The Dark Duke by Margaret Moore

Author:Margaret Moore [Moore, Margaret]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9780263815122
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 1996-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Adrian preceded Elliot into the house and, after both had given their hats and gloves to a waiting footman, turned on him with a fierce and angry eye. “Come to my study,” he commanded.

“Who do you think you are, to order me in such a fashion?” Elliot replied.

“I am the Duke of Barroughby,” Adrian growled, and for once, Elliot thought he would do well to ignore Adrian’s manner and obey as Adrian turned on his heel and led the way to his study.

“What is it this time?” Elliot asked as he entered. “Upset because I used the barouche without asking?”

Adrian shut the door firmly behind his half brother and glared at him. “Don’t you ever speak so in front of a lady again!”

“How so?” Elliot queried, forcing a lightness to his tone that he certainly did not feel, suddenly mindful of Adrian’s prowess at dueling. He sat casually in one of the large wing chairs while Adrian paced like a caged bear.

“To speak of whores in front of Lady Hester, you disgusting sybarite!”

“Ah!” Elliot said, ignoring the insult because he was aware that there was something different about Adrian’s manner, something that made Elliot feel that he had the upper hand. “Apparently it is quite all right for one to patronize such establishments,” he continued, affecting a mockingly studious air, “and to reek of them afterward—no matter what pretty excuse Lady Hester makes for you—but one should never speak of them before a lady.”

Adrian realized he had made a terrible mistake by confronting Elliot so quickly. The sly rogue had interpreted his concern as genuine regard for Lady Hester, which placed Hester in great jeopardy, as Adrian well knew from sad experience. He reminded himself that Elliot must believe the beautiful, vacuous Damaris was his target. Yet when he considered how his heart had soared to think Hester had placed her trust in him—with his soiled reputation and fresh from a brothel!—he very much wished he did not have to.

“I hope you don’t speak that way to Damaris Sackville-Cooper,” Adrian said coldly.

“I didn’t this afternoon. She seemed very happy to see me, too,” Elliot noted.

“As long as seeing is all you have in mind.”

“Jealous, are we?” Elliot inquired slyly.

“I won’t have you do to her what you did to Elizabeth Howell.”

It was Elliot’s turn to scowl.

“Why else do you think I came here? I knew you’d wash up here eventually. I want to warn you against ever doing such a despicable thing again!”

“Or you’ll what?” Elliot demanded just as angrily. “Send me to prison? On what charge? Elizabeth was a silly girl who fancied herself in love with me. She was not averse to more, shall we say, passionate expressions of her devotion, so who was I to deny her?”

“You left her alone and penniless in London, pregnant and afraid.”

“Not alone,” Elliot corrected. “Her brother was in town, as I believe you discovered for yourself.” He nodded at Adrian’s injured leg.

“That youngster?” Adrian replied. “He knew even less about the ways of the world than she did.

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