Page 45 of The Wayward Duke
Julian froze, and a memory clicked into place. “I recall it once said by Edgar Kellerman,” he murmured. “He quoted it in an argument. And the smug note reminds me of him.”
Caroline’s brow squeezed. “The financier? Isn’t he quite beloved by the aristocracy?”
Julian brushed his lips below her ear, unable to keep from tasting her. “Not by me. I’ve had words with the man regarding his shady business practices and some venture involving Brazilian exports.” He pressed a kiss on the smooth slope of her shoulder. “I’ll tell Wentworth about the threat. Kellerman stays between us. I want to watch him first. Can’t accuse a man based on a poem and a hunch.”
“Very well.” She took his jaw in her hand. “But only if you let me join in your clandestine stalking.”
“Linnie…”
“Shh.” And then she kissed him, and he forgot all of his protests.
17
Caroline studied her husband’s profile as the carriage rumbled through the lamp-lit streets. Julian was the very picture of elegance – all sharp lines and brooding intensity. Even in partial silhouette, he was striking.
Just looking at that stern mouth made Caroline’s toes curl. He was not so proper when he put that mouth on her.
“You’re staring, my duchess,” Julian murmured, attention still fixed out of the window. Amusement lurked beneath the velvet timbre of his voice.
Emboldened by the dark intimacy of the conveyance, Caroline allowed her gaze to trace the angles of his face, the broad expanse of his shoulders. She felt no shame in looking.
He was all hers.
“And if I am?” she challenged. “Shouldn’t a wife look her fill of her husband?”
One dark brow was arched, though Julian kept his face averted. “My physique is yours to admire as you please.”
“Oh, I fully intend to take advantage of that privilege. Perhaps I’ll sketch you just like this later. Strong jaw clenched in concentration, eyes fixed on the streets ahead. A brooding Byronic hero.”
“Byronic heroes meet rather tragic ends, if I recall their adventures correctly.”
“True, but they enjoy scintillating escapades along the way.”
All too soon, the carriage rolled to a halt at their destination on Threadneedle Street. Caroline straightened, smoothing her expression back to impassivity. Time to don her mask – the polished veneer of the Duchess of Hastings. Charming. Poised. Utterly unruffled.
Julian’s hand engulfed hers, radiating warmth even through two layers of fine kidskin. “Ready?”
At her nod, Julian helped her down to the pavement. Together, they climbed the stone steps of the looming edifice that housed Edgar Kellerman’s offices. Golden light blazed from the windows, almost garish in its opulence.
Inside, the heavy oak door admitted them into a richly appointed antechamber. Crimson walls and dark wainscoting lent the cavernous space an imposing weight. The whole design intended to intimidate.
At their entrance, the clerk behind the mahogany desk in the foyer snapped to attention. “Do you have an appointment?”
With an air of bored impatience, Julian withdrew a calling card from his waistcoat. “Please inform Mr Kellerman the Duke and Duchess of Hastings are here. I believe he’ll make time to receive us.”
The clerk’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “Right away, Your Grace.”
He scurried through a rear door, leaving them alone in the oppressive room. Caroline glanced sidelong at her husband. “You nearly scared that poor man witless with one look.”
“I’m the stoic duke, remember?” Julian murmured.
“Oh, I remember.” She leaned up on her toes, lips grazing his ear. “But not in bed.”
Heat sparked in Julian’s gaze, though his expression remained like granite. “Careful. We’ve business to conclude here, and I’ve yet to have my fill of you this morning.” His voice was silk and smoke, designed to make her squirm.
Caroline forced herself to look away from Julian’s distracting nearness to scan the cavernous antechamber – anything to anchor her thoughts. Vast windows overlooked the bustling London streets, yet no shout or rattle of carriage wheels penetrated the thick glass. Velvet drapes muffled all sounds from outside.
At last, the clerk returned. “Mr Kellerman will see you in his office. If you’ll just come this way.”
