Improper Duke: Scandalous Encounters by Kristabel Reed

Author:Kristabel Reed
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: historical romance, duke romance, regency romance, winter romance, scandalous encounters, romance, improper duke, historical, kristabel reed

Chapter Nine

GARETH WAITED WHILE his carriage moved through London’s streets. Camilla confused him. He honestly didn’t understand what had her so afraid. She wanted him—she made that abundantly clear—so it wasn’t attraction.

Was it fear over his title? Of becoming a duchess? Of the gossip society would hurl at her? Impatient, Gareth brushed that off. He could protect her. His fingers tapped on his thigh, and his leg bounced impatiently as the carriage inched along with the traffic.

He only agreed to attend Almack’s Solstice Ball because he knew Camilla planned to do so. The missive he sent round yesterday had not been acknowledged, not that he thought she’d immediately write him. Storm into his study, perhaps. Camilla was nothing if not passionate.

The wind seeped through the window coverings, but he ignored it. Flexing his fingers in his fine leather gloves, Gareth ran a hand over his face. Oh, the lengths one went to, to show a woman his interest.

No, not merely a woman. Camilla was more to him than a vessel for an heir. He trusted her. He wanted her as his partner, not as a polished duchess to preen for society.

And if she wished to continue matchmaking, he certainly had no issue with that. Camilla was exceedingly good at her profession and chose wisely for her clients. As duchess, she could, of course, continue her work. Sponsoring young ladies was a pastime his mother enjoyed, from what he recalled.

Entering Almack’s, he ignored the decor, the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the orchestra. People milled around, some dancing, some eating, some laughing in small groups. He also ignored several calls for his attention and prowled the room for Camilla.

Off the dance floor, with several other women, he finally saw her. She laughed, a slight smile on her face at something one of the others said. Her hair was simply done in a bun on the nape of her neck, with several small braids draped around it. The deep purple of her gown accented her fair skin and dark hair.

For the first time in his life, Gareth hesitated. He didn’t necessarily want to interrupt her; he did respect what she did and how well she accomplished her work. That did not, however, mean he couldn’t stand directly in her line of sight.

Gareth knew the instant she spotted him. Her smile dimmed—no, not dimmed. Changed. From the light, pleased expression she showed her coterie, to a slight tilt to her lush lips and, though he stood across the room, a calculating one.

His own lips twitched in acknowledgement. Camilla spoke with the other women and, with a nod to a tall, raven-haired woman beside her, stepped away. Gareth watched her move around the group, his attention solely focused on her. On the sway of her hips and the steadiness of her golden gaze.

So it took him more time than he’d like to admit to realize the tall woman she spoke to also crossed the room to where he stood.

It took Gareth no more than a beat

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