Never Dance with a Duke by Collette Cameron

Author:Collette Cameron [Cameron, Collette]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Seductive Scoundrels, Book Seven
Publisher: Blue Rose Romance
Published: 2020-04-20T00:00:00+00:00

Mayfair, London

Afternoon

23 May 1810

Mathias was late.

Returning his timepiece to his pocket, he firmed his lips as the carriage rumbled through London’s cobbled streets. His mother’s tea had started thirty minutes ago, and he’d promised to be present.

He’d taken Nicolette on that coveted ride through Hyde Park in his phaeton, and they’d walked together two mornings. He’d also made a point to attend the Featherspoons’ musical, as well as the Middlethorpes’ dinner when he’d learned she’d been invited.

They’d developed a camaraderie, and Nicolette no longer attempted to wedge formality between them. Mathias couldn’t be more delighted at his purposeful progress.

Two years he’d waited to pursue Nicolette, a woman like no other. She was incomparable, at least in his mind. He wanted very much to be her friend and confidant, someone she could trust without hesitation and rely upon. Hopefully, that trust, friendship, and attraction would grow into something more.

He was a patient man and would wait as long as it took.

Idly flexing his sore hand, Mathias grinned.

By God, his tardiness was worth it, though Mother wouldn’t agree.

As he’d made his way through White’s, he’d had the unfortunate privilege of encountering the Duke of Kilbourne. The assling, already well into his cups in the middle of the day, had hailed Mathias as he passed by his table.

“Heard you’re courting Nicolette Twistleton, Westfall.” He raised his glass, his mouth twisted into a sideways grin. Not much older than Mathias, Kilbourne was one of those dissolute peers who quickly wasted their fortunes on drink, gambling, and whoring. His sedate lifestyle lent to his lily-white hands, soft body, and increasingly fleshy features.

Nicolette was well rid of the whey-faced man, even if she didn’t know it.

Mathias had put his sleuthing skills to work and uncovered several unsavory details about Kilbourne.

The duke had managed to blow through a goodly portion of his estranged wife’s fortune already. The Duchess of Kilbourne had journeyed to America because he’d beaten her one time too many. She had no plans to return. And Kilbourne had the clap, which was no surprise given his propensity to swive anything in skirts.

“You shouldn’t believe everything you hear,” Mathias said, nodding politely at the men sitting with Kilbourne, Cliff Preston and Collin Chambers, both younger sons of peers. Also, notorious wastrels.

They returned his nod, boredom etched across their placid features.

“If you’ll excuse me,” Mathias said with a dip of his chin. “I have an engagement.”

“Come now, no need to be reticent.” Kilbourne took a hefty swig of whisky. “By all reports, you carried Nicolette from Hyde Park, and the next day visited her home.”

He dared to call her Nicolette after his abominable behavior?

Nicolette with her strength of character? Her gumption and daring? Her loyalty and wit?

Kilbourne’s jaded companions perked up at that tidbit.

Lady Darumple had been busy, hadn’t the chinwag?

One day, Mathias was going to start an unfathomable rumor within hearing of the woman, a tale so preposterous, only an idiot would believe it. And then he’d sit back and see how swiftly it spread amongst the upper ten thousand.

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