Page 15

ESCAPING THE DUKE 2

Dear Your Grace,

Congratulations on yet another success. Respectfully, I must decline your request to share my identity. For reasons I cannot divulge, it is best I remain in the shadows. And if you are keeping count, you have inquired 1,842,843 times.

I do wish to thank you for your earlier recommendation on visiting the new exhibit at the museum. It was as fascinating as you said it would be.

Yours,

Lord P

Where was she going?

Edmund narrowed his eyes as Lady Priscilla slunk from the ballroom, in the opposite direction of any room opened to guests. Her movements were casual, yet measured. Was she meeting someone?

The thought brought an unexpected surge of displeasure. She was on his list of potential duchesses, and her mysterious behavior during their brief interaction made him want to discover more. It would not do for her to find someone else before he had a chance to explore the possibilities. By her surreptitious movements, she wanted to be unnoticed. He stood up straighter…

And followed.

It took but a minute to realize she was following someone herself, trailing a person too far in the distance for him to recognize. His curiosity grew as they travelled through a cavernous hallway lit by few candles, creeping down the darkened interior, slipping past doors, descending deeper into the private areas of the home. Finally, she turned…

And slipped outside.

He frowned as he strode forward. Whomever she was chasing, she entered danger, for any woman alone could be subject to scandal, or worse, an event unsavory enough to cause it. He pushed the wide door open, wincing as it creaked. He hoped to wield an element of surprise, yet it didn’t truly matter.

He wouldn’t allow her to escape.

He entered a lush, emerald world lit by a brilliant full moon and twinkling lanterns. Lord Roxbury liked to spend money, and it showed in a garden rife with exotic plants. A thousand scents surrounded him, from roses, gardenias and an array of colorful flora. Rumors were Roxbury had a whole collection of towering statues, most depicting nude subjects, but none were visible here.

Lady Priscilla was nowhere to be seen.

But she was here. Hushed breathing broke the silence, low, shallow and fast. Had she heard him, realized she was being followed? He crept through towering vines and around hedges, following the sound of the breathing.

Her form became visible through a green screen of leaves. Victory surged as he blocked the exit to her hiding place, cutting off any and all escape.

“You’ve been captured.”

A gasp sounded.

He walked around the wall of green. Lady Priscilla was folded against the leaves, her chest rising and falling, a look of almost panic on her face. Then she saw him, and clear relief transformed her expression.

“Were you expecting someone else?”

She tensed again.

Her discomfort bothered him, yet he wouldn’t show it. He had to impart the danger of her ill-begotten wandering and ensure she never did it again. “What are you doing out here by yourself?”

Her eyes darted to the shrubs on either side of her. Was she looking for whomever she had followed? She notched up her chin. “I have an explanation.”

His admiration for her rose, yet he kept his voice serious, firm. “I should hope so. Do you have any idea of the danger you are in? Lord Roxbury is not one to trifle with. If he caught you, he’d–” He stopped abruptly, his jaw tightening. “Let’s just say it is fortunate I found you first. Why were you hiding from me?”

“I wasn’t hiding.”

“You were pressed against the hedge,” he pointed out. “Hiding.”

“No.” She shook her head. “I was simply… relaxing.”

He just managed to thwart the smile. It was an unusual feeling. “Relaxing?”

“That’s right.”

“Try again.” He stood up taller, gave her the look that he usually reserved for political opponents.

“It’s true.” She nodded. “But obviously this was a mistake. I never meant to come here.”

“Where did you intend to go?”

“I– I got lost on my way to the ladies’ retiring room!”

He gave her an incredulous look. “You mistook the gardens for the ladies’ retiring room?” He gestured to her hiding spot. “Was the entrance to the cloakroom behind that hedge?”

She blushed. “Of course not.” She edged forward, accidentally brushed against him.

Attraction surged within him.

She felt it, too, as fire blazed in her emerald eyes. For one brief instant, the urge to push forward surged, but she was an innocent, and he was a gentleman. So he steeled himself and remained where he was. She tried to move forward again.

Again he stayed still.

As a gentleman, he should have moved aside and allowed her to leave. Yet she was clearly hiding something, and the thought of it involving danger compelled him to learn more.

She clenched her fists. “Obviously I did not believe this was the ladies’ retiring room. I must have missed it in the hallway, and I thought the gardens would provide a quicker path back.”

She was lying. Even if he didn’t know she’d been following someone, it was obvious. Her expression was convincing, yet returning through the hallways would clearly have been the swiftest way back. “Then why did you enter the maze?”

“This is a maze?” She blinked. “I mean, of course it is.” She smiled. “I thought it might be interesting. I enjoy gardens.”

“Truly?” He folded his arms across his chest. “What do you like best about them?”

This time she had a reply ready. “The statues, of course.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You know about Roxbury’s statues?”

“Of course.” She looked around, stopped and pointed to a statue peeking through the leaves. “I particularly enjoyed that one. It was so realistic. I could just spend hours looking at every detail.”

“Really?” If it was the type of statue Roxbury had, Edmund very much doubted she was telling the truth. He walked back to the edge of the hedges until the statue came into view, with her following close behind.

He froze.

And she whispered, “Oh, bollocks.”

Literally.

It was a statue of the human form, only with the head and most of the limbs missing. What mainly remained was the torso and… what she said.

Their gazes met.

She opened her mouth.

Nothing came out.

His lips twitched.

“I think…” She took a step back.

“Your Grace…” She took another step.

“That it is quite…” She fluttered her eyelashes up and down.

“Something.”

He coughed.

She squeezed her eyes shut. Opened them, and rushed out, “Thank you for your concern. I better go!”

She took a step.

He matched it.

She moved to the side.

He blocked her.

“What are you doing?” she hissed.

“Discovering what you’re doing.” He straightened to his full height. The difference in their sizes was considerable, yet she held her petite form with strength. “We need to talk.”

“We don’t need to talk,” she ground out. “I’m sorry for inconveniencing you, but I would like very much to leave right now. Please move aside.”

He moved forward into the intoxicating scent of gardenias. “As a gentleman, I am required to help all ladies in need. If you are having a problem, I would like to help you.”

“I appreciate the chivalry,” she said tightly. “But it is completely unnecessary. As you can see, I was alone and not in any peril.”

“I am more interested in your purpose.” He edged closer, flexing his muscles. “Why are you really here, Lady Priscilla? Were you meeting someone?”

“Absolutely not!” Her vehemence took him by surprise. It seemed the obvious motivation since she had followed an unknown figure, yet she’d reacted quickly, and genuinely. For now, he would not reveal what he knew.

“I was hiding because I figured you were Roxbury and didn’t want him getting the wrong idea. I was going to hide until he left.”

That did make sense and explained the relief in her eyes. Roxbury was a brute, who would have no qualms about taking advantage of a vulnerable lady. The thought of him touching her sparked something inside him. “I may not know the truth – yet – but you were neither lost nor resting. No matter the reason, you will not do it again. You do not know Roxbury like I do. Do not wander again on his estate, or anyone else’s.”

She straightened, pure feminine power. “You’re the one stopping me from returning to the party. For the final time, let me pass.” She took a step forward. If he didn’t retreat, she would crash directly into him.

“I will discover the truth.”

She stopped, looked at him sharply. He allowed triumph to color his gaze. She had all but confirmed his suspicions.

“The only truth is I am leaving. Good–”

“Agnes, where are you?” A booming voice carried across the gardens. “Agnes!”

Edmund recognized the low and gravelly voice at once, and judging by Priscilla’s response, so did she.

“Agnes!” The voice came once more, louder, closer.

“It’s Roxbury,” he whispered.

“He can’t catch us here!” she hissed.

“On this, we agree.”

If they were found together, scandal would occur. Then the inevitable:

Betrothal.

“We need to hide!” Her voice was low, yet frantic, and shattered any thought she had arranged any sort of entrapment.

He looked around, yet there was nowhere to go. Roxbury would see them if they tried to leave. Even if he revealed himself, the lord may still discover Priscilla. He would not take that chance.

He immediately took control, gently but firmly propelling her against the wall of leaves as far from the entrance as possible. He moved next to her, inadvertently brushing against her.

He could not miss her harsh intake of breath.

Roxbury stomped through the ground, louder, louder, louder. He was almost upon them…

“What are you doing out here?” Lady Roxbury’s shrill voice pierced the air. “You should be at the party.”

“I can’t be at the party without you,” Lord Roxbury growled. “Everyone will notice you missing. What should I tell them?”

“Tell them you had the audacity to invite your mistress to your ball!”

“I told you I didn’t invite her. She just showed up!”

“Do you think that makes it better?” she huffed. “I’m staying out here until the party is over.”

The footsteps sounded again. They were coming closer!

He should have been furious, when after years of matchmaking attempts, he was inches away from the parson’s noose. Yet the pungent suffocation of entrapment was shockingly absent. Moments from a forced betrothal, he was uncharacteristically calm, satisfied even.

Of course, it was simply because Priscilla was on his list, so he already knew she would make a perfectly suitable duchess.

And if it felt like something more, he would ignore it.

Flushed, visibly frightened, she clearly felt different. Yet she was fighting fate with weapons she didn’t possess. If they were caught, she would not have a choice for her future. If they were not caught…

She may still not have a choice.

Priscilla paled. She spoke lowly, so only he would hear. “Do not announce a betrothal! We’ll explain instead.”

He stared at her. “You can’t be serious.”

“We’ll tell them I got lost on the way to the retiring room, and you found me!”

He showed her the full force of his disapproval. “Do you think I’m the sort of man who would allow a lady to face ruin alone?”

Angry voices sounded again, closer this time.

Priscilla’s breaths came quickly, shallow. “But you haven’t compromised me. We haven’t done anything wrong.”

Edmund shook his head. “They’re not going to believe that any more than they’ll believe I just stumbled upon you.”

She gaped at him. “You were following me?”

“I noticed you leaving the ball and wondered where you were going. If they discover us, they’ll immediately assume we snuck off together. The outcome will be set.”

“But nothing happened.” She wrung her hands. “Once you claim we’re together, there will be no turning back. Somehow I’ll find a way to avoid ruination and betrothal. Let me handle it. Everything will be fine.”

“It will be fine because I will control the situation.”

“I will not be forced into a match when we didn’t do anything!”

And he would not allow her to accept ruination alone.

She opened her mouth, yet no words emerged. Then it was too late.

The bottom of Lady Roxbury’s dress became visible at the end of the green corridor. Priscilla gave a sharp intake of breath, thankfully at the same time Lord Roxbury spoke. Her chest rose and fell far too rapidly.

If she didn’t calm down, she would give them away. Moving on instinct, he pulled her near, capturing her tight against him.

He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “All will be well. No matter what, I will take care of you.”

Her eyes widened. If the Roxburys caught them, it wouldn’t matter whether they were touching or not, the end would be the same.

The dress remained visible, but the Roxburys didn’t move closer as they argued.

“That’s it,” Lady Roxbury screeched. “You go back to the party. I’ll be looking at your disgusting statues!”

She started to move into the opening…

“Wait!” Lord Roxbury growled. “What about that ruby necklace you were eyeing at the jeweler?”

For a moment there was silence. “The one with all the diamonds?”

Lord Roxbury groaned. “Yes, the one with all the diamonds. Would that placate you enough to return to the party?”

Lady Roxbury sniffed. Yet a moment later, the edge of her dress disappeared from view. “Fine. But get rid of the whore.”

“Do not worry. I will make sure she never bothers anyone again.”

Edmund looked at Lady Priscilla. She looked sickened.

“Now let’s get back. My friends must be frantic with worry over my absence.”

Heavy footsteps reverberated through the air, then the door back to the home creaked open. A second later, it slammed shut.

An instant from ruin, they had been spared.

“We’re safe.” Priscilla whispered.

He said nothing. She didn’t realize she wasn’t quite safe from him.

“They didn’t discover us, but we’ll be missed if we don’t return to the ball as soon as possible,” he pointed out.

“Of course.”

He gently grasped her arm as he brought her out of the hiding spot. She stared at him warily, yet a spark of defiance lit those beautiful eyes. The duke’s daughter had far more fire than she let on.

He couldn’t wait to uncover what else she hid.

“Are you all right?”

She smoothed down her dress, stood taller. “Yes, thank you.”

He waited for more, but she stayed silent. If she wasn’t going to mention the incident, neither would he, yet he would not forget about it. Just like he hadn’t forgotten the mystery of her wanderings.

Despite her denials, the only logical explanation was she was meeting someone. But whom? A suitor? Annoyance raced through his blood. “Do you realize how dangerous it is to sneak off to meet a man?”

Her eyes flashed. “I told you before – I was not here to meet a man.”

True, yet there was no other logical explanation.

“Suitors can be persuasive, yet hidden agendas often lurk beneath innocent facades. If another man had been here, the outcome might have been very different.”

Likely the suitor had hoped to be discovered.

Priscilla looked like she had sucked on a lemon. It was strangely endearing. “You could not possibly be more wrong. As I said before, I thought–”

“This was the way to the ladies’ retiring room.” He leaned in. “We both know you are far smarter than that, Lady Priscilla.”

She narrowed her eyes before straightening. “While I appreciate your discretion today, you have no right to dictate my actions. I am not one of your subjects. I will do as I wish with whomever I choose. Now I must return to the party.”

“What do you think your father would say if he learned of this?”

She blanched. “You wouldn’t.”

“I take my role as a duke very seriously. If a lady is putting herself in danger, I have no choice but to take action.”

“How dare you! After all the times we’ve–” She stopped abruptly.

He opened his mouth to retort, stopped. She no longer appeared angry – she seemed positively panicked. Her words indicated some sort of shared experience, experiences , yet except for the occasional greeting, they’d barely spoken a word. “After all the times we’ve…” he prompted.

She smiled. “You’re right, Your Grace. I shouldn’t have strayed so far from the party. I promise to be more careful next time. Now I really must get back. You don’t want someone finding us here, of course.”

He should’ve agreed immediately, yet instead he merely raised an eyebrow.

She licked plump lips. “Yes, well, let’s just forget this ever happened, shall we? I am going to leave now. If you could wait a few moments before following, I would be eternally grateful.”

He hesitated, but then gave a curt nod. He would not find answers now. But he would find them.

With one last look, she turned, then started to walk away. Yet he didn’t miss the tint of regret as she glanced around the garden. His suspicion returned full force. Priscilla Livingston was definitely hiding something.

He wouldn’t stop until he discovered what it was.