The Duke Who Dared by Tammy Andresen

Author:Tammy Andresen
Language: eng
Format: epub

CHAPTER TEN

Later that morning they stood in front of the stately entrance to the Marquess of Stallworth’s home.

Aubrey’s hand tightened on his arm as Nick knocked for the second time. It was early, just after eleven, but usually servants were up and about long before that hour, even if the lord was not.

“Are you sure we should be doing this?” Aubrey whispered, turning her head closer to his shoulder. “What if he won’t see me?”

“He’ll see you,” Nick growled, his back growing straighter at the idea as every protective instinct he had kicked in at once. Aubrey had suffered enough at this man’s hands. He’d not hurt her today, not if Nick could help it.

He raised his hand to clap the knocker a third time when the door finally opened. An ancient-looking butler appeared in the doorway, his hazy eyes squinting at Nick. “May I help you?”

“The Duke of Wingate and Madame Beauchamp are here to see the Marquess of Stallworth,” Nick barked back, already irritated for being kept waiting and for the worry that had caused Aubrey.

Aubrey looked up at him as her brows rose. “You sound very dukely when you talk like that.”

The muscles in his arms tightened as he pulled her a touch closer. “You get the full weight of my dukeliness on your side this morning.”

He felt her relax. “Thank you.”

The butler’s head turned partially toward them and Nick would have wagered money that while the man’s sight wasn’t that good, his hearing was excellent. Not that they’d said much, but it was enough to give the butler a whiff that there might be trouble.

He showed them into a sitting room. “His lordship has not yet risen for the day. It might be better if you came back—”

“We’ll wait,” Nick answered before the man could finish.

The butler gave a curt nod before he disappeared.

“Shall we sit?” Nick asked. “I don’t think refreshments are going to be served, and we might be here a while.”

Aubrey gave him a tense smile. “I’m too nervous to sit, I think.”

He nodded. “We’ll do circles about the room, then. How does that sound?”

They started walking, a silence settling between them for a lap or two before Aubrey looked over at him. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“My pleasure.”

“I’m grateful for everything. I truly am. But I’ve been picturing this moment since I was a small child, and now that’s its finally come, I can’t picture anyone I’d rather have next to me than you.”

His heart swelled to hear the words.

He knew she wished for independence, so to also know that she needed him was gratifying to say the least.

“I’m glad to be here too. I’ve told you already, but I’ll always support you.”

Her mouth twitched down, a momentary frown creasing her forehead before the look was gone again.

Did she not want his offer of support? Did she worry that he’d disappear from her life again like he’d done when he was a teenager? Allow his friends to tease her?

He covered her hand with his.

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