Page 556 of From Rakes to Riches

“Are you quite alright?” Lady Artemis asked in mild alarm.

Gemma swallowed. “Erm, yes.”

That seemed to appease the lady. “Any man who thinks you a lad lacks fundamental powers of observation.”

“Plenty of them around, I can assure you,” said Gemma, only just recovering her ability to speak.

This got a breezy laugh from Lady Artemis. “I can assure you my brother isn’t one of them, which is why I thought you should know.”

If only Lady Artemis had thought to warn her three days ago, the night in Rakesley’s bedroom could’ve been avoided. Except…

Certain parts of her had no interest in having avoided that night.

In fact, if those parts of her had their way, they would have another night just like it.

“Anyway,” continued Lady Artemis, “you’ll want to tell him that you know he knows and get it out of the way.”

“Ah.”

Two riders appeared in the distance. The lead rider was a woman dressed in pale coral with a single feather in her cap that rippled in the breeze. Even from the distance of a hundred yards, Gemma could discern a few facts about the woman. She was a lady—and she was a beauty.

As for the other rider…

Gemma would know him anywhere.

Rakesley.

What a dashing figure he cut astride a horse. More than one lady in London must’ve swooned at the sight of this duke enjoying a morning’s ride on Rotten Row. Black, wind-tossed hair. The hard angles of his face kissed by the sun.

All magnificent duke.

All devastating man.

Her gaze found his firm mouth.

That mouth had kissed her…suckled her breasts…whispered dirty little nothings into her ear…

And his hands with their long, capable fingers…

They’d touched her…every part of her…

Which was why she’d avoided him like the plague these last three days.

This man—thisduke—held an undeniable power over her.

Lady Artemis held one hand to her mouth and gave an effusive shout of greeting as she waved broadly with her other arm. The distant lady offered a small, feminine wave, and Rakesley merely rode on. He wasn’t the sort to give effusive shouts or waves of greeting.

A few seconds later, they’d drawn to a stop beside the other horses where Cal waited. Rakesley swung his leg over his saddle and then jumped to the ground, while the lady made no similar move. She was patiently waiting for assistance.

It only occurred to Gemma that Gem the lad should’ve rushed forward to assist the lady, but the lady looked too expensive to touch with her grimy hands.

Another observation struck Gemma as the lady’s dainty feet landed on the ground. This expensive-looking lady and the Duke of Rakesley perfectly complemented one another in both looks and aristocratic bearing.

The observation made Gemma a little sick to her stomach.

As she took in her surroundings, the lady’s gaze swiped across Gemma as if she were a bland bit of scenery and landed on Lady Artemis. Rakesley—Rake, he’d asked her to call him only three days ago—introduced the lady as the Duchess of Acaster.Celia, the duchess insisted on being called amongst friends.

Gemma suspectedCeliawouldn’t like it one bit if she heard Gemma take the liberty of addressing Rakesley asRake…amongst friends.

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