Duchess If You Dare by Anabelle Bryant

Author:Anabelle Bryant [Bryant, Anabelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zebra Books
Published: 2020-12-11T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

Scarlett hurried along the path and up the three marble steps to the outside terrace. Pembroke’s estate was so large she easily accomplished the task of skirting the shadows and returning undetected. Her body still reeled from the emotion in Aylesford’s kiss. Why would she open her heart and invite hurt inside? She couldn’t consider that problem at the moment, her reason to attend this affair far and removed from a romantic interlude. Realigning her purpose, she rounded the corner to approach the doors and nearly collided with a gentleman out alone on the terrace.

“Pardon me, my lord.” Smoothing her syllables, Scarlett offered the stranger a gentle smile and attempted to pass him so she could reenter the ballroom.

“Lady Hammon?”

Scarlett paused. She’d only given her fictitious name to a select few. The gentleman must have sought her out specifically.

“Yes?” A thread of discord rippled through her as she matched the man’s eyes. His were keenly focused on her though they projected malevolence, not pleasure.

Eyes don’t lie.

“I’m Viscount Welles. I was told you were looking for me. Shall we walk for a turn?”

He offered his elbow and she was inclined to accept his escort though she wondered at his intent. “The evening air is cooler than I originally thought and I haven’t brought my wrap with me. Why don’t we return inside and find a private corner?”

“This will only take a moment.” He laid his gloved hand over hers, locking her to his side as he continued to lead them across the terrace. “My words will be brief but meaningful.”

Scarlett swallowed the questions that immediately came to mind, prepared to hear out Lord Welles before she spoke. Anything she might say could inhibit him from offering information leading to Linie’s recovery and the resolution of why girls seemed to go missing at The Scarlet Rose.

“A lovely young lady as yourself must keep busy with social calls and tea parties.”

Scarlett had no desire to discuss minutiae. She remained silent and waited for the gentleman to continue. He paused beside a far balustrade and turned to peer into her face. She could only surmise he meant to speak directly and desired to be out of earshot of the other guests in the ballroom. This would not be a friendly conversation.

She shifted her stance and purposely brushed her fingers to the outside of her leg. She carried two knives this evening. One strapped to her thigh beneath a ridiculous amount of skirts and a small dagger in the reticule that dangled at her wrist. Smaller blades were useful deterrents in crowds. Her long knife, secured above her stocking, was a lightweight yet lethal weapon, which sailed silently through the air when thrown.

“Of course, men have their preoccupations as well. The two domains are distinctive and exclusive.”

He paused as if waiting for her to interject, but Scarlett remained silent.

“It would behoove you to stop asking questions, my dear.” A hard glint showed in his stare. “Talk of brothels and the like is unbecoming. Nothing but malice finds those who don’t mind their own business.

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