The Heart of a Duke by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Michael should be committed to Bedlam. There was nothing else for it.

But an inexplicable madness had overtaken him. Why else would he be waltzing an unwed, respectable, very marriageable lady around his host’s grounds? Alone.

There was also the matter of Lady Aldora believing he was in fact someone else—his brother, to be precise. His gut clenched as the acerbic bite of jealousy climbed up his throat and threatened to choke him. Michael had never before coveted St. James’s title until two days ago when this unconventional young lady had landed at his feet in Hyde Park. Since that moment he’d thought of nothing but her. Her smile. Her cheeky retorts. Her sharp wit.

Michael’s gaze fell to her bow-shaped ruby red lips. And he’d thought about those too. It took every last shred of decency buried deep inside him to resist the lure of the supple flesh.

He wanted to kiss away the lies between them. Wanted her to look at him, and not only see him, but want him. Michael made the mistake of glancing once more at her mouth and lost the silent battle warring within him. Michael lowered his lips and claimed the lush flesh.

Her lithe body stiffened and then seemed to melt against him. He angled his head, exploring the feel and contour of her lips. A sigh escaped her, and he slipped his tongue inside, needing to learn the taste of her.

She touched the tip of her tongue to his, first hesitant and then grew more bold.

Lemon and honey. She tasted like utter sweetness.

“Aldora Adamson, if you have a brain in your head, you will not be out here.” The harsh whisper cut into the magic between them.

Michael’s head jerked up.

Aldora’s eyes widened, and Michael knew the moment reality had intruded. Her body went whipcord straight in his arms, but it didn’t escape his notice that she did not pull away. She remained exactly where she was, in his arms.

He drew in a steadying breath and leaned down to place his lips alongside her ear. “A friend of yours?”

She gave a jerky nod; the top of her brown curls brushed his chin.

For one infinitesimal moment, he relished being found with her in his arms. She’d have no choice but to wed him…and she’d spend the rest of their lives hating him for being the other brother, the one she didn’t want. As much as he wanted Lady Aldora, he didn’t want her at all costs. What kind of life would it be for either of them if her devotion were reserved for another? Not just any other gentleman, his brother.

Michael set her away from him. Go, before you are discovered.

As if understanding his unspoken words, she gave another nod, and then hurried out of his arms.

Michael pressed himself alongside the wall, closing his eyes.

All that had come between him and the ruination of Lady Aldora Adamson had been the timely—or rather untimely—interruption.

“Where were you?” The hiss slashed into his thoughts.

Was this a friend? A sister? It struck Michael how little he actually knew about Lady Aldora.

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