Page 6 of The Duke's Vice

Beatrice shook her head. “I didn’t make it to the party. I was looking for the address, keeping to myself like you told me to and I accidentally bumped into a man. He took one look at me and no matter how much I pretended that I belonged there he knew I didn’t. He ordered me home and I refused.”

Candace gasped. “Lady Beatrice! You promised me that you were only going to take a quick peek at the party and leave.” She started to worry her bottom lip. “Maybe you shouldn’t do this anymore. I was worried sick about you last night. If your mother found out-”

Beatrice walked over to where Candace started to pace. “Candace, look at me. I’m fine! I followed your directions to the letter. I think I walked right past the house and while I was looking I accidentally walked into a man.”

Candace peered into Beatrice’s eyes. “He didn’t take advantage of you?” Her voice held a slight tremor.

Beatrice extended her arms and pulled Candace into a hug. “Of course not! And if he would have tried I would have put those self-defense moves you showed me to work.”

Candace giggled. “Oh heavens, if your mother truly knew all of our conversations she would have me fired immediately.”

Beatrice placed a kiss on her maid’s cheek. “I would never let that happen.”

Her maid sighed and walked over to the closet. “Are you going to tell me about this mystery man?”

Beatrice sat at the dresser and began to brush her hair while Candace pulled out her dress for the day.

“Mystery is right. He was wearing a mask that covered the top half of his face so I didn’t get a clear look at him. It was also after midnight and it’s not the most well lit area of London.”

Candace groaned. “The more I hear of this the more I’m rethinking helping you with your escapades.”

Beatrice smiled at her reflection. “You love it.”

She heard a muffled laugh from behind her. “I do. I shouldn’t. But I do.”

“Still, he had this formidable presence, like he could be dangerous if he wanted to be, but he was holding back for me.”

Candace appeared behind her. “I think you’ve read too many of your sister’s romance novels.”

Beatrice scrunched her face at her maid’s comment. It was true her sister Sarah was the romantic and her books of choice usually dealt with broad chested men saving the poor damsel in distress. While Beatrice didn’t mind those stories, her tastes lied with mysteries and adventure.

“As I was saying, he demanded I leave at once and I refused. So he offered me a trade, one kiss for me to go home.”

Candace’s jaw dropped. “And how did he know you were looking for a kiss?”

Beatrice raised a slender shoulder. “I have no idea. I guess I looked like I needed a kiss.”

The two women giggled until a knock sounded at her door.

“Who is it?” Beatrice called.

“Ms. Adams, miss. Your mother is wondering where you are.”

Beatrice dropped her shoulders. “Please tell her I’m getting dressed. I’ll down soon.”

“Of course, miss.”

The two women waited until Ms. Adams’s steps receded before bursting into another fit of giggles.

“In all seriousness, Lady Beatrice, please be careful. I know you have concocted this list of things to do in your mind, but you can’t check anything off if you’re dead.”

Beatrice guffawed as she stepped into the dress Candace held. “I think you’re being a bit dramatic, don’t you.”

Candace helped tie the silk ribbon at the back of her dress and met Beatrice’s eyes in the mirror. “Not dramatic enough, miss. This is not one of your story books. There is not always a happy ending out there.”

Candace hesitated and dropped her eyes.

“What is it?” Beatrice asked.