Duchess of His Heart by Cameron Collette

Author:Cameron, Collette
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Seductive Scoundrels, Book Six
Publisher: Blue Rose Romance
Published: 2020-02-11T00:00:00+00:00

Four days later, cognac in hand, James chatted with his brothers-in-law, Crispin, the Duke of Bainbridge, and Victor, the Duke of Sutcliffe, in Sutcliffe’s drawing room as they awaited dinner’s announcement. Though most of Society hadn’t returned to Town after the Christmastide holiday, business had required Bainbridge’s and Sutcliffe’s presence in London.

Naturally, neither would consider leaving their brides behind, nor would their duchesses ever have agreed to the separation. Since wedding, they’d clung together worse than lint on velvet.

As such, Theadosia, James’s middle sister, and the one most fond of entertaining had invited a few of their friends for dinner. Mathias, Duke of Westfall, conferred in low tones with Maxwell, Duke of Pennington before the frolicking crimson and orange flames flickering in the gray and white marble fireplace.

Pennington’s wife, Gabriella, sat upon a royal blue brocade settee with James’s youngest sister, Jessica, now the Duchess of Bainbridge, and their mutual friend Justina Farthington. The trio nodded at something Miss Farthington’s aunt, Emily Grenville, was saying.

“Thea always manages to collect a crowd for any gathering,” James said before taking a long swallow of the superb spirit. “It’s the off-season, yet—” He angled the glass toward those already assembled. His sister had fallen into the role of a duchess as naturally as birds fly and fish swim.

Conferring a fond look upon his wife, Sutcliff nodded. “She does have a way. She’s happiest when hostessing something or other.” His gaze swept the tastefully decorated room. “And I believe we are expecting a few more guests as well.”

No sooner had he uttered those words than the butler announced, “Her Grace, The Dowager Duchess of Heartwaite.”

Equal parts excitement and dread kicked an unrelenting rhythm behind James’s ribcage.

Exquisite in a midnight blue and white gown, with a filmy lace overskirt, Regine looked ethereal, like heaven had descended to Earth in human form. Angelic and impossibly seductive, too. In the years since she left him, she’d become preposterously more beautiful. A touch of rosy color tinged her high cheekbones, but other than that telltale sign, she remained supremely composed.

She must’ve suspected he’d be in attendance tonight. After all, his sister played hostess, which meant Regine didn’t intend to avoid him as he did her. He hadn’t considered that.

After eight years apart, this was the third time in less than a week he’d seen her. James didn’t know how much more his heart or composure could take.

The old treacherous sentimentality he’d convinced himself he’d annihilated had resurfaced, bubbling and scorching and dangerously near to breaching his self-control. He’d convinced himself he’d put Regine out of his mind and heart years ago.

What about your soul? Taunted that persistent voice that refused to let him deceive himself.

Go to hell, he silently retorted.

Concentrating on the molded plaster ceiling details, he brought his stampeding pulse to a fairly normal pace and waited for the sickening clenching in his gut to ease.

Blast Thea. James had no doubt whatsoever that his sister had learned Regine was in London and decided to meddle. More on point—play matchmaker.

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