The Duke Meets His Match by Tina Gabrielle

Author:Tina Gabrielle
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Published: 2017-07-09T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

The following morning, Chloe woke later than usual. Memories of her heated afternoon with the duke had invaded her dreams. She struggled to push them aside. Nothing could come of their time together, no matter how often she relived the velvet warmth of his kiss or the tantalizing caresses of his calloused hands on her skin.

The bedchamber door opened, and Alice stepped inside. After dressing, Chloe hurried to the breakfast room where she nibbled on buttered toast and sipped a cup of tea, then called for the butler to summon a carriage. Fifteen minutes later, Chloe arrived at the orphanage and hurried up the steps. She was late, and young Emily would surely be waiting. Her footsteps sounded off the worn floorboards as she rushed down the hall to the room the younger girls shared.

Mrs. Porter waylaid Chloe just outside the room. Her face was flushed, and her ample bosom heaved in her bodice. “Emily’s health is declining,” she stated abruptly.

Chloe’s nerves tensed. “Has the orphanage doctor seen the child?”

“Dr. Mason was here yesterday. She’s not improving, and he fears she will not. I should also inform you that Mr. Whitleson has returned.”

“I’d like to speak with him about Emily.”

Mrs. Porter nodded. “Follow me.”

Chloe was led into an office she’d never seen before. Mrs. Porter had always met her in the vestibule or was busy seeing to the numerous daily duties that were part of running the orphanage and caring for the children.

Mr. Whitleson, it appeared, acted in a much different capacity. Chloe scanned the bookshelves then spotted a pair of wooden chairs situated before an oak desk. Papers cluttered the surface of the desk, and Chloe suspected they had to do with the business aspects of the orphanage.

Mr. Whitleson sat behind the desk. A gaunt man with wiry salt-and-pepper hair, he had small dark eyes. He stood as soon as the women entered the room.

Mrs. Porter made the introductions. “This is Miss Somerton. I’ve told you about her visits.”

“Ah, yes.” Mr. Whitleson came around the desk. “Please have a seat, Miss Somerton.” He motioned to one of the wooden chairs, and Chloe sat and smoothed her skirts. Mr. Whitleson sat behind his desk. Something flickered in the depths of his dark eyes as he studied her intently. The hairs on Chloe’s nape rose, but she forced herself to smile serenely and meet his gaze.

The questionable look disappeared. “May I offer you refreshment?” Mr. Whitleson asked.

“No, thank you.”

He motioned to Mrs. Porter, and the woman left the room.

Mr. Whitleson sat back in his chair. “You are related to the Earls of Huntingdon and Vale?”

“Yes, they are married to my sisters.”

He rubbed his chin with a thumb and forefinger as he looked at her curiously. “I met Lord and Lady Huntingdon at the theater a while back. You look familiar. Perhaps you accompanied them?”

She didn’t think so, but she couldn’t be certain. Drury Lane was always crowded. A frisson pierced her spine. Was it possible she’d run into him in

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