To Redeem a Rake (The Heart of a Duke Book 11) by Christi Caldwell

Author:Christi Caldwell [Caldwell, Christi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Christi Caldwell Ink
Published: 2016-09-08T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Since Daphne had been a girl of five, challenging him for the rights to his family’s lake, she’d always shown a wicked delight in teasing him. At eight and twenty years, she was no different.

Daniel laughed, the sound emerging rusty from ill-use. “Oh?” he drawled and picked up his uncle’s now empty snifter. As he came around his desk, starting for the sideboard, Daphne furrowed her brow. Offering her resignation. Reaching the mahogany piece stocked with liquor, he gave his head a wry shake. Then he registered the absolute silence blanketing the room. Bottle of brandy and glass in hand, he turned.

Daphne remained precisely where she’d stood since his uncle had taken his leave. Her freckles stood out stark against her pale cheeks. “This is no jest, Daniel,” she said quietly. “I am offering my resignation.”

At the somberness of her tone, a frisson of panic ran through him. The bottle shook in his hand and he steadied his grip on it. Leaving? Why should that thought rouse this frantic anxiety inside? Because I’ve need of her for Alice, is all… Yes, he required her presence and his uncle approved. No other lady would do for the post. That was all. Abandoning his glass and decanter on the sideboard, he gave a crooked grin. “Very well. Then, I am not accepting it.” He leaned against the mahogany piece and winged a challenging eyebrow up.

She scrunched her mouth. He’d wager if she’d been a girl of seven and not eight and twenty, she’d be stamping her foot. “You cannot, not allow me to resign.”

“I can,” He lifted his index finger. “And I did.”

Daphne shifted her weight back and forth, and then she rested her palms on the back of the seat she’d previously occupied. “I’m leaving,” she repeated, a determined glint in her eyes that sent his panic spiraling.

He called forth countless years’ worth of rakish charm. “I understand you’re no doubt displeased with me, love,” he said in tones he’d often used with the skittish mare he’d been forced to sell off. As she should be. Daphne pursed her lips. Of course, she’d not be easy to cajole and win over like all the ladies before her. “Unpardonable for me to let my uncle question your honor,” he added.

She clenched and unclenched the top of her seat. With sharp eyes, he took in the whiteness of her knuckles. “Don’t you see? He should question her honor. He should question the honor of any woman who is entrusted with Alice’s care.”

He went still as understanding dawned. “This is because of our embrace.” An embrace he’d very much like to repeat, here in his office, spread out on his desk. His blood fired hot.

Daphne shot a horrified gaze to the open door. In seven long strides, he was across the room, yanking the handle. As soon as he’d closed the door behind them, she shook her head. “This is not because of our embrace,” she said, shaking her head. She took a faltering step toward him, and then lifted her palms.

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