Page 17 of Her Temporary Duke (Rakes and Roses #2)

Charlotte ducked her head and slipped away from Tewkesbury’s outstretched arm, weaving through the crowd of swaying bodies and liquor-laced laughter.

She reached the staircase just as the drunken man turned, spotted her, and jabbed a finger her way.

His companion’s eyes found hers. He nodded and started towards Charlotte, pushing his way through the crowd.

Charlotte took the remaining steps at a dash.

The stairs led to a corridor with doors on both sides and a window at the far end.

There was no indication of which door Seth was behind.

Charlotte opened one a crack. A breathy moan, then a man’s rough laughter.

She recoiled, heart pounding, and shut it fast. Footsteps echoed behind her—quick, purposeful.

Skirts in hand now, she hurried along the corridor, but she could not bring herself to open any other doors.

What an embarrassing, ignominious end to this escapade! They will throw me out when they realize I am not a serving girl. Seth might even witness it, which will cement the end of Amelia’s betrothal with him!

Just then, a door to her right tossed open, and a young, fair-haired woman stepped out, scowling.

“If yer’ here to try for the affections of the Duke, you can forget it, love. He’s not in the mood. Never seen him like that. Heartsick for some other woman if I don’t miss my guess,” she scoffed in the accents of the East End.

She walked past, shaking her head. Charlotte stared for a moment at the open door.

Could she be referring to Seth? He came in here with a girl and rejected her?

She opened the door and stepped inside, closing it quickly behind her. For a moment, she stood, breathing hard and taking in her surroundings.

The room was dark. The only window was shaded by curtains. A candle cast flickering shadows that rendered the room’s furniture into strange, alien shapes. A smoldering fire cast a smothering warmth into the air, along with the smell of woodsmoke and char.

“I told you, I do not desire company,” came Seth’s voice, low and rough as gravel, emanating from an armchair outlined against the candlelight. Its back was to the door, and she could not see him.

Behind her, boots pounded along the corridor. At least two men, Charlotte thought. She reached for the door handle and found a key. She turned it quickly.

“I said leave me be!” Seth snapped.

“Are you sure?” she whispered.

A shadow rose from the chair, and her ears perked at the sharp intake of breath.

“You… “What in God’s name are you doing here? Of all places!”

“Looking for you!” she snapped back in equal venom. “We were supposed to be dining together. I waited for you for nearly two hours!”

They faced each other at last, a small gulf of firelight between them. Everything else—the room, the noise beyond the door, even the pounding in her blood—faded into nothing. Behind her, the door handle rattled, and there was a sharp knocking.

Seth didn’t flinch. “Go to the devil! I paid for a private room—respect the damned sign!”

The door trier immediately stopped. Followed shortly by the sound of receding steps. Charlotte breathed a little easier.

“Now, I’ll ask again, what the devil are you doing here? How were you even admitted?” he demanded.

He stepped closer, still shrouded by darkness. Charlotte could smell his cologne and the rank sourness of strong drink. It made her feel sad for him that he had been drinking again. The man she had seen in the library of Hillcrest had been vulnerable; she didn’t like to think of Seth so.

“You invited me to dinner, need I remind you,” she uttered harshly, putting as much anger as she could into her voice.

“I attended, though I thought it odd that you asked me to meet you there instead of escorting me. I should have known why you did that. So that you would have another opportunity to humiliate me!”

“Is that what I am doing?” he asked quietly.

“Why else abandon me so publicly? Forcing me to enter the restaurant alone and leave in the same way. It must have been noted. Why did you propose to me if you do not actually care for me?”

Despite herself, Charlotte’s voice became plaintive. Emotions other than anger colored her words: frustration, longing.

“ Propose to you?” Seth put forth, stepping closer.

The candlelight picked out his foreign features. High cheekbones and eyes that had a slanted, narrowed cast to them. Like an eastern potentate. A sultan or khan.

“What are you speaking of? You know there was no proposal. We were not matched out of tenderness or love, but for practicality. A match of status and wealth. As most marriages are these days. At least among people of our station.” He frowned.

“You confuse me at times, Amelia. Your reputation is such that I would not think you needed that explained to you.”

Strangely, Charlotte felt tears prick at her eyes. His words were almost scornful.

He scorns Amelia, not me. He does not know that I exist. He is not rejecting me but her. I should be ambivalent.

So why did she feel loss?

“I—I forget myself,” she whispered in a note under a breath, “I merely sought clarification, and was told that you were entertaining a young lady. If you desire others, then there is truly nothing between us.”

“Who told you that?” Seth suddenly demanded.

“Does it matter?”

“Yes, they are trying to sabotage me. Now, who ?”

Charlotte scoffed half-heartedly. “ Sabotage you ? I met the girl coming out of this room. She did not seem very happy. Was your liaison so unsatisfactory ?”

He rounded on her, causing her to falter a little. “She insisted on following me to this room when all I desired was some peace and quiet,” he retorted, “I sent her away without touching her. I hardly spared her a glance!”

“I wish I could believe you. She mentioned that another had captured your eye. Is she here? Is that why you are keeping the place so dark?”

Seth growled in his throat and strode away.

Moments later, a lamp was lit, then a second.

Charlotte could see the entire room now.

A writing desk stood in one corner, papers strewn across it.

A bed, perfectly made and undisturbed, was set against one wall.

A chaise stood opposite with a table before it bearing an empty bottle of brandy and one glass.

Seth turned and curled a supercilious brow at her.

“Then—then, who is the woman who has your attention?” she demanded, “If you would rather be with another, then I deserve to know. It would at least help explain your bizarre behaviour—"

“For Christ’s sake, woman, it is you !”