Bewitching the Duke Read Free

a bee yesterday. I was just making certain everything was all right with him. His brother died of a bee sting a few years ago.”
    A bee sting could kill a person? He’d never heard of such nonsense. “Was he all right?”
    “Yes. The mark is still a little red but he shall be just fine.”
    “Excellent.”
    An uncomfortable silence filled the air around them. He had no idea how to broach the subject. “Miss White, I do hope you understand—”
    “Of course, Your Grace. You did not expect someone to disturb your peace while you slept. It is completely reasonable that you might have been irritable this morning.”
    Did she actually think his petulance had something to do with lack of sleep? “I believe you misunderstand me, Miss White.”
    “Oh?”
    “I don’t want you here,” he said quietly. Shame heated his cheeks. But he had no reason for embarrassment. Her mother, with her assorted herbs and nonsense, had caused his sorrow. Colin had never thought that the dreadful woman’s daughter would still be here on the estate. As Kate had told him, it was time to grow up and take charge of his life. It was strange to hear such a mature speech from a woman ten years younger than him.
    “I understand, Your Grace. I shall stay away from your bedchamber.” She started to walk away again.
    “Miss White,” he called out.
    She stopped and looked back at him. “Are we not finished, Your Grace?”
    “No.” He waited until she turned to face him. “I don’t want you in my home.”
    “Very well,” she replied tightly.
    “I also don’t want you here any longer.”
    Her mouth dropped open. “I don’t believe I understand, Your Grace.”
    “I wish for you to leave your cottage while I’m here.”
    “Leave?” she repeated.
    “Yes. I’m quite certain you realize why I would like you to depart. I’m not asking you to leave Northrop Park permanently, only until after the wedding. Obviously, the tenants appreciate your work here. But I . . .” Dear God, she had him babbling like an idiot! “I don’t want the reminder of what happened.”
    “My being here or not being here will not change your memories, Your Grace. The only one who can do that is you.”
    Colin felt his anger stir again. “It matters not. I do not want the remembrance of what happened here. And you are only a reminder of that pain. Do you understand?”
    “Yes. I believe I do.”
    “Very well, then.” He turned away believing everything was settled. She would leave and perhaps he might be able to stand living on the estate for the next two months until the wedding was over.
    But as he looked up at the ancient house, all the painful memories returned.

    As Selina strode away from the irksome duke, she couldn’t help but glance back at him. She’d be damned if she let him chase her from her home. She had two women about ready to deliver, an elderly man who was losing his mind, and a woman sick with the wasting disease. Nothing and no one would keep her from doing her job.
    Not even the Duke of Northrop.

Chapter 2
    Colin walked through the house the next morning, frustrated by the condition of his ancestral home. Wallpaper was pulling away from the walls, the rugs were threadbare and covered in dust, and, based on the buckets on the third floor, he assumed there were leaks in the roof. He blew out a long breath. This was his fault. Guilt spread over him as he walked toward his study.
    He had no one to blame but himself for the dreadful state of disrepair. His steward had informed him of the needed repairs but he’d ignored those letters. He’d wanted no reminders of this place. Being here now brought back all the horrific memories.
    How could he have returned to this godforsaken place? Even now, he felt on edge. He’d spent most of yesterday out of the house, unable to face the memories that remained locked in these walls. It was as if it had only been a few days, not years since that March night.
    Already, it felt as if the house was