A Deal with a Devilish Duke: A Steamy Marriage of Convenience Historical Regency Romance Novel (The Rules of Scandal Book 1) by Tessa Brookman

Author:Tessa Brookman [Brookman, Tessa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Grove Chronicles
Published: 2023-07-20T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

Rain soaked Ethan’s frock coat as he exited the gated castle. He felt suffocated inside, and he needed to leave. His slicked-back hair was now disheveled and falling over his face messily, the black locks sticking to his forehead. He slid his hand into his pocket, his soaked fingers brushing against the crumpled vellum of Meredith’s note.

The mere thought of her seized his muscles with an icy grip, guilt stabbing at his conscience over and over. He had not intended to wound her so deeply. Only moments later did he realize how hurtful his words would have sounded to hear to anyone, let alone to a woman like Meredith, who seemed lost in her own world of romance and love.

“You’re a veritable fool,” he muttered to himself.

Why the devil do I care? We are to part soon anyways, and I won’t be seeing her again. Oh, for heaven’s sake.

His jaw set tightly, and his boots rooted to the cobblestones as he came to a sudden stop. He chuckled to himself in disbelief as he realized the implications. Yes, he felt guilty. Yes, he had been a blackguard. And yes, they would separate very soon. But he couldn’t stop himself. Over the past week, he found himself irresistibly drawn to her, unable to tear his gaze away whenever she was near. He was drawn to her silly little quirks, her passion for scandalous books, and her citrus scent that seemed to permeate his every thought. She was driving him mad.

Ever since their wedding night, he'd yearned to explore the soft allure of her form, from her full lips that perpetually beckoned, to the tantalizing length of her pale legs that he'd only seen once.

Blast the minx for tempting me. And damn me for wanting to see her.

He couldn’t resist. The image of her being disappointed and hurt was burned in his mind, and he knew he needed to make things right. Knowing he would be the cause of that smile would bring him so much joy.

“Regardless of how little time we have left together, I’ll be damned if I don’t make this next week the best of her life,” he muttered.

Whirling around, he threaded his way back over the garden shrubbery to avoid the risk of slipping on the slick garden walk. As he neared the entrance doors, he thrust them open forcefully. Perplexed housemaids stole glances, but he paid them little mind.

He raced up the imperial staircase, his grip on the railing whitening his knuckles as he strode purposefully in search of his wife, oblivious to his surroundings. He collided with his butler who promptly offered an apologetic bow.

“Ah, Stanley,” he stammered, his voice wavering, partially from the chill of the rain and partially from desperation. “Have you seen my wife? She seems to have…eluded me.”

Stanley stared at him with raised brows, but then quickly recovered. “I believe she retired to her chambers for the night, Your Grace.”

"Good man,” Ethan said with a curt nod. He continued along the hallway, his Hessians thudding against the floor as he hastened.

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