Page 3 of Seven Nights with the Wicked Duke (Regency Beasts #3)

" S hite," Theo cursed as Magnus' sister stormed off in a cloud of her perfume.

He didn't know how he hadn't placed the scent sooner.

Her scent had been the first thing he had noticed when Magnus had introduced them years ago and it had continued to tickle his senses over the years.

It was a unique blend he had never smelt anywhere else, so when he had smelled on the woman in the mouse mask, it should have been easy to know it was her.

He was too blinded by his amusement at the long-legged beautiful creature that had arrested his attention since she had arrived the party and later on by the feel of her skin to notice.

His inner beast had been joyous at the possibility of ruining an innocent that had dared to cross into such a dangerous territory and he had been sore tempted. Arousal had driven him to watch her and then to invite her into the dark space needing to tease and see her come undone.

When he remembered how he had her panting with need, he gritted teeth, tightening his hands into fists. He had no right to know how naughty words excited the little lady or how she had a beautiful set of breasts, just pert and right.

He needed to rid himself of the memory of this encounter quickly. He didn't need to know such intimate things about his friend's younger sister.

If only he had been more observant, things would never have gotten as far as they had. Her voice that should have made him recognize her had only aroused him further even though it screamed familiarity.

Shite, he cursed internally.

He had been so aroused by Magnus' sister that he had tried to tempt her into an affair in one of the alcoves.

He was thankful things hadn't proceeded more than they had or he would be unable to face the man without feeling guilty.

God knows the man already had misgivings about him.

If he were to ever learn the truth of what had happened between him and his sister, he would no doubt ask him to pick his seconds and destroy their circle of friends.

Now that he knew she had a proclivity for mischief, he would have to ensure his friends that organized such parties double checked their guest lists so the stubborn girl wouldn't get hurt.

Christ, she was giving him work he didn't need.

He made to leave, evening ruined, to ensure that the stubborn girl had returned home when he spied a folded piece of paper on the floor wondering what it was.

Could Cecilia have dropped it?

He picked up and perused its contents, anger leaving him with each word he read. Soon, a full-blown smile was spread across his face and he couldn't help but chuckle.

The evening had sure had a lot of surprises for him. At least this was a surprise that called to his humorous side very much but he needed to return home so he could fully enjoy said turn of events.

He stepped into the central hall and made his way up the hidden winding steps to find the host of the evening's festivities to say his goodbyes.

He wouldn't tell her now what had happened or she would scour the rest of the guests present to prevent such an incident happening again but he would do so later in the week when she would have returned to her home in the country.

He found her entangled with a male in nothing but a wolf mask and a kilt and he smiled at the scene. He could trust Selena to secure her own entertainment for the evening and perhaps the week if the man turned out to be skilled at pleasing her.

The beautiful brunette smiled at him, waving off her entertainment and came to place a kiss on his cheek.

"Join us, Your Grace," she invited with a flirtatious flip of her luscious brown hair. "Three is hardly a crowd here."

"While I am flattered, I must refuse your gracious invitation, Selena," he told her with a nod. "I only came to give my greetings and say my goodbyes. I must take my leave."

"You're leaving already, Your Grace?" she asked with a pout. "The night is still young. Did I fail to put on a thrill this time?"

"On the contrary, cara mia ," he answered. "Your party was as interesting as ever but I have found enough excitement for the evening."

She raised a brow, visibly curious.

"I hope she continues to provide you excitement."

"I didn't say it was a she , Selena," he teased.

"I didn't think you had decided to start experimenting at your age, Your Grace," she winked.

He didn't say anything but kissed her hand and left her to continue what he had interrupted.

Around him, moans filled the air betraying what was happening in the alcoves.

She had put on another successful event but instead of head home with a partner, he would be thinking about the girl that had captured his attention.

He thought back to the letter in his pockets and smiled when he stepped out into the cold air.

He hailed a hansom, already picturing the many ways he could exploit the secret he and the stubborn girl now shared and her list in his hands gave him ample opportunity to ensure she didn't do anything silly.

Since she had decided to provoke him into the role of an older brother, he would ensure he was the best there ever was.

After a long soak in the bath and a luxurious dinner, he opened Cecilia's list, chuckling to himself as he read. Written in such elegant font, one might assume the list would be anything but the scandalous list in his hands.

List of things to do before I marry any cad my brother chooses:

Attend a scandalous party and kiss a man

Dance an unforgettable waltz where my heart threatens to leap out of my chest.

Swim naked

Let a man touch my body

Gamble

Wear something scandalous

Have a luxurious dinner without concern for propriety.

Stand up to my brother and tell him to get his head out of his arse.

Theo couldn't help but laugh at that last line. Oh how he would love to see that. He would love to see it very much.

Magnus thought his sister some sweet delicate flower to be protected and locked away but she was a spit fire waiting for the right chance to burn freely and the thought had a mischievous fire swirling in his blood.

He had a thing for breaking rules and rebellion and seeing a kindred soul in Cecilia he was tempted to help her but he knew helping her meant getting her in the paths of dangerous men who could hurt her.

It was his duty to report it to Magnus but he decided against it.

Perhaps her mortification at being caught by him would teach her to stay away from a dangerous course of action.

He imagined how upset she would be when she returned home to search for her list. Her lovely green eyes would spark with anger again just as they had with but unfortunately he wouldn't be there to see it.

He looked at the list and smiled.

"I am here to find my own pleasure."

She had looked so determined when she had said the words that lust had burned in his blood. If she weren't Magnus' sister…

As soon as the though began, he buried it as well as every memory of his encounter with her. he couldn't allow those thoughts sit in his conscious mind or he would find ways to be around her until he inevitably did the wrong thing.

Now that the temptation had been implanted in his mind, it would only take a little push until he finally gave in.

"You have a visitor, Your Grace," Charles, his butler, interrupted suddenly.

He sat up wondering who it would be that would come visiting so late.

Could it be Magnus? he wondered.

Surely he hadn't heard anything that had happened with his sister.

He had taken care not to speak her name when he had discovered who she was so no one in attendance would know who she was.

"Who is it, Charles?" he asked.

"Your uncle. Lord Cuthbert."

“Oh," Theo said, perking up. "Send him in."

He had been meaning to see to the business of his monthly allowance, but he hadn't quite gotten around to it as he had been more occupied than usual. It was good then he had come to visit.

The man had played a pivotal role helping him adjust to his new title and the responsibilities he would now hold. He had been patient as a teacher, more so than his father had ever been and as such, he had a fondness for the man.

Theo gave him in one of the other family estates on the outskirts of London to live in since the man preferred to keep to himself. He didn't relish social activities even though he encouraged Theo's participation in them.

It was unfortunate the man never married or Theo might have family.

"My dear boy," his uncle greeted, coming to shake his head but Theo pulled him into a hug.

"Uncle." He smiled. "How are you?"

"I am well as always," Cuthbert answered. "How are things at the estate?"

Cuthbert was almost an exact copy of his father except his build was broader and he had a less stern face. Even now, he was handsome with slightly greying hair at his temples.

"As well as could be," Theo answered. "You're out later than usual. Is all well?"

"Indeed. I just met with the Duke of Blackmore," he answered. "I must thank you for putting in a good word for me."

Theo nodded.

He had encouraged the meeting as his uncle had an interest in investing in the railing business much like Magnus and he was glad to see that the man was working to increase his income.

When the man had approached him with the idea, it had been an easy thing to use his connection to Magnus to secure a meeting.

"It is now up to him to decide on going ahead," Theo told him.

"Can you not put in a word?" Cuthbert asked. "He is your friend. Surely he would…"

"I prefer not to use my connections to my friends that way," Theo interrupted. "If he believes you worthy, then he will communicate his decision."

"Indeed." Cuthbert nodded. "Pour me a drink, will you? I am in the mood to celebrate early."

He nodded and rose to pour him his preferred drink: whiskey.

Theo handed him the drink and took his seat, moving Cecilia's list to the side so his uncle didn't read it.

"Have I interrupted your correspondence?" he asked.

He looked up to see the man with a broad grin splitting his face.

"My correspondence?"

"Weren't you writing a letter?" Cuthbert asked. "There is only one reason a man writes a letter so late: he is writing to a beloved. Is a wedding in the near future?"

Theo laughed at the notion that he would be so idle that he would have nothing more to do than to write a letter to a woman he was courting.

Marriage was the furthest thing from his mind and even when he finally decided to do so, it would be solely because he needed heirs to continue the line of succession.

And that was only if his uncle didn't choose to marry and have a son.

The man was better suited to fatherhood than Theo could ever hope to be.

"It is not what you think, Uncle," he answered. "I have only just begun decluttering my desk."

"If you say so," Cuthbert smiled, unconvinced. "But you should consider taking a wife soon. Don't become an old bachelor like me."

"I will consider it when I am older."

His uncle laughed and rose to his feet.

"I should take my leave now. I have kept you for too long."

"Nonsense, Uncle. You're always welcome to visit."

"Have a good night, Emerton."

When his uncle's carriage finally rolled off, Theo folded the letter into his pocket and had his own carriage made ready. He would be afforded no sleep if the list stayed with him.