The Duke's Secret Seduction by Donna Lea Simpson

Author:Donna Lea Simpson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
Publisher: Beyond the Page
Published: 2018-06-26T16:00:00+00:00

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Alban watched from a window as Orkenay kissed Mrs. Douglas tenderly, cupped her cheek briefly in his palm and then turned to walk down the path. How touching! What had been agreed between them? the duke wondered, burning with anger. He had not even told the others he was there, resolving to wait until he was fit to see his aunt, after what he had witnessed in the meadow, but he couldn’t tolerate not knowing what was going on. What had that scene at the garden gate meant? There was an intimacy in the earl’s gesture that bespoke some understanding.

He heard Kittie move through the hallway and up the stairs but couldn’t bear to talk to her that moment. He would make some accusation, and until he knew the truth he didn’t want to be precipitate. He exited the cottage and raced into the woods after the earl. “Orkenay,” he shouted, once his acquaintance was in sight.

The man paused and glanced back. “Alban. Where the devil did you come from? Thought you were home this morning.”

“I was, but I decided to visit the ladies. I heard you were out walking with Mrs. Douglas.”

“I was.” The earl began to walk again, along the shadowed path that meandered restlessly through the glade.

“Why?”

“Why was I out walking with Mrs. Douglas? I didn’t know I needed a reason.”

“Orkenay, don’t toy with me,” Alban said, grabbing the other man’s arm.

“Whatever do you mean?” The earl drew back, brow furrowed, and glared. “You seem most odd this morning.”

“I saw you!” Alban thundered, his voice echoing back to him strangely and some bird fluttering, upset at the shout.

“Did you?” Orkenay paused, a look of mischief in his eyes. “You saw Kittie and me walking, you mean?”

“I saw you kissing! What the devil was that all about?”

With an oily smile, he said, “None of your business, old man, whom I kiss or don’t. Mrs. Douglas is a very beautiful woman, as I’m sure you’ve noticed.” He stared at the duke. “And she is very much in need of kissing.”

The earl’s nonchalance was insufferable and Alban longed to plant him a facer, but he allowed only one hand to ball into a fist at his side. He would surely hurt him if he allowed his ire free reign. “She is my aunt’s companion. I’m sure you recognize that gives us some reason to inquire as to your motives in kissing her?”

“Hmm, ‘us’? Are you truly inquiring for Lady Eliza, or more for yourself? And really, Alban, motive? To kiss a lovely woman?”

“You know what I mean. What do you intend?” He watched the other man’s expression, the measuring gaze, the indecision.

Then Orkenay’s chin went up in a pugnacious gesture. “It’s none of your business, but Mrs. Douglas has agreed to go back to London with me once our visit here is at an end. She is to become my mistress. Ain’t I a lucky fellow?”

Alban, stunned, stared at the earl wordlessly. If he had not seen the

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