Page 45 of Undercover Duke
“That’s simple,” she said. “You bringhimas your companion next time, not your mother.”
“But what reason can I give to convince him to join me in calling on you?”
“Let me think.” She mused a moment. “I know! You can say you need a companion to distract Mama so you can talk to me in private and pour out your heart to me.”
“That would work.” It would, but he wasn’t sure he liked it. Involving Juncker was unpredictable. The man might treat her ill. Or break her heart. Or lay his hands on her for wicked purposes.
No, he didn’t have to worry about that. Because he refused to leave her alone with the chap.
She cast him a soft smile. “Then, if Mr. Juncker cares for me at all, he will try to take your place and pour out his heart to me himself. And I will know for certain whether he wants me as his wife.”
“And if hedoesn’ttake the bait, you will acknowledge that I’m right about him?”
“Yes.” She stared hard at him. “I merely need to know the truth.”
He could see how she would feel that way, but it annoyed him she was so fixed upon Juncker. The man was a ne’er-do-well, cocky for no reason. She didn’t belong with Juncker. She belonged with—
No, that wasn’t acceptable. Never mind that her sweet side intoxicated him and made him want to claim her as his own. He was not looking for a wife. She might have a generous dowry, but it would never be enough to salvage the Armitage dukedom. And right now, saving the dukedom and figuring out who was behind Father’s murder had to be his whole focus.
But her arm against his felt so right, and her scent of lilies fogged his brain so much that he forgot why he mustn’t marry her. Lost in the glory that was her wearing a flattering gown, he was having trouble concentrating. Now that the moon was rising, lending a romantic glow to the garden, he could too easily imagine her in his bed, those ample breasts freed of constraint, and her curls, as black and shining as his freshly polished top boots, recklessly tumbled across a pillow while he—
Sir Noah and Mother came toward them. God, he hoped darkness and his greatcoat covered his body’s reaction. No man wanted his mother to see him in such a state. He could only pray his desire didn’t show in his face.
But clearly both Mother and Sir Noah were too distracted to notice such things. “Vanessa,” her uncle began as the pair reached them, “I am going to accompany the duchess home in my curricle. I don’t think I can face your mother right now. Tell her I will call on her tomorrow.”
With a scowl, Sheridan stood, then helped Vanessa up. “No need for you to trouble yourself, sir. I will see that my mother gets back to Armitage House myself. Besides, my carriage is a damned sight safer at night than an open curricle.”
“I’ll be fine with Sir Noah,” his mother said. “And didn’t you want more time to visit with Vanessa?”
Vanessa sighed. “Alas, I’m not sure either of you would be welcome inside our house just now. But if I don’t go back, she will stew in her own anger until she takes it out on the servants. So it’s best I return to soothe her temper.”
Mother looked torn. “I’m sorry you got caught in the middle, my dear.”
“I’m not sorry.” Vanessa’s ghost of a smile showed she meant it, too. “You spoke the truth. I can always hope she got a lesson out of it, although knowing Mama, I doubt it.” She looked at Sheridan. “I should go back.”
“I’ll go with you,” Sir Noah said. “But I’m not going in.”
“You’ll leave your niece to bear the brunt of her mother’s anger alone?” Mother surprised Sheridan by saying.
“I suppose that would be unfair.” Sir Noah sighed. “But don’t expect me to like it.”
Then he offered his arm to Vanessa, who glanced at Sheridan. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I’ll be there at the same time I came today,” he answered. Then he watched as Sir Noah and Vanessa headed back to the Pryde abode.
He gestured to his footman waiting on the steps of the Pryde town house, and the servant hurried off to fetch the carriage.
“You’re coming here again tomorrow?” his mother said.
“Yes. I promised Vanessa I’d bring Juncker with me.”
“So you and Vanessa can make him jealous.”
“Exactly.” But it wasn’t something he was looking forward to. And hestillhadn’t found out what he wanted to know from Lady Eustace.
“That woman is not interested in Mr. Juncker, you know. She wantsyou.”
He shook his head at her. “You just think she does because you can’t imagine her wanting anyone other than your son.”
