Duke and Duplicity by Emma V Leech

Author:Emma V Leech
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: 0
Published: 2019-02-21T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

“Wherein the duke suffers torment and desire.”

Archie stared at the flames for as long as she dared, long enough to blink the tears away and restore herself somewhere close to calm. Pushing to her feet, she resumed her seat and reached for her glass. She could feel the effect of the whisky already and knew she ought not drink more. It was a bad idea, but her nerves were shot, and her heart was raw. It will be over soon, she assured herself. Once she was far away in the heart of Scotland, she’d be in no danger of crossing his path. The pain of that was a heaviness in her chest, threatening to make her cry again.

Ranleigh was watching her. She could feel the weight of his gaze. Archie looked up, a little disconcerted when the fellow kept staring, and then blushed a little, as if he’d been caught out. She looked away, staring into her drink and then raised her eyes to find he was watching her again, something in his expression she couldn’t read. Caught out once more, Ranleigh looked away from her and cleared his throat.

“I’m sorry,” he said, and she heard the truth in his words, the sincerity. “Sorry that I pushed you. I hope you’ll realise one day that I can be trusted, with anything you want to trust me with. Anything, Archie.” There was something in his tone, something soft and pleading and so damned inviting her throat closed with emotion. “I… I hope that very much, but I ought not to have pressed. Please don’t…. Can we be friends, please? For God’s sake, don’t disappear from my life, I….” He stopped, rubbing the back of his neck and clearing his throat once again. He looked nervous and awkward and….

Archie frowned, perplexed and touched and heart sore.

“Archie, listen to me.” Ranleigh’s words were low, his expression intent. “No matter what your secret is, I will never expose you. I know you don’t believe that, but it’s true. Even if you tell me and I am shocked, horrified, disgusted, any of it—which I promise you I will not be—but even then, I will guard your secret to my grave. I swear, upon my honour. Do you understand? You can trust me, Archie, with anything. Anything at all.”

She stared at him, disconcerted and speechless. Why would he make such a promise, and with such… such emotion? For a moment she could do nothing but stare. Then it dawned on her. The why of it didn’t matter. He’d promised and she believed him. She was safe. Her friends were safe. She could tell him, and it wouldn’t put anyone at risk.

The temptation to just blurt it out, to confess everything, was almost overwhelming. Almost. Just because he wouldn’t tell anyone, that didn’t mean he’d want to know her. It didn’t mean he’d not be shocked, scandalised, or angry at her deception. It certainly didn’t mean he’d fall in love with her and want to be with her.

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