Page 20 of A Bride for the Cruel Duke

Roderick’s face fell. “Yes, a good idea, I think.” He glanced at the family and his lip curled. “Urgh, I envy you, you know. Being single, not having to worry withthat...” He shuddered. “Enjoy it while you can, old friend.”

“I intend to.”

Anthony left Roderick standing there, walking quickly past the bickering family with his head down, determined not to be seen by them. Despite his best efforts, he dared a glance, finding Lady Caroline Hawkins’ eyes following him. They met and their stare held, his felt a lump appear in his throat and his stomach twisted down toward his crotch...

A shake of the head and he looked away, still aware of her eyes on the back of his head, hoping that all she was thinking was how glad she was to see the back of him.Better that I keep my distance from her as best I can. For both of our sakes, I would think.

ChapterSeven

Anthony had only just removed his shirt when he heard a knock at the door. He groaned at the sound, certain it would be one of the members of staff coming to check that he had everything he needed. It was for that reason that he did not bother putting his shirt back on, striding across the room and throwing the door open with a sense of anger instead.

“What?” he snapped.

“Oh!” It was Lady Caroline Hawkins. Her eyes widened to see him standing there, her mouth dropped open. And she took a hesitant step back. “I am sorry. I did not... I did not mean...” Her eyes drifted down his front, her mouth somehow opening further, and then she swallowed. “I can come back.”

“Lady Caroline?” Anthony was certain he was seeing things. He had to be!Even she would not be such a fool to come and see me alone in my room.“What on earth are you doing here?”

“I was hoping we could...” She swallowed again, her eyes drifting before she forced them back up. “That we might talk?”

“Now?”

“It will only take a moment.”

Anthony rubbed his eyes with his spare hand. His first thought was to deny her and slam the door in her face. If she was caught lingering outside his doorway in the middle of the night like this... he shuddered to imagine the consequences.

The only reason he did not slam the door and be done with it was because, before he got the chance, he thought he heard a noise. Footsteps, coming from down the hallway.

“Quickly!” Without waiting for her to respond, Anthony grabbed the woman by the arm and wrenched her through the doorway, slamming it closed behind them.

“Oh!” she yelped as he threw her. She stumbled, catching her footing halfway across the room. “What was that?”

“Are you insane?” He turned on her, wanting nothing more than to shout her down, but forced to keep his voice low so that he would not be heard. “Coming here like this! What if you had been seen?”

“I...” She blinked stupidly, as if the thought had not even occurred to her. “My sisters have retired for the evening. There is nobody to see us.”

“And the members of staff? What of them?”

“Oh...” She blinked again. “I was careful.”

“Careful!” he cried, wringing his hands before his face. “Careful would have been to stay in your room. This is not careful, Lady Caroline. This is foolish.”

She grimaced and looked away, her cheeks flushing red as she began to fiddle with her hands. “I suppose I was not thinking.”

“No,” he agreed. “You were not.”

This was the exact opposite of what Anthony had wanted. Determined to avoid Lady Caroline for the rest of the weekend, somehow, he had found himself alone with her once more. It did not help that he was half-dressed, and she could not stop glancing at his naked torso. And it did not help that she was dressed in a linen slip which...

...Anthony’s eyes drifted before he could help himself. The piece of cloth was white and translucent, hanging loosely about her bodice as if it was a size too big.

Her breasts were even larger than he had thought, perky and full, her nipples poking out clearly so that he could not stop himself from gaping. He felt his mouth beginning to salivate. He felt his blood beginning to surge. Sweat formed on his palms, and all he wanted to do was cross the room, take her by the arms and?—

“What are you doing here?” he blurted, turning his head away, and then his body. She stood halfway across the room, and he was determined to keep it that way. “What could not wait until morning?”

“Yes!” she cried, excited it seemed to be given a reason to break the tension. “I am pleased to announce that I have already come up with a list of names which I think will please you.”

“Names?” He snapped his head up, and frowned. “Names for what?”

She blinked. “A bride, Your Grace. You asked me to find you a bride this weekend, and although the weekend has not yet begun, I have endeavored to do exactly as you asked me. My sister, Aurelia, is the one to thank, as she knows most women attending. I told her what you requested, and she was eager to supply with me the name of every young lady who is coming this weekend and is known to be searching for a husband.”

---