Page 4 of The Untamed Duke (The Secret Crusaders #3)

CHAPTER 4

J ournal of the Duke of Foxworth:

I have always prided myself on my control.

Control over my domain, my world, my behavior. Control over the emotions, needs and desires that would render me powerless against a foe. Yet now unforeseen circumstances threaten all.

I cannot change the past, yet I can alter the future. I will attain both my vengeance and that which I desire. By the time Bradenton realizes what is happening, it will be too late. For despite Sophia’s attempts, she will play her part as long as I keep control.

No one has ever tested it like her.

“This is a shock.”

That was most certainly true.

“No, shocked is not the right word. Stunned. Astonished. Almost speechless.”

Indeed.

Kenneth had kissed many women in his life, beautiful, passionate, experienced women.

It had never been like this.

They had almost been caught. One moment he was drowning in the magnificence that was Sophia; in the next the intruder threatened everything. It had taken every bit of strength to pull back, to somehow move across the room, to the opposite wall. He’d even grabbed a book, although its title was as much a mystery as his inexplicable actions.

Clara stepped forward, her eyes wide with wonder. “The two of you in the same room and not at swords. A cause for celebration, I’d say. Although…” Her eyes darted back and forth. “You should not be alone. You are lucky it was me who arrived, because I know nothing untoward happened.

“Of course not.” Sophia placed her hand to her heart, her chest rising and falling with the remnants of nothing untoward . A few strands of those luscious locks had escaped the confines of the pins, and Kenneth resisted the urge to smooth the silky tresses, recapture the softness. Her cheeks were alight with pinkness, her eyes glittering like sapphires. Had Clara not been so innocent, she would have recognized Sophia as a woman who had been thoroughly kissed.

“You do seem a little flushed.” His sister now frowned. “Were you arguing?”

Sophia choked lightly. “Not at all. I’m just a tad warm.” She fanned herself with a slender hand. “I must have delved too close to the heat, I mean fire… er, fireplace.” Her cheeks flamed.

“Really?” Clara inclined her head. “I’ve always thought the library rather drafty.”

“We were actually discussing the décor.” Kenneth stepped forward. “I was showing her my artistic touch .”

Sophia turned as pink as an overripe strawberry. “We should let you get back to work.” She edged towards the door, practically hugging the wall. Did she think he would leap out and continue their sensual duel?

It was tempting.

Clearly the kiss had unbalanced the spirited woman. He would need to do it again. Soon. “It’s not a bother at all. Did you enjoy it?”

As Clara looked on in confusion, Sophia’s fiery expression proved she knew exactly what he meant. “It was…” Her voice trailed off.

“Riveting?Fascinating? Enthralling?”

Sapphire eyes shuttered, yet her expression betrayed the truth. The kiss had been all those, and more.

“Unexpected.”

The whispered word was barely audible, yet somehow it carried the message of a thousand emotions. His amusement faded, as memories of the kiss swirled. It had indeed been unexpected.

“That must have been quite the conversation.” Clara studied them closer, with a slowly widening smile. She may be young, but she was highly intelligent.

Not good. Clara could not get involved in his plans. “I’m afraid I must return to work.”

“Of course.” Sophia’s relief was apparent. “It was a pleasure to see you.” Her eyes widened. “I mean it was entertaining, I mean delicious…” She sighed, practically lunging for the door. “I’m leaving now.”

He didn’t move, despite the inexplicable urge to step between her and the exit, to prevent her departure. She was but a facet of his plan, the means by which he would accomplish his goal.

Yet something in him whispered, Could she be more?

As the door clicked shut, he released a breath. The kiss may have undone Sophia, yet it affected him more than he’d ever admit. The connection they’d shared…

Stop.

He could not allow her to upend his emotions, threaten his control. He’d seen such sentiments shatter his mother, and he grew up without a father for it. He needed to focus on his plan and the thousands of responsibilities thrust upon him by his new role. He strode to his desk, sank on the plush chair. For now, he’d have to settle for attacking the mountain of letters awaiting his attention.

The first letter was from Travis, a man who’d conducted “business” with his father. From the message’s not-so-subtle hints, the word business was a metaphor for unsavory activities. Despite Sophia’s labeling his intentions as such, he believed in honor. From the little he’d discovered about his father, the same could not be claimed.

His father’s absence was more pronounced than ever, and the more he learned, the sharper the blade. His mother had never revealed his father’s title, just that he was an Englishman with a short temper and an even shorter attention span. She’d stayed with him just long enough for two children to be born, before fleeing to her family in Scotland, and they never heard from the dukedom again.

Until Adam arrived to bestow the inheritance he never wanted.

At first, he gave his cousin a resolute no. Why would he leave a fine life in Scotland, sweep his sister to an unfamiliar and often unfriendly country? Yet when Adam revealed the next heir was a wastrel and gambler, ironically similar to his father, Kenneth could not abandon the estate and those under its care. He hadn’t a choice.

Thus he became Foxworth.

He tossed the letter into the fire. He’d already written multiple times to say the estate would no longer conduct business with them, no matter how lucrative. Kenneth reached for another letter, yet the papers blurred, replaced by the image of a woman.

What had Sophia sought in her investigation? Something to use against him, or perhaps proof of his plan? If a disagreement between servants hadn’t prompted his delay in reaching the library, she never would have seen the locked drawer. Yet it didn’t truly matter. Nothing would stop what he had begun.

“You wanted to see me?”

Kenneth looked up sharply. Sophia had so beguiled him, he hadn’t even noticed his cousin’s entrance. “Thank you for coming.”

Adam strode into the room. “I saw Clara and Sophia leaving the library, the latter of whom appeared to be scouring the corners. Did she lose something?” The words were said lightly, yet the slightest edge lurked underneath.

Kenneth grasped the papers on his desk, stacking them into a pile. “She was admiring the new decorations. She likes to keep abreast of all happenings in the ton. ”

“Does she?” Adam stopped several feet from the desk. “What about the world outside it?”

“World outside it?” Kenneth straightened the quills. “What do you mean?”

“Your sister is in Lady Priscilla’s sewing group, is she not?”

“The Distinguished Ladies of Purpose ,” Kenneth affirmed. “Clara is quite adept with a needle.”

“That would be something unusual for that group.”

Kenneth stiffened, looked up. “Pardon me?”

“Never mind.” Adam stepped forward. “There is a guild member with flaxen hair and sapphire eyes, who is not of the ton, but leads some sort of sanctuary. Has Clara mentioned her?”

It was a peculiar question, for which he didn’t have an answer. “I am not familiar with most of the ladies. Are you searching for someone?”

“I am simply assisting a friend.” Before Kenneth could inquire further, he swiftly continued, “Your message said you had important information.”

Kenneth hesitated. If something was afoot with the guild, he had to know, for his sister’s safety. Yet surely Adam would tell him anything urgent, and right now other matters took preference. Once it was concluded, he would investigate himself. “I’m going away.”

Adam rubbed his jaw. “You’ve only just returned. Have you been called back to Scotland?”

“Not exactly.” Kenneth would only share the necessary details, so that if matters went awry, his cousin would not be held responsible. In truth, he wasn’t entirely certain Adam wouldn’t try to stop him.

Adam’s eyes darkened. “Is this about your feud with Bradenton?”

He stayed stoic.

“I see.”

Kenneth lowered his eyes to the drawer that held his father’s journal. Remembered every word. Straightened. “I will only be gone a few days. Grandmother and Clara are going on holiday, so you needn’t worry about them.”

His grandmother had grumbled at the sudden trip during the height of the season, but he’d convinced her Clara needed a little escape from the chaos of the ton. It was not entirely untrue. His sister found London a trial, although matters had improved since she befriended Sophia.

“And where will you be during this sojourn?” Adam leaned against the desk. “How will I reach you in an emergency?”

Kenneth frowned. He’d planned to disappear completely, yet Adam brought up a valid point. What if his sister or grandmother needed him while he was away? Even when he visited Scotland, they knew how to contact him. He could not abandon them completely.

He grasped a quill. Dipping the tip into a fresh ink pot, he scribbled his destination on a paper. “I will be half a day’s ride from here. Do not share my location, and only contact me in an emergency.” He paused. “I will not be alone.”

Adam’s frown deepened. “Who will be with you?”

“Lady Sophia.”

In an instant, suspicion turned to astonishment, doubt to anger. Adam stepped around the desk. “Now see here–”

“I plan nothing untoward.” Kenneth stood, holding out his hand. “I do not intend to compromise her.”

“You don’t plan to compromise her?” Adam echoed. “This little trip will ruin her, even if you don’t touch her.”

What would Adam say if he knew he already kissed her? “I have no intention of allowing scandal to reach anyone, not even Bradenton.”

Adam halted. “I don’t understand.”

It had taken a lot of time and effort to perfect his plan so that it punished the right person, while sparing all others. “This will be purely personal revenge. Bradenton will know I’ve taken her, yet everyone else will believe Sophia went on holiday.”

“Why would they think that?”

“Because that’s what Bradenton is going to tell them.”

Adam stared. Kenneth took advantage of his surprise, pressing forward, “I will leave a letter for the duke, sharing I have taken his sister, and will return her unharmed in a few days. If he wishes to avoid scandal, he must do nothing while he awaits our return.”

Adam opened his mouth, closed it. Asked in an incredulous tone, “Do you truly believe Sophia will go with you willingly?”

Not a chance. “I am certain I can convince her.” Convince may be another word for kidnap. “She may even enjoy it.” There was at least a one in a thousand chance.

“And if she refuses?”

“I will reason with her.” Which may or may not involve tossing her over my shoulder and disappearing into the night.

Adam held his gaze. “Regardless of your intentions, your plan will shatter lives. Only that’s what you want, isn’t it? To destroy Bradenton?” He leaned closer. “This revenge is consuming you, Kenneth. You’re a good man. I know about the people you’ve helped.”

A frisson of discomfort surfaced. He looked away.

“I’ve seen the donations on the account books.” Adam’s sharp voice drew him back. “I know about your charitable work.”

Kenneth frowned. He’d contributed far more than the books reflected, and he planned to do more after his campaign. “This isn’t just about revenge. I’m ensuring Bradenton does not destroy another family.”

“What could he have possibly done to deserve this?” Adam braced both hands against the desk. “What crime could be so great to convince you to seek vengeance?”

Kenneth’s heart thundered, surging blood throughout his veins. He never planned to share his reasons with Adam, never intended to tell anyone. Yet a single word emerged, “Murder.”

Adam froze. When he spoke again, his voice was low, deliberate. “Murder?”

Pure fury rose, his constant companion since the moment he left Scotland for a title he never wanted, to avenge a father he never knew. Bradenton hadn’t just stolen his father. He’d taken his very life. “Bradenton murdered my father, but not before he destroyed him.”

“I can’t believe it.” Adam pushed himself off the desk. “Bradenton would never murder a man. If it happened the other way…”

Kenneth tightened.

Adam held out his hand. “Forgive me. I shall not speak ill of the dead, yet you must be mistaken. Who made such claims?”

“My father.”

Adam gaped.

“I can’t explain, but it’s true. There’s no justice for men like Bradenton, unless someone is willing to fight.”

Adam stared at him for a moment. “Have you confronted Bradenton? Demanded an explanation?”

“It would do no good.” Kenneth walked around the desk, stopping directly in front of his cousin. “He would only deny it.”

“It just doesn’t seem possible.” For a moment, Adam studied Kenneth, assessing, contemplating. “Yet I believe you have good reason for thinking it. Despite that, I implore you to reconsider. You risk scandal for both families.”

“Which is why I sent Clara and Grandmother away,” Kenneth admitted. “However, it’s only a precaution. As I said, the chances of repercussions are low.”

“You are underestimating the danger,” Adam countered. “It is a dangerous plan. Bradenton is likely to call you out.”

It was a distinct possibility, especially for a man who killed in a duel before. He couldn’t let it sway him. “His sister will be ruined if he challenges me. The only way to avoid scandal is to accept what happened.” He hardened his jaw. “Just as I had to do with my father. Bradenton will never harm another person again.”

“I don’t like it…” Adam grunted. “However, I will help if you answer one question. What happens if you are discovered? If the ton finds out you and Lady Sophia have been together, what will you do?”

A surge of unexpected satisfaction blazed within him, along with a single answer.

“I will marry her.”