Page 112 of Claimed By the Beastly Duke

When the carriage finally pulled to a stop in front of the Earl’s house, Edwin took a deep breath and slowly climbed down.

He maintained a calm exterior, even though his blood was boiling with anger.

He was climbing up the front steps when the door swung open to reveal a smiling Lord Wilbury. The man was slim, a far contrast to Edwin’s muscular build.

Edwin stood outside the door, itching to knock the smile off the man’s face.

Lord Wilbury gave an exaggerated gasp. “What luck have I courted to have the amazing Duke of Gillingham pay me a visit?”

Edwin clenched his fists as he watched the man execute a mock bow.

“Lord Wilbury,” he uttered, taking a deep breath to control himself. He did not trust himself not to tear the man into shreds.

“Now, now, Your Grace,” Lord Wilbury drawled as he stepped right in front of Edwin, that stupid grin still on his face.

Edwin towered well over the man, who was only of middling height. He could even see the crown of his balding head and the last tufts of blond hair.

“Now, see how my title rolls so effortlessly off the Duke’s tongue. I had no idea you knew of my existence, Your Grace.”

Edwin shook his head, annoyed at the man’s theatrics. “I am here to speak with you.”

He simply could not—and would not—exchange pleasantries with the man.

“I must have done something right for a duke to appear on my doorstep—a mere earl,” Lord Wilbury said.

Edwin grimaced. The longer the man spoke, the more his anger grew.

“I am simply here to inform you that I am well aware of what you have done,” he said simply.

Lord Wilbury’s brown eyes lit up. He suddenly looked excited.

“I take it you’ve received my message then?” he asked.

“If you call that a message, then I did receive it.”

“Aaah!” Lord Wilbury waved his hand as he walked away, a glorious smile on his face.

Edwin watched him saunter right back.

“Skippy, he was a jittery one.” Lord Wilbury tutted. “I doubted he would be able to get the job done. But if you are here now, then I suppose he did the job perfectly.”

“I only want to know one thing,” Edwin bit out. “What have I done for you to send someone to my home to attack my wife?”

Lord Wilbury shrugged one shoulder. “It is simple—revenge.”

Revenge?

“I love revenge!” Lord Wilbury declared.

“Revenge for what?” Edwin was curious to know.

Lord Wilbury gasped, as though in shock. “How can you possibly not know? Have I not made it clear enough?”

“I am afraid not,” Edwin said. “I truly have no idea why you would do such a thing.”

Lord Wilbury sighed. “And I used to think dukes were some extraordinary men with great intellect.”

Edwin was even more confused. “You sent a thug after me because you are jealous that I am a duke?”

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