Page 107 of Dukes Are Forever
She looked utterly ravishing in a raspberry pink gown that sat just off her shoulders and displayed her full curves to best advantage. Tendrils of hair hung from her elegant chignon and brushed against her collarbone, where her favorite pearls gleamed.
"I'm saving my diamonds for you," she'd whispered as he handed her up into the carriage, and he'd spent the entire carriage ride trying not to think about her in just those diamonds.
Keeping his hands off her was becoming more and more difficult with each passing hour.
Someone coughed discreetly at his side. "You're staring. And the lady is spoken for, I believe. You don't want to earn the wrath of her husband, as I'm told he's a cold, vicious bastard."
Malloryn glanced at Lord Barrons as his oldest friend paused at his side. They'd gone through Eton together, fought duels side by side, and wooed many a young woman in the Echelon before a minor argument had parted them for several years.
They'd managed to set aside their differences during the revolution. And then Barrons had played an integral part in his rescue from Russia.
The fact that so many people had risked their lives to save his still left him reeling at times.
"Barrons. Lady Haynes's standards must be slipping. I didn't realize she'd invited the riffraff."
"Oh, it's you," Barrons said, in mock surprise. A ruby earring winked in his ear. "From the way you were perusing your wife as if she were something to be consumed, I didn't quite recognize you."
"Bugger off," Malloryn replied, scanning the room for signs of Gemma and Obsidian. He'd set them to keep an eye out for Thomas Mowbray. "Haven't you got anything more important to do? Where's your wife?"
"Eviscerating Lord Carlyle. It was embarrassing to watch."
Mina did have that way about her.
"So what brings you out of your dark little hidey hole?" Barrons asked.
Malloryn paused, glancing around. Both Barrons and Mina were on the Council of Dukes who helped rule the city. They'd be mostly up-to-date with the situation. "I'm setting a trap."
"For?"
"Sir George," he murmured.
Barrons's eyebrows rose. "As in, Hamilton? Your father-in-law?"
Malloryn discreetly turned away from the ballroom. "It appears Sir George has been up to no good."
"Thoseold friendsof yours?" Barrons murmured.
"Yes."
"There you are," Adele said, appearing at his side and rapping his arm with her fan. "You were supposed to wait for me."
"We were just talking about you," Barrons said, a teasing twinkle in his eye. "You look utterly captivating tonight, Duchess."
"Thank you, Lord Barrons." Adele seemed a trifle disconcerted by the compliment.
"Don't you agree, Malloryn?"
"Adele knows how lovely she is," he murmured.
"Yes, but I'll give you a word of advice from an old married man: It never hurts to remind them."
The last thing he wanted to do was betray his growing feelings for his wife in public. Too many eyes were watching them. One hint that the Duke and Duchess of Malloryn were no longer entirely at odds, and he might condemn her to a dangerous fate. It was one thing to know she was working for him, but Balfour's spies would be watching for any sign of weakness in him.
"I'll consider your advice," he replied, hoping she'd understand. "Right now, I need to keep an eye out for Mowbray."
Adele startled.
"Barrons is aware of what's going on," he told her, just as a familiar face caught his eye.
