Page 19 of Wedded to the Duke of Seduction

“Noah,” Leo growled.

The Marquess chuckled. “Peace. I was only joking.”

Leo stood abruptly and strode across the room to the bell pull. “Have my carriage brought around,” he ordered the footman who appeared in the doorway.

“The carriage?” Noah raised an eyebrow. “Surely you don’t mean to call on her? That will only fuel the wagging tongues of the ton, especially after your little dance.”

“Of course not.” Leo pulled on his coat. “I’m going to the servants’ entrance like any proper scandalous visitor.”

“Ah, how refreshing to see you maintaining your standards.” Noah rose to follow him. “Shall I come along to prevent bloodshed?”

“Go home, Blytheton. I am sure you have a headache you need to nurse or a bottle you need to open.”

Twenty minutes later, Leo’s carriage stopped in the alley behind Lady Asquith’s townhouse. A kitchen maid nearly dropped her basket of vegetables when he stepped out.

“Good day, sir!” she called out when her eyes caught sight of the ducal coat of arms emblazoned on the carriage door.

“Where is Lady Asquith?”

“She’s gone to Gunter’s with Lady Clarkshire, Your Grace.” The girl’s eyes were as wide as saucers. “For tea.”

Leo gritted his teeth. Of course, she was calmly drinking tea while his reputation lay in tatters across London’s drawing rooms.

“Thank you,” he said, turning on his heel. “That will be all.”

He found them easily enough, seated by Gunter’s front window like a tableau of proper ladies at their morning visit.

Lady Asquith’s dark head was bent toward Lady Clarkshire’s fair one as they shared some private joke. Probably at his expense.

The sight of her laughing so carelessly while his blood still boiled from her latest story made him want to…

Leo unclenched his hands as he pushed open the shop’s door. Both ladies looked up at his entrance, and he had the satisfaction of seeing Lady Asquith’s face pale.

“Lady Clarkshire. Lady Asquith.” He offered a small bow. “What a pleasant surprise to find you here.”

“Your Grace.” Lady Clarkshire rose smoothly and curtsied, the motion effortless. “We didn’t expect to see you in this part of town.”

“I’ve just spoken to your brother, Charles.” The lie rolled smoothly off his tongue. “He mentioned something that might be of interest to you.”

“Charles?” Caroline’s brows lifted delicately. “Really? Surely any news could wait. You needn’t have sought me out to speak with me.”

“I confess, I thought you might prefer discretion in this matter.” Leo’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Perhaps we might take a turn about the street. The morning is quite pleasant.”

Leo took satisfaction in seeing Marina’s fingers tighten on her teacup, but Lady Clarkshire was already rising. “What an excellent suggestion. Lady Asquith, you’ll join us, won’t you?”

“I wouldn’t dream of intruding on a private matter.” Marina lowered her head, failing to meet Leo’s eyes.

“Nonsense.” Leo offered his arm to Lady Clarkshire. “I insist.”

The morning air held a crisp bite as they emerged onto the street. Leo guided them along the fashionable row of shops, maintaining a stream of innocuous conversation about Caroline’s family while his awareness of Marina’s presence beside them burned like a brand.

“Oh!” Caroline’s steps faltered as they passed an elegant shopfront. “Is that the new shipment of novels from Paris that Lady Jersey mentioned?” She peered through the window of Hatchard’s bookshop. “I promised Harold I’d look for that treatise on horticulture he’s been wanting.”

“By all means,” Leo said smoothly. “We shouldn’t keep you from such an important errand.”

The moment Caroline disappeared into the shop, Leo turned on Marina. She stepped back instinctively, but his hand shot out to catch her elbow, drawing her into the shadowed alcove beside the building.

“Your latest story makes for quite interesting reading,” he said softly.