Secrets of a Duke: A Regency Romance (A Chronicle of Misadventures Book 2) by Martha Keyes

Author:Martha Keyes [Keyes, Martha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-10-16T00:00:00+00:00

18

CLARA

Clara couldn’t move. All she could manage was to stare. But the duke was right. John’s features grew more distinguishable the nearer he drew. And the hat…he always wore that hat. She should have recognized it.

“There ye are,” John said in a voice that was jarringly loud.

The duke’s fingers tightened slightly on Clara’s arm as John came to stop in front of them.

“Been waitin’ an age,” John said.

“What are you doing here?” Clara hissed.

His gaze dropped to the duke’s hand on her arm. “I could ask the same of you.”

The duke released his grip slowly.

“I am employed here.” Clara forced calm confidence into her voice, but inside, she was quaking. John could have no reason for coming to Rushlake that boded well for her.

“And what interestin’ work it looks to be.” His eyes shifted to the duke again, and Clara’s cheeks flamed.

The duke stepped toward him. “How you come to be on my property, I do not know, but I trust you can find your way off of it again. You have no business here.”

John’s brows drew together. “With all respect, Your Royal Graceness, I’m not here to speak with ye but with the woman beside ye, who is my wife.”

“A wife you sold to me. She is no longer your concern.”

Clear as if she was holding it in her hand, Clara’s mind went to the guinea the duke had paid John for her. How she hated the memory.

Her heart raced, her gaze flitting between the two men. Why John was here, she hadn’t the slightest idea, but whatever it was, it had nothing to do with the duke.

“Ah,” John said with a wry chuckle. “But that’s where ye’re wrong. I have it on the authority of the vicar who married us that, in the eyes of God and in the eyes of the law, she still belongs to me.”

She took a step forward, coming even with the duke. “I belong,” she said, “to no one. Speak with me if you must, John, but waste no more of the duke’s time. I myself have but a few minutes to spare.”

“I’m agreeable,” John said.

Clara turned to the duke, wondering if it was possible she had been in his arms just minutes ago or if it had all been a dream.

He frowned deeply as he met her gaze. “I cannot leave you here with him.”

His concern for her warmed her anxious heart. “He is not dangerous, Your Grace.”

The duke’s eyes swept to John, and he grimaced, then returned his gaze to Clara. “Are you certain?”

Clara nodded, but her heart twinged. This was not how she had envisioned parting with the duke. The next time she saw him, whenever that proved to be, things would be different. But what had she envisioned?

He hesitated another moment, as if he might say something else, then turned away and walked toward the stables, his horse trailing behind.

Clara shut her eyes and took in a breath. How had her dream turned so swiftly to a nightmare?

“I’m impressed, Clara,” John said behind her.

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