The Duke's Alliance Book Two: A Dangerous Husband Read Free Page B

fingers and with his arm around her waist carefully put her on the daybed. Then he wiped her tears away with his handkerchief. 'There, that's better. I'm a brute to issue orders as if you were a soldier in my corps. Can you forgive me?'
    She sniffed and the soft cloth was returned to her. She blew her nose and managed a weak smile. 'It's I who must beg your pardon. I should not…'
    'Enough, it's forgotten.' He folded his length onto the chair she'd been clutching and smiled. 'I'm afraid you will be even more annoyed with me when I tell you the duke has left on a mission for me. The carriage is waiting, so you can leave as soon as my housekeeper finds you something to cover your gown.'
    'Beau wouldn't depart without making sure I was unhurt.'
    'I told him you were all right and being taken care of. Therefore, there was no need for him to waste time visiting you when there was something more urgent for him to do.'
    Her wariness was replaced by anger at his abrupt and unhelpful remark. 'Since I arrived here this morning someone has tried to kill me and then I fell into the fire, and that's the best you can say? You’re despicable and I shall depart now – I don't care if I've no cloak. There's no one here whose opinion matters to me.'
    She scrambled to her feet and marched towards the door but he was quicker and his bulk prevented her escape. 'You shall leave soon, but not until I've told you what happened after you were brought here. Don't you want to know?'
    She retreated but didn't resume her seat. 'I'm waiting. Kindly get on with it as I'm not going to remain under your roof a moment longer than necessary.'
    *
    Grey wanted to shake some respect into the furious young lady who had the temerity to defy him. He clenched his fists and swallowed his ire. 'The man in the library met his maker before I was able to interrogate him but I'm certain he was part of a plot to kill me.'
    She looked less than impressed with his words and he didn't blame her. Good God, the wretched girl was tapping her foot. 'You arrived inopportunely and the man attempted to kill you in order to stop you warning me he'd gained entry to Heatherfield.'
    'Is that it? I care not who is attempting to assassinate you, sir, but now I've been made part of this and so has my brother.'
    He prepared to explain why he believed he was being hunted but she raised a hand to prevent him speaking. 'I don't want to know anything else. The duke will tell me when he returns.' She tilted her nose in the air and pursed her lips. 'Am I allowed to leave or do you intend to add abduction to your list of sins?'
    He stepped to one side and bowed. He didn't trust himself to say anything polite. She sailed past him and as he watched her his anger changed to something far more dangerous. A wave of heat surged through him and there was an uncomfortable tightness in his breeches.
    The girl had piqued his interest by her rejection and he intended to demonstrate to her that he wasn't a man to turn down such a challenge. He had a moderate amount of success with the fairer sex – indeed was renowned amongst his peers for having some of the most attractive ladies on his arm.
    He had no intention of seducing the girl, that would be atrocious behaviour, but he wanted to demonstrate to her that he wasn't the villain she supposed he was. He would keep his lustful thoughts to himself but that was going to be dammed hard as, without doubt, she was both highly desirable and intelligent. This was a lethal combination in his experience.
    By the time he reached the entrance hall the carriage was pulling away. His charm campaign must wait until he met Lady Madeline again. Ned Bishop should make a full recovery in time, so the doctor had told him, which was a relief as the man was invaluable to him.
    Smith and Jenkins had returned from their search and were waiting to speak to him. He'd had refreshments sent to them so they would be content for a while yet. Before he could see them he must ensure that