialthought Lilacsinbloom Marahadalwayssmelledlikelilacsinbloom,evenonthenighttheymet Thenhereadtheactualletter,andhissecondthoughtwas the fuck she is. Itstartedbenignlyenough.Pleasant,even.
My Lord Duke,
I do hope that this letter finds you in good spirits and even better health The estate is doing well, and spring crops have been planted with high yields expected. Come summer and autumn, we should have a wonderful harvest season.
In a different vein, I feel compelled to be forthright with you in a matter that I never planned to become public knowledge As you may or may not have heard, I will be traveling to London for the upcoming Season You needn’t worry that I’ll encroach upon your privacy; I have already made arrangements to stay with my sister and her husband, Lord Wycroft, at their townhouse in Mayfair But I must confess, that is not my sole reason for putting ink to parchment.
After much consideration, I have decided to take a lover.
As someone who has undoubtedly enjoyed the company of paramours, both before our marriage and during it, I hope this does not offend or cause you a great deal of shock On the contrary, I should like to believe this will be a relief in that you needn’t concern yourself with enduring my company, something that you have made clear is disagreeable to your constitution.
Naturally, I shall employ every act of discretion at my disposal. It is not my wish to cause you embarrassment or harm.
I should like to thank you in advance for your understanding
“Southwick Castle, Your Grace?” This time, Humphrey didn’t even attempt to disguise his astonishment It was well known,atleastamongthestaff,thatthedukedetestedhisancestralfamilyhome DuringHumphrey’sfive-yeartenure,hewas abletocountononehandthenumberoftimesAmbrosehadvisitedthe500-acrecountryestate.“But...why?”
“Because,” Ambrose began, his voice quiet and all the more dangerous for it, “the duchess and I need to have a conversation.Seetoitthatmybelongingsarepreparedandthecarriageisreadiedwithallhaste.”
BLISSFULLYOBLIVIOUS TO thestormthatwasonitswaytoher,Marawason her waytothehouseofalocalfarmerwhosewife hadrecentlygivenbirth.
Kitty,stayingthroughthe end ofthe week, had chosento remainbehindinthe parlor withthe gossippapers while Mara filledabasketwithhoney,bread,andcheesebeforeheadingout.
Marawalkedbriskly,enjoyingthefeel ofthesunonher faceandthebreezeinher hair Untetheredbyribbonor pin,her curls swungdownher backinarunawaywaterfall ofsun-streakedcopper beneathastraw bonnet Shehadalady’s maidto help her dress and fashion a tidy coiffure, but with no visitors and no husband to admonish her untidy appearance, she preferredstealingthetimetraditionallyusedonreadyingherselfforthedayandspendingitonsomethingelse.Likebringing foodtoafamilywithanothermouthtofeed.
Ifher weddingnighthadn’tbeensucha complete andutter disaster,she likedtothinkthat she mighthave a little girl by now. Alittle girl to nurture and teach. Alittle girl to love. Alittle girl to raise the wayshe wished she and Kittyhad been raised.Withpatience,understanding,andaparent’sunwaveringdevotion.
ell as a fe ra er to he ng ng wn an his ut by en or “I loveanimals!”
“Verygood. And thirdly, and this is the mostimportant. . . a princess mustalways believe inherself, no matter what.” Gentlyextricatingherhairfromthegirl’sgrasp,Maratappedheronthenoseandthenstood.“Ifyoucandothosethreethings, thenyou,mylady,areaprincess.Nowwhydon’tyougoinsidebeforeyourmotherbeginstowonderwhereyouareandyour brotherseatyourpeppermint.”
Theweatherbetweentheendofwinterandthebeginningofspringwasunpredictableatbestandtumultuousatworst,the skyblueoneminuteandblackthenext,theaircalmandthenwildasatempest.Whenshe’dleftthecastle,ithadbeenwarm. Hot, even. Thatwas whyshe’d lefther pelisse athome, exposingher arms to the sunlight. Somewhere alongthe wayshe’d evenlostherbonnet,leavingherwearingnothingmorethanherundergarmentsandafadedbeigedresswithshortsleevesand ashortenedhemforeasierrangeofmovement
Aspatteringofraindrops came first.Big,fatplops ofwater thathadher increasingher steptoa halfwalk,halfrun.But beforeshe’dgonemorethanahandfulofyards,theheavenspartedandadelugesprangforth.
Withashriek,Maratookofftowardtheclosestnaturalsheltershecouldspythroughthesheetsofrain:atoweringoaktree withlimbssolargetheystretchedacrosstheentirelane.Pressingherbackflatagainstthetrunk,shehuggedherselfforwarmth whileberatingherfoolishnessfornotbeingbetterprepared She’dlivedinthisrollingstretchofcountrysideformorethana year andahalfandknew how fasttheweather was capableofchanging SheshouldhavewornaSpencer jacket,or atvery leastashawl.Andwherewasherhat?Inapuddlenow,mostlikely,andherthroatcloggedwithfearassheimaginedhowshe wouldexplainawaythewaste.
“What do you mean, you ’ ve lost a glove?” Eriam Holden’s face contorted in rage as he advanced on his daughter, the flat of his palm already raised
“I’m I’m sorry, Papa ” Tearfully apologetic, Mara willed her feet to remain rooted to the creaking floorboards It was worse when she ran. It was always worse when she ran. “I’m not sure what happened to it. I’ll I’ll go search again, in the morn ”
“You ungrateful little brat. Do you ’ ve any idea how much those gloves cost?” Eriam’s hand flew through the air.
Shuddering,Marapulledherselffromthememory butoneofahundredexactlylikeit andforcedherselftoreturntothe present where moneywas no object and her father no longer loomed inthe shadows, the stenchof ginstaininghis breath, waitingforanexcusetoreleasehisvilehatredforhimselfontohistwodefenselesschildren
EriamHoldenhad drawnhis last earthlybreathsevenmonths ago, but it didn’t matter. Whena monster died, it didn’t disappear.Instead,itwasrelegatedtomomentsoffearandthedregsofnightmareswhereitlaidinwait,clawsextendedand teethsharp.
“Miss, do yourequire assistance?” he called out, cuppinghis hands around his mouthso thathis voice carried over the relentlessdownpour.
“Yes!” With relief coursing through her and rain coursing down her back, Mara slid down a small embankment and stumbled into the road She was shiveringand soaked to the skinbutelated thatrescue had come Atleastbefore the door swungopen...andherhusbandglaredout.
“I loveanimals!”
“Verygood. And thirdly, and this is the mostimportant. . . a princess mustalways believe inherself, no matter what.” Gentlyextricatingherhairfromthegirl’sgrasp,Maratappedheronthenoseandthenstood.“Ifyoucandothosethreethings, thenyou,mylady,areaprincess.Nowwhydon’tyougoinsidebeforeyourmotherbeginstowonderwhereyouareandyour brotherseatyourpeppermint.”
Theweatherbetweentheendofwinterandthebeginningofspringwasunpredictableatbestandtumultuousatworst,the skyblueoneminuteandblackthenext,theaircalmandthenwildasatempest.Whenshe’dleftthecastle,ithadbeenwarm. Hot, even. Thatwas whyshe’d lefther pelisse athome, exposingher arms to the sunlight. Somewhere alongthe wayshe’d evenlostherbonnet,leavingherwearingnothingmorethanherundergarmentsandafadedbeigedresswithshortsleevesand ashortenedhemforeasierrangeofmovement
Aspatteringofraindrops came first.Big,fatplops ofwater thathadher increasingher steptoa halfwalk,halfrun.But beforeshe’dgonemorethanahandfulofyards,theheavenspartedandadelugesprangforth.
Withashriek,Maratookofftowardtheclosestnaturalsheltershecouldspythroughthesheetsofrain:atoweringoaktree withlimbssolargetheystretchedacrosstheentirelane.Pressingherbackflatagainstthetrunk,shehuggedherselfforwarmth whileberatingherfoolishnessfornotbeingbetterprepared She’dlivedinthisrollingstretchofcountrysideformorethana year andahalfandknew how fasttheweather was capableofchanging SheshouldhavewornaSpencer jacket,or atvery leastashawl.Andwherewasherhat?Inapuddlenow,mostlikely,andherthroatcloggedwithfearassheimaginedhowshe wouldexplainawaythewaste.
“What do you mean, you ’ ve lost a glove?” Eriam Holden’s face contorted in rage as he advanced on his daughter, the flat of his palm already raised
“I’m I’m sorry, Papa ” Tearfully apologetic, Mara willed her feet to remain rooted to the creaking floorboards It was worse when she ran. It was always worse when she ran. “I’m not sure what happened to it. I’ll I’ll go search again, in the morn ”
“You ungrateful little brat. Do you ’ ve any idea how much those gloves cost?” Eriam’s hand flew through the air.
Shuddering,Marapulledherselffromthememory butoneofahundredexactlylikeit andforcedherselftoreturntothe present where moneywas no object and her father no longer loomed inthe shadows, the stenchof ginstaininghis breath, waitingforanexcusetoreleasehisvilehatredforhimselfontohistwodefenselesschildren
EriamHoldenhad drawnhis last earthlybreathsevenmonths ago, but it didn’t matter. Whena monster died, it didn’t disappear.Instead,itwasrelegatedtomomentsoffearandthedregsofnightmareswhereitlaidinwait,clawsextendedand teethsharp.
“Miss, do yourequire assistance?” he called out, cuppinghis hands around his mouthso thathis voice carried over the relentlessdownpour.
“Yes!” With relief coursing through her and rain coursing down her back, Mara slid down a small embankment and stumbled into the road She was shiveringand soaked to the skinbutelated thatrescue had come Atleastbefore the door swungopen...andherhusbandglaredout.
