My Favorite Duke (The Duke Hunters Club Book 2) by Bianca Blythe

Author:Bianca Blythe [Blythe, Bianca]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Tags: regency
Publisher: Bianca Blythe
Published: 2020-05-30T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“Wonderful,” Juliet said, but her heart thrummed oddly. For a moment, she’d forgotten her fiancé and the reasons why it was essential she visit.

Juliet inspected the castle. Perhaps she felt somewhat intimidated by the castle, but that had less to do with the fact Horatius lived there than the architect had designed a foreboding facade. Slots for arrows should make one shiver.

“I used to pass this castle on carriage rides as a child. The tall towers and fairytale appearance captured my imagination easily.”

“And now you’re going to live there,” Lucas said.

“Yes.” When she’d learned an eligible man lived there, she’d vowed to secure a marriage proposal from him.

She’d achieved it.

Somehow she felt more trepidation than joy, and she shivered.

“And—er—my cottage is nearby,” Lucas said. “I can send you back to your house in a carriage.”

“I thought you left your carriage at the public house.”

He smiled. “I have more than one.”

She returned his smile.

“We shouldn’t be speaking at all,” she said reluctantly.

“I know.” A sad expression flitted across his face. “Let me sneak you inside.”

She widened her eyes. “You’ve been here before.”

Lucas’s face became rigid. He nodded, then turned. “Follow me.”

Juliet scrambled after him. “But I don’t understand. I’ve never heard Horatius speak about you.”

“I’m not surprised,” he said stiffly.

Juliet blinked. Men could be most odd. “Most likely you think Horatius only speaks about cricket like some other man. For your information, I have not heard Horatius speak about cricket a single time.”

A smile played on Lucas’s lips despite his frosty demeanor.

Juliet’s heart warmed despite herself. She reminded herself that it was natural for her heart to warm when she saw someone smiling. It was a basic, human reaction.

And if her heart seemed to warm at a faster rate than normal, it was only because the man was so tall. Simple science.

“I must mention you to him,” Juliet said.

“I would advise you not to.”

“Why not?”

“He doesn’t like me.”

Juliet frowned. “Oh.” She shifted her legs. “You must have offended him.”

“You could say that.” Lucas gave her a sad smile that sent an odd pang to her heart.

Lucas quickened his pace, and Juliet fought to keep up with him. “Perhaps he will forgive you.”

“I doubt it.”

“He’s a very honorable man.”

Lucas winced.

“If you like,” Juliet said, “I can speak with him.”

Lucas turned around, and his face darkened. “I wouldn’t do that.”

Juliet blinked. “Then I won’t say anything. I’ll be quiet. Like a mouse.”

Lucas didn’t smile.

“But why don’t you want to rectify things with him?”

Lucas exhaled. “Perhaps I don’t want him to forgive me.”

Juliet furrowed her brow. “But why—”

“No more questions,” Lucas said harshly.

Juliet tensed and blinked back tears.

Lucas sighed and turned to her. “I’m sorry. We’re only a short distance away.”

Juliet nodded, wondering why Lucas was striding away from the castle. A small barn appeared on the other side of a hill. Lucas looked both ways, no doubt searching for one of Horatius’s staff. No servant or farmer was present, and the air was silent.

“Now,” Lucas said, then ran toward the barn. Juliet followed Lucas inside.

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