Misadventures with the Duke by Stacy Reid

Author:Stacy Reid
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: 0
Published: 2019-01-01T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

The duke stared at Pippa, arrested, his expression one of mild shock. “And what has she accused me of?” he demanded softly.

“I ought not to have said that. My wretched tongue!”

A cold, intimidating fire leaped into his eyes. “I ask you again, Miss Cavanaugh, what dastardly act am I meant to have done, to Lady Miranda, I presume?”

The disdainful slant of his lips inflamed Pippa’s ire. “Only what you have done, surely you should know it!”

“You have a remarkably false notion of my character.”

The waltz ended, and she was grateful, hardly knowing what to make of the man. The look of surprise in his eyes now seemed so genuine. But she knew her dear friend would not mistake the matter, would she? Pippa hated the doubt worming through her heart. She did trust Miranda, they were the best of friends. But why did the duke betray such surprise?

Only now, the eyes peering down at her were blank with icy civility. “You set out on a campaign of ruin without confirmation of this dastardly act. You are a silly, immature miss not worthy of my regard!”

Pippa flinched. She had felt suddenly breathless, and embarrassed, and perplexingly hurt.

The countess came up at that moment to tell Pippa that her mamma required her presence, preventing her from uttering the retort that rose to her lips. In silence, he escorted her toward her mother.

“This conversation is not over, Miss Cavanaugh. Nor is our game. I will see you at midnight.”

“I thought I was unworthy of your regard?” she snapped.

“It seems as if I am a damned fool, for I want nothing more than to meet you.”

That coldly biting acknowledgment infuriated him more. It occurred to her, despite his rank and position the duke was drawn to her. The notion did frightening things to her heart.

“You brought your chess board and pieces?” she asked, instead of denying the outrageousness of what he suggested and running far away as possible. She tried to reassure herself she was merely seeking ammunition for Miranda, but deep inside…Pippa was a mess of bewildering emotions.

He tapped his temple once. “We will play here.”

She was momentarily diverted. A mental chess game, moving each piece from sheer memory? How positively thrilling. She remembered the last move she had made and each placement of the board with sharp acuity. “I will not promise to be there.”

The duke spoke to her mother briefly before melting away into the crowd. Pippa was painfully aware of all the avid stares of confusion aimed her way because the duke had danced with no other. His sisters sent her several assessing glances from behind their fans, and she wanted to flee from it all. But she had never been a coward, and she would not start acting silly now. Lifting her chin, she made her way through the throng, searching for Miranda. Pippa was disappointed to learn her friend had pled a headache and departed while she and the duke danced.

It tore at her heart to know her friend could no longer enjoy a ball.

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