His Scandalous Lessons (Private Arrangements) by Kendrick Katrina

Author:Kendrick, Katrina
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2023-08-03T00:00:00+00:00

26

Richard awoke, his body exhausted from hours of pleasure with Anne. He’d had her three times during the night and slept more soundly than he had in years. He smiled, intending to have her again before breakfast, but when he reached for her, she wasn’t there.

She’d been absent long enough for the sheets to grow cold.

She must have returned to her room before the sun rose. He smirked at the thought of their scandalous rendezvous and the gossip it would stir.

Richard pulled on his clothes and strode back to the house. It was dead silent – no voices, no laughter, no footfalls – but Caroline’s servants were well-trained; they prided themselves on being scarcely seen and certainly not heard. And as for the guests? Except for Anne and Granby, they rarely made it out of bed before noon.

And Richard had kept Anne very busy indeed.

A smirk tugged his lips as he trudged toward Caroline’s study and knocked lightly on the door. Best to give the duchess the news that he and Anne would be leaving as soon as possible.

“Enter.” Her voice was muffled behind the heavy oak barrier.

Richard stepped into the chamber that still bore traces of its former occupant – the duke – despite Caroline’s efforts to feminise it with a vase of tulips on the edge of her desk. No matter what time of year, it seemed there were always tulips. Richard often wondered why.

His amusement died when he saw Caroline’s blonde brows drawn together in a frown. “What’s happened?”

She gave a sharp gesture towards the stack of papers folded neatly on the corner of her desk, with his name scrawled across them in familiar handwriting.

“Anne left you these and this note after breaking things off with Granby.”

With a growl, Richard snatched up the letter.

Dear Richard,

I know how alarmed you must be right now; I am sorry for that. I had to leave Ravenhill in some haste.

My father sent a cable this morning. He sends notes when he requires my attention regarding a person he finds of immediate interest. The cable was about you. I cannot be selfish and prioritise my happiness and needs when he intends to harm you. You are more important to me than that.

I beg your forgiveness and have left you with the remaining information on his allies, as promised. I will help you the way you helped me.

Yours,

Anne

Richard crushed the letter in his fist, a low oath spilling from his lips. He dragged both hands through his hair like a man possessed. “You let her leave?”

“She’s not a prisoner, Richard.” Her gaze softened. “Are you going to read her papers or not?”

“Later.” His laugh was mirthless and empty. “I have to go to London, find her, and shove her on the first bloody train to Scotland so I can marry her.”

“I suggest you plan another course of action because short of kidnapping her, she won’t come willingly. She cares too deeply for you.”

Richard bared his teeth. “Then maybe I’ll just strangle her father,” he growled.

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