Every Duke Has His Price (Dukes in Danger Book 5) by Emily E K Murdoch

Author:Emily E K Murdoch [Murdoch, Emily E K]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2023-08-03T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

October 5, 1810

Hugh gritted his teeth. “Absolutely not.”

The woman was insufferable! Every time he thought he could feel nothing but admiration and adoration for her—

“You know, I’m hearing that a lot at the moment,” said Beth sweetly. “And yet, you know, I don’t recall asking for your opinion?”

Hugh’s jaw was starting to ache. “I just think—”

“I did not ask for your opinion, or what you think, or anything like that,” Beth said decidedly, jutting out her chin. “And that’s final.”

“Lord’s sake, woman!” Hugh exploded, turning away and bringing his hands to his head.

What on earth had he done in life to deserve this? Stick him with a woman, fine. A woman with money, a woman who could take him home. Perfect. So why did she have to be such a…so incredibly…

Hugh tried to take a deep breath and not to look to his left, where he would see what had precipitated the argument in the first place.

It was a mistake. Worse, it could be a deadly mistake. The very last thing they should do is what Beth Mead had just suggested, and it was maddening she could not see that!

So instead, they were standing here in a lane, about a mile from where she wanted to go, arguing about it.

Hugh’s chest was tight, every breath a struggle. When they had arrived here in this little town late last night, he had thought their luck had finally been turning. There had been chatter at the inn about Englishmen taken prisoner. Beth’s ears had pricked up and before he could stop her, she had barreled off to speak to them.

Even then, he hadn’t thought she would be this foolish.

“Beth, I think you need to slow down,” Hugh said in as calm a voice as possible, turning back to her. His stomach lurched. Why were the irritating ones always the pretty ones? “If you even think about going over there—”

“I didn’t ask you!” Beth said haughtily. “I do not require you to come with me—”

“If you think I am just going to watch you march over there, to a French encampment of soldiers, then you don’t know me at all!” Hugh said tersely.

His heart ached at the very thought. Dear God, the danger she would be in!

Despite himself, Hugh could not prevent his gaze shifting to the field in question. There, high on the hill, flags flying, was a mass of blue and white uniforms. Tents, the smoke of fires, and just out of hearing but somehow felt through the body, the steady beat of a drum.

Hugh swallowed. It was infuriating. Yes, fine, there was a possibility Matthew Mead was one of the unfortunate men taken prisoner over there.

He shivered. Poor devil.

But that did not mean his sister could just—

“I’ll pay you.”

Hugh blinked. Beth came into focus, her expression desperate, fingers scrabbling down the front of her corset.

“Oh, hang on,” he said weakly.

“You’ll need money won’t you, when we get back to England?” Beth said, her voice tight with panic. “I can give you money—”

“My opinions cannot be bought,” Hugh muttered.

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