Look at Her Duke (Surprise! Dukes) by Caroline Lee

Author:Caroline Lee [Lee, Caroline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-10-18T00:00:00+00:00

Amelia wasn’t certain if she was giddy with excitement, or on the verge of vomiting. Perhaps both.

Kipling would be joining them for dinner! Tonight! Mother had announced it that morning, and Alistair had confirmed it.

But he’d also said the Earl of Stallings’ family would be joining them. Which meant Kipling was bringing his betrothed.

Almost betrothed.

The distinction didn’t exactly help.

That night on the balcony, when the other woman had introduced herself so boldly, Amelia's heart had dropped into her stomach. Then Kipling had grinned—a sickly grin, not his usual one—and assured her the betrothal wasn’t official yet. Lady Emma had merely clucked her tongue, slipped her arm through Kipling’s, and laughed.

“A mere formality, darling!” she’d declared.

And Amelia might have sunk into the floor in a puddle of embarrassment, or slapped Kipling for making her think he had feelings for her.

But what stopped her was the look on his face; he looked awkward and uncomfortable yes, but more than that…he’d looked sad. Like it wasn’t what he’d intended.

So unlike the brilliant, beautiful expression on his face when he’d told her he’d cared for her, that she was the reason he’d fled.

So he used to care for you. Two years is a long time, especially when he has been abroad flirting with gorgeous mademoiselles in France, and returned home a duke. Just because he once cared for you does not mean he still does.

Yes, well. The argument was nothing new.

Amelia frowned at her reflection in the mirror.

Her subconscious had been reminding her of this approximately every twelve minutes for the last several days. She woke up thinking of Kipling, and went to bed thinking of Kipling.

In fact…

Amelia’s eyes cut to the side, resting on the small bookshelf. There, hidden between a treatise on the feeding habits of goats and volumes one through thirty-seven of Birds of Britain by Ava Ian, her battered copy of A Harlot’s Guide to the Forbidden and Delightful Arts was hidden.

How many times over the years had she pulled out the book, hidden beneath her covers, and touched herself breathless, thinking of Kipling Mancheste?

Well, last night, she’d done it again—only this time, it was with the knowledge that at one point, he’d cared for her. Wanted her. Lusted after her.

Could he care for her again? Could he still care for her?

Not if he is bringing his betrothed to your home for dinner tonight.

Ah, yes, there was that.

Amelia sighed, stomach in knots. She had no idea what tonight would bring, but she was ready. As ready as she would ever be, she supposed. Tucking one last strand of hair behind her ears, she heard a distinctive cluck behind her.

“I know, I know. I am being silly.” She twisted in her chair to see Becky pecking at the fringe on the bottom of her curtains. “He either cares for me, or he does not, and worrying will not change that.”

When she crossed the room, her dear pet lifted her head, gave a happy little cheep just as she had when she’d been tiny, and toddled across the room toward Amelia.

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