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M ADDIE FOUGHT THE urge to cry. It was her fault if Hector found himself in this horrible situation.

The fact he didn’t seem affected by the devastating news Ernest had delivered them made her more anxious.

She opened and closed her hands on her lap, wishing to keep them busy with a pencil so as not to think.

“There must be something we can do.” Her voice sounded high-pitched to her own ears.

Ernest rubbed his forehead. A few documents were spread in front of him on the low table in her drawing room.

“I’m afraid legally Bkackburn has every right to request a medical assessment of Lord Hector’s mental abilities.

His solicitor rejected my petition to divert the title to Lord Hector and replied with this request.”

“But he isn’t insane,” she said, closing her fists. “Hector is the sanest person I’ve ever met.”

Hector placed his hand over hers and squeezed it gently. “I’m not afraid of this assessment. Any doctor would realise I’m not a danger.”

Ernest shifted in his seat with a nervous twitch Maddie didn’t like.

“Lord Hector—” Ernest paused, which she didn’t like.

He was a man with a direct manner, never stalling.

“I’d like to say the doctors in Harley Street are all well intentioned and professional.

Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Blackburn has led a…

” He glanced at Maddie. “Shall we say a licentious life? He enjoys every illicit pleasure London has to offer. He is discreet, but rumours spread. I don’t dabble in gossip.

Yet I’ve heard of Blackburn’s habits and licentious company.

” He paused to take a sip of water. “The duke cannot lead such a hidden, dissolute life without the support of other prominent figures in London’s society.

To put it bluntly, Blackburn wouldn’t have to look far to find a doctor willing to produce a document containing blatant lies on your health. ”

Hector’s hand stiffened on hers. “He wouldn’t go that far.”

Maddie trapped her quivering bottom lip between her teeth.

He was so trusting of others he had no idea what people like the duke were capable of.

“The duke needs to keep his money and title,” she said.

“I believe he’d be desperate enough to do everything in his power to keep his life unchanged.

” Lord, what would she do if Hector was locked up in a mental institution? He’d never come out. “What can we do?”

“Legally, ask for a second medical opinion in case the duke’s physician gives an unfavourable diagnosis.

” Ernest gathered the documents, the gesture lacking confidence.

“Socially, I’d strongly suggest you show yourself at as many social events as you can to quell any rumours about the Savage Duke.

” He paused to gaze up at Hector. There was no hint of the caring and attentive man he was with Verity.

His hard expression held only ruthlessness.

“And I strongly advise you to behave flawlessly. As for. Blackburn, it would best if you kept an eye on him and pretended everything is fine.”

“Is that all?” Maddie asked.

He cleared his throat. “There might be something else.”

“Yes?” Maddie prompted.

Ernest took his time before continuing, straightening the documents. “Miss Frances Naylor. I guess she’s the young woman Hector saw with his cousin.”

Maddie froze. “How do you know about Frances?”

Ernest scratched the back of his neck. “You told Verity. She told me. Don’t be angry with your sister,” he added quickly. “She was concerned about the girl and asked me if there was a legal way to help her.”

“I won’t use Frances against my cousin.” Hector shook his head. “Quentin would destroy her reputation.”

“But there is the possibility that if Blackburn fears you might reveal what happened with Miss Frances, he will withdraw his request. We can protect Miss Frances’s reputation,” Ernest said.

“No, it’s too risky.”

Maddie’s admiration for him only grew. He was ready to face a false accusation rather than let Frances be ruined. But still... “You’d save dozens of families.”

“Good point,” Ernest said. “As unfortunate as Frances’s situation might be, the lives of the workers will be saved.”

Hector pressed his lips. “Sacrifice Frances for the workers? I’m not sure I can do that.”

Maddie understood his desire to do good. “But, Hector?—”

“No.” His voice hardened. “We’ll find another way.”

Ernest cradled his chin. “Then I don’t have any other ideas for now.” He rose, his shoulders hunched. “I’ll do everything in my power to further your cause.”

Hector rose as well and shook Ernest’s hand with energy. “And I’ll do everything in my power to behave properly.”

The two men grinned at each other.

“I’ll visit Verity shortly, then I’ll have to write a counter reply to the duke’s solicitor.” He bowed his head, and after a brief exchange of nods, Ernest left.

The moment he stepped out of the room, Maddie shot to her feet and paced. What had made her believe she could have helped Hector? She’d made the situation worse.

“This is terrible.” She wrung her hands.

Anxiety was tightening a knot in her stomach. Perhaps, if they found a way to protect Frances as Ernest had said, they might convince the duke to leave his title. But again, the duke might not care about exposure. No, Hector was right; using Frances would be vile.

It was horrible enough that Hector was deprived of his right to the dukedom and that those poor labourers were condemned to work in horrible conditions, without the added fear that Hector could be trapped in a mental institution.

She’d heard horrible stories of those hospitals.

If that happened, then she’d find a way to help him escape.

She could hire one of those highwaymen who—Hector taking her hand interrupted her sad train of thought.

“You don’t have to worry,” he said, rubbing her knuckles with his thumb.

“How can I not? Your cousin is a duke and a well-connected one. He could harm you, have you locked up somewhere, even in prison.”

Hector trailed his fingers up her arm, starting the usual tingle in her body his touch triggered. “If he has me locked up, I’ll escape. I lived on a deserted island for years. I’m sure I can survive in the English countryside if necessary.”

“Surviving doesn’t mean living. After all you’ve been through, you should take back what’s rightfully yours.” She heaved a sigh, but she wasn’t sure if it came from her fear for him or from his wandering fingers caressing her neck.

“I promise I’ll be more careful and control my anger. What happened in Mrs. Landon’s house wasn’t your fault. It was mine. All mine. I learnt my lesson. I won’t do it again. I want to help the workers who have served my family for years. And I want you to be proud of me.”

“I already am.” Shock crept into her voice. How could he think she wasn’t proud of who he was?

He tangled his fingers through her hair, toying with a long tendril. “Then I want to dispel your fear of me. I want you to trust me completely.” He ran his fingers over the curve of her cheek and neck, making it difficult for her to think. “And I want to kiss you.”

“You can kiss me anytime you want,” she said breathlessly. “As long as we’re alone, that is.” She rose on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his lips.

He kissed her back, but not with his usual hunger. When she withdrew, he sucked in a breath.

“What is it?” she asked.

“I want to kiss you here.” He inched his hand lower over her collarbone, breast, hip, to stop between her legs. “When we kiss, you always squeeze your legs together, and I want to see what happens if I kiss you here.”

The shock of his honesty robbed her of words for a moment. What was she supposed to reply to at a request like that? Her lips parted, but not a sound came out. Although wetness pooled between her legs at the thought of his soft, warm lips on her aching core.

She wasn’t an expert, but she knew his lips and tongue would soothe the throb tormenting her every time he touched her. Just feeling the weight of his hand through the layers of her petticoats and skirt caused the illicit pulse to pound harder. Everywhere. Her whole body came alive with sensation.

He removed his hand and stepped away. “I must apologise. It seems my request was too bold and inappropriate.”

“No!” she nearly shouted.

She clutched his retreating hand by pure instinct without having made the conscious choice to move.

She licked her suddenly dry lips as she pondered once again if she was making the right decision.

But good heaven, she wanted to experience all the sinful sensations his lips had to offer, and she couldn’t imagine a better man to share such intimacies with.

Hector wouldn’t judge or scorn her. He wouldn’t gossip about her wanton behaviour at a gentlemen’s club like too many men.

He wouldn’t discard her afterwards. So, she did the only sensible thing her body and mind told her to do.

She took his hand. “Not in this room. Anyone could see us.” She peeped in the hallway.

The noise of pots and pans came from the kitchen while her mother’s voice sounded from the parlour. On her tiptoes, Maddie led Hector up the stairs, her pulse thudding in her ears. Only a few feet from her bedroom. Anticipation itched along her body. She gasped when a door opened.

Verity stepped out of her bedroom and skidded to a halt. She took them in, and a smile curled up her lips. Tilting her head to the opposite side, pretending to haven’t seen them, she went down the stairs.

Maddie smiled. She loved her sister. She exhaled when she finally locked the door to her bedroom, Hector at her side.

“Look at your face.” He cupped her cheeks. “All flushed. But it’s worry, not pleasure.”

“It’s a little exciting as well.” She leant into his touch.

“May I kiss you now?” His voice sounded low and husky.