Never Say Duke by Erica Ridley

Author:Erica Ridley [Ridley, Erica]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-1-943794-20-1
Publisher: Erica Ridley

Chapter 8

Virginia hesitated before the front step to the Duke of Azureford’s cottage. No matter how hard she tried, she had not stopped thinking about the kiss she and Theodore had shared.

She did not blame him for trying to remind her of the walls between them. They were more insurmountable than he knew.

Even if he’d been willing to throw away his good standing and become the laughingstock of the ton by taking her as his bride or his mistress, Virginia was not. She would not risk her freedom.

Virginia was done being laughed at, looked down upon, less than. But although London was out of the question, she could choose to make the most of what time with Theodore remained.

She adjusted her basket, rolled back her shoulders, and knocked.

Swinton answered the door immediately. If he had watched her dither on the front step, he gave no sign. Instead, he motioned towards the corridor. “Front parlor today.”

Virginia raised her brows. The front parlor was the furthest point from Theodore’s guest quarters… and from the library where they had shared their kiss.

The curtains were drawn when she stepped into the room, giving the large parlor a cozy, sleepy feel. The only movement came from a fire dancing in the grate. The only sounds, the occasional crackling of a log.

And then she heard it.

A grin spread across her face as she rushed in the direction of Duke’s familiar purr.

The little scamp was curled in Theodore’s lap, stretching luxuriously whilst he enjoyed lazy scratches at his favorite spot behind his ear.

Theodore’s wheeled chair was nowhere in sight. The wooden crutches lay on the floor, tucked within arm’s reach of the plush armchair where he sat petting her cat.

“Traitor,” Virginia said by way of greeting.

He nearly jumped out of his skin.

Laughing, Virginia took the seat opposite him. “Not you. Duke.”

At the sound of his name, Duke turned his head slightly and gave a halfhearted hiss. He was enjoying his scratches too much to put proper effort into the greeting.

Only when Theodore dropped his hand guiltily did Duke force himself from Theodore’s lap and saunter to Virginia’s feet.

“Watch this,” Theodore said. “Duke.”

Duke turned and hissed.

Theodore cocked an eyebrow toward Virginia.

She shrugged. “I showed you that trick the day you met him.”

“You didn’t show me this one.” Theodore turned back to Duke. “Thank you, Your Grace.”

Duke flopped over onto his spine. Purring loudly, he rubbed his back against the carpet in random patterns.

Virginia’s lips quirked.

Theodore pointed. “Did you know he would do that?”

“Of course. He is my cat.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Theodore demanded.

“Everyone knows ‘Your Grace’ is a proper way to address a duke,” she reminded him, “and ‘thank you’ is common courtesy.”

Theodore stared at her in consternation.

“Congratulations.” Virginia tried not to let her grin show. “You have good breeding. Duke approves.”

“I’ll write a note to the papers to let them know.”

“The three-bearded rockling’s bright orange scales do not take his measure, but that of those around him.” Virginia settled across from Theodore and narrowed her eyes. “You should consider a pet.

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