Page 133 of Almost A Scoundrel

Both women’s gazes whipped to the footman in equal parts shock and thrill. Mortimer? The duke who’s on the hunt for the betting book.

Oh Lord.How positively eerie!

Phaedra refrained from shooting a glance at the box sitting neatly on the tea table before her and smiled at the footman. “Well, let’s not have the duke wait. Send him in.”

“Phaedra!” Lady Harriet hissed.

“Not to worry,” Phaedra said, raising both her brows at her friends. “It’s not like he will rummage through our belongings.”

Lady Harriet groaned, just as the duke entered the drawing room, bowing in greeting. “Lady Phaedra.” He looked over to her guest. “And Lady Harriet. What an unexpected surprise.”

Truly?Phaedra thought not.

“May I?” He motioned to the sofa.

“Of course,” Phaedra said. “Please, join us. We were just discussing ribbons and trinkets.”

The duke took a seat. He didn’t mince words. “You know why I am here?”

Phaedra titled her head to convey a thoughtful look. “I’ve heard rumors.”

“Rumors?”

“That you are searching for White’s book of curses.”

His lips twitched. “That is no rumor but a fact.”

“In which case I am confused as to your presence here, Your Grace.”

“You distributed copies of it, did you not?”

“I shared what was shared with me,” Phaedra countered. “Is there something wrong with that?”

He considered her for a moment. The man’s eyes had an intensity that would probably have ninety percent of women cowering with just this look alone, but Phaedra was not part of that percentage.

“Wives have been running away from their husbands, stacking up debtors’ notes, and some have even brought their lovers home to flaunt, my lady. This is all thanks to you sharing those copies.”

“Well, imagine how we women felt when we read those wagers.”

“It’s atrocious, I agree, but something needs to be done to settle this matter.”

“You mean the club wants its property back.”

The duke inclined his head.

“And what exactly do you think that will accomplish? In fact, I’m surprised they haven’t opened another book.”

“As long as the missing book is in circulation, the club feels this matter will never be put to rest.”

“And by club you mean the men of theton, right?”

The duke stared at her a moment before switching his gaze to Lady Harriet. “My lady, what do you think?”

Lady Harriet blinked. “I...”

The footman appeared again. “The Marquess of Leeds.”

“Oh, thank God,” Harriet said and jumped up. “If you will excuse me, my husband and I have plans we cannot miss.”