Page 57 of Never Beguile a Duke

“There’s no possible method to prevent Juliette from suffering from the scandal attached to her.” He strummed a chord, winced at the discordant sound, and tightened a string. “How have you dealt with the whispers?”

“Quite poorly, if I’m being honest,” Miss Fernsby-Webb replied, shifting her position and stretching out her legs. “Do you truly not know the disgrace I’ve brought to my family?”

“You were arrested for a crime you didn’t commit.” He played the chord again. “That shouldn’t be held against you.”

“Shouldn’t,” she repeated, her voice catching, “but is. I’ve been excluded from several events since my release.”

The irrational desire to strike someone zipped through his body, and his hand clenched around the neck of the guitar. “What was your sister’s reaction to these slights?”

“She and the Duke of Roxburghe shun the affair.” A tiny grin broke out on Miss Fernsby-Webb’s face. “And the society paper reported the snub the next day.”

“I’ve seen a few of those,” he replied, his fingers coaxing a melancholy tune from the guitar. “I didn’t realize their actions were motivated by revenge. I assumed Roxburghe’s preference for avoiding social functions had infected Miss Webb.”

“There is another scandal of which you should be informed.” She paused and, winding her fingers together and staring down at her lap, she blurted out, “I did have relations with Mr. Hollingsworth.”

He stopped playing. “Your fiancé?”

“My previous fiancé.”

“Then, there is something I must tell you as well.” He waited until she lifted her head. “I had relations with Juliette’s mother.”

She burst out laughing. “I assumed you had.”

“And I assumed you had as well.”

“Oh.” Her cheeks exploded into bright red.

“It doesn’t concern me that you’ve had experience with…”

“One man.”

“One man.” He strummed another chord. “You didn’t kiss anyone else aside from Mr. Hollingsworth?”

“Only you, Your Grace.”

And somehow, I’m going to ensure she never kisses another man again. Even if it costs me ten thousand pounds.

“Remind me to strike Roxburghe when I see him again,” Silas said, returning the guitar to its stand.

“Why would you punch Nora’s fiancé?” she asked, her eyes widening.

“Because he knew my mind before I did, and I find that infuriating.” Silas climbed to his feet and held out his hand to Miss Fernsby-Webb. “Have you more scandals to share?”

“Are those two not enough to deter your interest?”

“Apparently not.” He grinned, lifted her hand, and touched his mouth to her fingers.

Her skin warming beneath his lips, a visible shudder rippled through Miss Fernsby-Webb. “You realize that if Nora catches us together, she’ll insist upon a proposal.”

“I’m quite certain Roxburghe will demand the same.” Silas lowered Miss Fernsby-Webb’s arm but did not release his hold on her. “As will your mother.”

“And with all those obstacles, you’re still willing to risk your freedom on a few stolen moments in my company.” She withdrew her hand. “Surely, you have other options to amuse yourself.”

“None that I wish to pursue.”

The deep red blush that he’d longed to see again exploded across her face. “I’ve done nothing to earn your attention, Your Grace.”

“Maddening, isn’t it?” He reached for her, winding his arms around her waist and drawing her close.