How to Capture a Duke by Tina Gabrielle

Author:Tina Gabrielle [Gabrielle, Tina]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Women's Historical Fiction, stables, how to tempt an earl, Series Romance, Mistaken Identity, tina gabrielle, duke, regency historical romance, Forced Proximity Romance, Popular Romance, how to best a marquess, spring, forced marriage, Entangled Publishing, London, enemies to lovers romance, Historical British Fiction, Historical Regency Fiction, Historical Romances, sexy historical romance, Scandalous
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Published: 2019-10-13T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Olivia reached for the door handle, but Tristan was there first. He jumped out, waved away the coachman, and lowered the step himself.

“I can walk,” Olivia said.

He ignored her protests and reached for her hand as she stepped down then teetered up the mansion’s front steps. Gordon opened the door as soon as soon they reached the top step. One glance from Tristan and the butler shrank away.

Clutching the gilt balustrade, she stumbled on the third step of the winding staircase. Tristan was beside her in a flash, placing a hand around her waist to steady her. She tried not to focus on the strength of his hold or how every inch of her flesh responded to him.

“Easy up the stairs,” he said.

She gave him a sidelong glance. “You should know that I never drink to excess.”

“Why did you then?”

She bit her bottom lip. “What Lord Jeffries told me was upsetting.”

His lack of protest confirmed his beliefs about not fathering children. They reached her door. He eased it open and helped her inside. She loved the soft pink hues and the inviting shell-pink coverlet she’d chosen. She turned back to him. He looked entirely masculine standing in the center of the feminine room.

She hadn’t given up all hope. What they’d shared in the carriage was special and told her they had a chance. Could she follow the dictates of her heart? Would he be willing to as well? Could she change his mind?

Never one to miss an opportunity, she stepped close. “I need help with my dress. I’d rather not wait to summon my maid. Can you manage?” She turned and pulled her hair to the side and waited expectantly.

He hesitated. She sneaked a glance back, and the look of desire on his face was plain to see. It made her legs feel weak and her heart pound. He wanted her. It was clear. A battle raged within him. Need versus determination. Which would win?

He turned away slowly, almost painfully, and reached for the door handle. “I’ll summon your maid.”

…

Early the following morning, Tristan pounded on the door of the Piccadilly house with more force than necessary. Lord Jeffries’s butler opened the door on the third knock.

“Lord Jeffries is still abed, Your Grace,” the butler said, recognizing Tristan on sight.

“It does not matter to me.” Tristan pushed his way inside and took the stairs two at a time up to the second floor of the fashionable London town home. Spencer’s butler didn’t bother to voice an objection.

Tristan threw open the door at the end of the hall.

The man lay in bed, a hand over his eyes. “I said to leave me alone!”

Tristan strode to the window and jerked open the heavy curtains. Bright sunlight flooded the bedchamber.

“I shall sack you!” Spencer moved his hand and squinted in the bright light to see Tristan, not his butler.

“Good morning, cousin.” Tristan folded his arms across his chest and leaned on the frame of the bed.

“Tristan, Christ!”

Spencer’s hair stuck up in different directions like straw.

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