Page 2 of Boxing With My Duke (A Sweet and Lighthearted Regency #16)

L ady Catherine Campbell swished past him and took a seat across from his desk. “ Let’s get this over with,” she said in a huff. “ I’m desperately worried about my brother.”

Carlton bit the inside of his cheek, conflicted with feelings, but the two vying for the top spot were irritation and lust. He’d rather focus on her curves, imagining how she would feel in his arms, but in the few minutes he’d known her, he found her snappish attitude exhausting. “ Tell me why you are here,” he sighed. “ I know it’s about your brother, but why do you think he would be here?”

“ My brother Edward .” She gave her head a slight shake and exhaled. “ Our father passed away eleven months ago, and my brother—who always thought of himself as the spare—is now the Earl of Landon . Something he’d never even considered until the death of our older brother, William , a year and a half ago.” She cleared her throat as she glanced down at the gloves on her lap.

Carlton could not help but feel sorry for Lady Catherine and her family. He vaguely knew the older brother, who had been rumored to frequent the opium dens, unbeknownst to his family. William was robbed and stabbed one night as he was leaving one of the most notorious dens and tragically died from his wounds in the back alley. Even worse, when the authorities finally discovered him, he’d been stripped of everything—clothes, shoes, even his underclothing. Picked apart by the buzzards in the East End .

The old earl had most likely died of a broken heart— William having been his heir and favorite. Edward couldn’t have predicted the one-two punch of losing both his brother and father within months of each other. The poor bloke had been studying music at Oxford and suddenly had to take on the mantle of the Earl of Landon . It was no wonder their mother hadn’t recovered from her mourning.

“ Since coming into his title, Edward has been making foolish mistakes, but this latest one could be irreparable. He met a young woman here and has convinced himself he is in love and must marry her.” She leaned forward, and Carlton found himself once more captivated by her beauty. He couldn’t help but picture that dark hair spread out across his pillow, those striking blue eyes gazing up at him, those pouty pink lips beckoning him for a kiss…

“ I need you,” she whispered. “ I need you desperately…”

“ Huh ? Wha —?” He cleared his throat, wondering if his mind was playing tricks on him.

“ I said that I need your help, Your Grace . I’m in a desperate situation here. Aren’t you listening?” She crossed her arms over her chest, making her already curvaceous bosom even more rounded and delectable. Double damn! He poured himself a shot of brandy and gulped it down. “ Shall I ring for tea?” He avoided looking at her as he poured himself another drink.

“ No , I don’t want any tea. For goodness’ sake! You’re the only one who can help me find my brother before he makes the worst mistake of his life by marrying that woman.”

“ Who ?” Carlton asked, his irritation rising. Good . Stay that way. Stay irritated.

“ Who ?” she repeated.

“ May I inquire the name of the young woman?” Carlton asked, hoping she would name someone else—anyone else.

“ I believe her name is Serafina . I also believe Edward is most enamored of her. It’s as though she’s bewitched him.”

Carlton snorted. Bewitched my arse! Serafina is a beautiful girl, both intelligent and warm-hearted. Of course, Edward was taken with her. But he had to admit that Lady Catherine was right. They were too young and inexperienced to pursue such a whimsical dream. “ I assure you, my bookkeeper is not a witch. She’s a young woman under my protection,” he drawled, watching her reaction. “ A nice young woman.”

Lady Catherine started at his revelation. “ Then , you have been duped by her as well, Your Grace . If my brother’s valet is to be believed, Edward has seen her every day for the past two weeks.”

Duped ? Now he was beyond irate. “ Do you think they’re planning to marry?” Carlton probed.

“ Of course I do! My brother packed a small valise and told his valet he was going on a brief trip to London to speak with our solicitor on estate matters and would not require his services. Carruthers has been my brother’s valet since he was a boy. He knows when my brother is lying. And besides, we only just met with our solicitor last month.” She tapped her index finger on the desk. “ I am positive they’ve run off together.”

“ I’m shocked the valet shared your brother’s plans with you,” Carlton mused out loud. “ I would sack him, were he mine.”

“ Carruthers was only acting in Edward’s best interests,” she said in a haughty tone. “ But what of your ward? Do you know where Serafina is?”

She’s a clever one, Lady Catherine . “ I’m looking into that as we speak.”

Thankfully , he was saved by a knock on his office door. “ Enter .”

Adams stepped inside and shook his head but said nothing.

Carlton nodded. Double damn!

“ If they are together, where do you think they went?” Lady Catherine asked.

Carlton regarded her. “ Gretna Green . Order my carriage be brought around to the front,” he ordered.

“ Yes , Your Grace ,” Adams said, making a swift exit.

He had no choice. He had to go after them. He liked young Landon , but his priority was protecting Serafina —even from herself. “ My coach is being readied.”

“ I will follow you in my carriage.”

“ Absolutely not! I will go on my own and bring them back.”

“ I will not sit idly by at home, twiddling my thumbs, Your Grace . I am coming with you.”

Stubborn woman! Carlton poured himself another draught of brandy and downed it in one gulp. There was no use arguing with her. “ Very well, but you can send your carriage home. We’ll take mine. It’s large, well-sprung, and comfortable. The journey will be difficult enough without adding to our discomfort,” Carlton said.

Catherine sputtered. “ What do you mean?”

“ I mean that my carriage is built to accommodate my height.”

“ Oh !” She glanced away, her cheeks flushing red.

She was even prettier when she blushed. Double damn it all to hell and back. This would be one heck of a trip.

“ Wait —my maid…” Catherine protested. “ She isn’t with me.”

He arched a brow. “ Interesting . You charged into a men’s club unchaperoned? Yet , you represent yourself as a troubadour for social mores.”

“ I …thought I’d find him here,” she sputtered. “ I acted on impulse without giving enough thought.”

Her contrition made him feel sorry for her. But only just. “ How old is your brother?”

“ He’s twenty,” Lady Campbell replied. “ We are twins.”

Carlton caught himself staring at her.

She held his gaze. “ I’m older by two minutes.”

“ It’s my turn to be surprised,” Carlton said. “ Come along then, Lady Campbell . Let us go rescue your twin brother—younger by two minutes—and my ward.”

Carlton had no doubt the trip to Gretna Green would be a miserable one. Lady Campbell was a stubborn, snappish woman. Nevertheless , they were united by a mutual cause. To stop a wedding.