Page 69 of Her Wicked Duke
“Alexander,” Christian said quietly, “it might be in our best interests to remove Anne from the duel scene, and also ourselves.”
“And your reason for the duel? What about that?”
Christian raised an eyebrow at him. “The choice remains yours.”
Anne turned toward Alexander, gripping his hand.
In the distance, the sound of a pistol rang out, and Anne gasped, whipping around as Patrick cried out and fell to the ground.
Alexander cupped her face, keeping her focus on him. “Let us return to Angleton,” he said to her. “I would like to talk with your father.”
Anne was skeptical as she slowly registered his meaning. But then, her grip on his hand tightened as they all gathered their horses and witnesses, and began the journey back into town.
Patrick Leeds was shot fatally during the pursuit by the constables. Anne read it in the headlines the following day. His true identity as her stalker was revealed, and soon, whispers swept through the ton, making her the center of gossip once again.
Except, this time, they said that the rumors about her entanglement with the Duke had been caused by Patrick’s jealousy. Most of her friends never owned up to starting the rumors nor apologized. Anne tried not to take it too harshly.
Although, she did receive a letter from Georgia confessing to her part in spreading the rumors and asking if they could meet soon, as Georgia had wonderful news regarding the Earl of Marston.
Anne thought she would also have similar news to share regarding the Duke of Winsor.
Of all the women, Anne had been closer to Georgia, while Jocelyn and Clarice, two years older than them, had been closer to each other despite the four of them having once made a good foursome.
She missed her friends deeply.
Anne loved being a sociable woman. To have missed that recently, for things so petty and tainted with horrible gossip, made her heart ache. After she read Georgia’s letter, she called on Alexander to take her to her friend’s house.
Since the duel, things had been easier between them. Anne had asked to see his sketchbook again. He had promised soon, but not yet. There were things he needed to talk to her about, but that would come with time.
He turned up within the hour to chaperone her to Georgia’s house, a devastating crooked smile on his face as he waited in the doorway.
“Shall we?”
His carriage waited behind him, ready to take her to start fixing the aspects of her life that had fallen apart recently—Alexander, her friends, the scandal, Patrick.
Later, she would see her sister to see how she was truly faring after what had happened. So far, Mary had insisted she was fine, but Anne didn’t believe her truly.
“Not a word,” Anne warned, scowling.
“I wasn’t going to say anything,” Alexander protested innocently, but his growing smirk said otherwise.
“You don’t like my friends,” she muttered. “You said this was exactly what they would do.”
“All I’m wondering is if she truly deserves another chance.”
“Of course, she does.” Anne paused, halfway into the carriage. “Doesn’t she?”
Alexander kissed her knuckles, oddly soft, as he had been since the duel. His own knuckles still held the bruises and scrapes from his fight with Patrick.
“My only thought is that you are too kind and forgiving to these people.”
“Just one person,” Anne said. “Just… her. I want to hear what she has to say.”
“I won’t stop you,” Alexander promised. They both sat down, and he closed the carriage door behind him. “However, I will watch her like a hawk and let her know that she should be grateful to be granted this second chance.”
Anne smiled and accepted his kiss as he drew the curtain over the carriage window.
Georgia’s parents were polite to Anne as they greeted her, despite looking away when they spotted the Duke of Winsor looming behind her.
