Forever My Duke by Drake Olivia

Author:Drake, Olivia
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group
Published: 2019-12-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Noting the dangerous flash of those gorgeous green eyes, Hadrian caught hold of Natalie’s arm and hustled her out of the study before his stated intent could sink fully into her consciousness. His family wore wide-eyed expressions that ranged from shocked to scandalized, but he didn’t give a damn what they thought. He cared only about Natalie’s reaction.

The explosion came almost at once.

The instant the door closed behind them, she jerked herself free and spun to face him. “How dare you presume to speak for me! I most certainly am not going to London with you. I wouldn’t suffer your company long enough to walk with you to the end of this corridor. Good-bye—and good riddance!”

The finality of her tone struck him deeply, as did the contempt on her face. It was a stark contrast to the way she’d regarded him the previous night, with softness in her eyes and a warm smile on her lips. His chest squeezed with the fear that she might never again look at him that way. Had he pushed matters too far just now?

She had to be made to understand the necessity of what he had done. That he wanted to protect her and Leo, to keep them safe under his care.

As she set off at a brisk stride down the echoing passageway, Hadrian paced at her side. “If you’ll slow down and listen, Natalie, I can explain—”

“It’s Miss Fanshawe to you. And I’ve done quite enough listening to people I cannot trust. Go back to that nest of vipers where you belong.”

“For pity’s sake, you’ve misread my purpose. What I said in there, about Godwin having no obligation toward Leo, was merely a contrivance to get the two of you out of this house.”

“Well, congratulations, then. You’ve succeeded quite admirably. We will be departing for Southampton at once.”

“And by what means will you travel there?”

She looked nonplussed for a moment, then tossed up her chin. “We’ll walk to the village. There must be a posting inn. I’m sure I can arrange some form of transportation.”

“Whitnash is three miles away. It’s pouring rain outside. And it’s mid-afternoon already, which means it will be nightfall before you arrive. That’s presuming you don’t get lost on the way.”

He’d be damned if he’d offer them conveyance in his chaise. Not if it meant sending her out of his life. Forever.

“I’ll manage,” she asserted.

“With a six-year-old child? I won’t allow it.”

“Allow it!” The words echoed in the vastness of the entrance hall as she stopped near one of the suits of armor by the staircase. With a glance at the footman who was trimming the lamps in the library, she lowered her voice to a hiss. “You may be able to order other people around, Mr. High-and-Mighty Duke, but not me.”

Hadrian clenched his jaw. Never before had he met a more exasperating woman—or a more alluring one. There was a dash of pink color in her cheeks that enhanced her wild beauty and stirred the fiery urge to pull her into his arms.

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