Page 22 of A Deal with her Forbidden Duke
Madeleine nodded and quickly departed.
Something was happening between the boy and the Duke of Silverton, and Madeleine had a feeling it was a report of a lead.
We agreed to search together, she thought.
She fled outside, and managed to emerge from the house just in time to see the Duke about to climb into his black-painted carriage.
“Your Grace,” she called out, halting his steps.
He lowered himself back to the ground, looking at her over his shoulder. When he saw her hurrying down the steps, onto the driveway, he turned around properly.
Madeleine glanced around them, noting some people milling about, engaged in their conversations.
Still, as soon as she approached the Duke’s carriage, he pulled her behind it, out of sight.
“What are you doing here?” he demanded.
She blanched, offended. “I could ask you the same thing! I had a presentiment you would go looking for my husband without me.”
“And?”
“Andwe agreed to look together!”
“We did no such thing. I said two minds were better than one, but that does not mean you can challenge my methods.”
“You have a lead,” she stated, her voice stubborn and insistent.
He would not push her away this time.
“Perhaps.”
“Take me with you, Your Grace.”
He laughed at her, flat and incredulous. “You presume to give me an order?”
“When it concerns the man I am married to, yes. Should I not be involved, or do you believe that I already know where he is?”
“Doyou?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.”
She stepped closer to him, wishing to be threatening, her voice cutting through the dark, but the Duke had her cornered within another moment.
Her back hit the carriage, and she was grateful for the shadows concealing them.
“Lady Kinsfeld.” His voice was so low it sent a shudder through her. “Yes, I have a lead, but where I am going is no place for you.”
“Surely if a lady cannot go, then a duke should have even less reason to.”
“Lady Kinsfeld…” he paused, swallowing. “I believe it is a place where conversations are had in blows and fists, not words. It is the dregs of London, and should anything happen to you, I would be responsible.”
“I am responsible for myself, Your Grace. Now, I insist you let me accompany you.” She let her mask slip slightly, hoping to win him over with her emotions. “Whoever you will meet might know more about my husband. Do I not deserve to know, too, as soon as you do? I have spent too many nights questioning everything about him to wait a second longer.”
She delicately arched her back, her breath catching when his gaze dropped below, to her mouth, and then further south.
“I would much rather be of use than sit around waiting for everybody else to do something. I am the one affected, not them.”
That was the thing that finally convinced him. The Duke sighed, his breath fanning over her collarbone, and she fought a shiver.His body’s warmth radiated off him, and she ached to be closer to it. Tohim.
