Page 9 of Good Duke Gone Far

“When I’m not,” he waved an arm toward her, “Colonel-ing…I have my business to take care of.”

“Your business?”

“Yes. Mine.”

“I see.”

Kat laid out her choices. Option one: Share her business in exchange for hearing about his business. Option two: Do not share her business and do not learn about his business.

There were other options, but that was as far as she got. It was easiest to give a little in order to gain a little.

“I’m off to Scotland,” she gave.

“My business is in London.”

“I’m going to find a duke.” She leaned toward him ever so slightly.

“I’m good at finding people.” He countered and mirrored her lean.

“He proposed to my sister.” Kat rested her forearms on her thighs.

The Colonel did the same. “The people I find have done all sorts of things. Why is it so crazy he proposed to your sister?”

Kat’s forearms found her knees, and she said in a hushed tone, “We don’t know who he is or why he proposed. Charlotte doesn’t even know his name.”

“I can make people talk.”

“I bet you can,” Kat whispered.

Their foreheads were nearly touching now. An inhale. An exhale. Kat’s eye twitched.

It was too close. She could practically taste his sweetness. She flung herself back against the seat.

“The rain has probably stopped. We can both be on our way now.”

Kat had to wiggle past the broad legs blocking her way in order to open the door.

The rain had most certainly not stopped. And to fan the already reckless flames, it had been paired with darkness.

***

“BLOODY HELL,” A HARSH curse exploded off his lips. Darkness. Just what he didn’t need. To be alone with this woman in a confined space in the dark. Indefinitely.

Well, the definite end was in sight. At first light. The second the sun reached up even one faint and skinny ray, they were riding back to Goodgreen Hall.

“Alright, this is the new plan. We can’t go out in this downpour and risk your health.”

“My health? What about your health?”

He tilted his head in answer. “As I was saying, we wait here until daybreak. The second before the sun is up, we’re heading back.”

“Alright.”

“Alright?”

“I said yes, didn’t I?”

“It can’t be that easy.”

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