The Not So Perfect Duke by Karyn Gerrard

Author:Karyn Gerrard
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: victorian, historical, romance, lady detective, mystery, lady sleuth
Publisher: KG Publishing
Published: 2022-11-29T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Althea arrived at 10 Clarendon Place promptly at seven. The skies were overcast, and the clouds looked ominous, as if a summer storm were brewing. Kingsley showed her into the study, but Damon was not there. She sat on the sofa and removed her bonnet and gloves. On the table before her sat a bottle of sparkling white wine, two glasses, and a bowl of fresh strawberries, raspberries, and grapes.

The fire crackled in the hearth, and instead of the electric lights, lit candelabras were spaced around the room, giving it an intimate glow. A room set for seduction? Well, she had suggested such, did she not?

And Damon’s declaration of staying an hour or staying the night? After much internal debating, Althea decided on the staying-an-hour proposal. Remaining all night would indicate she wanted more than a brief affair. In the years of being with the investigative agency and all the men Althea had met from various walks of life, there was none Althea wished to bed. None she had yearned to be her first.

Until she met Damon Cranston.

Don’t let wayward emotions carry me off.

He strolled into the room, dressed in a dark gray suit, handsome as ever. He wore his guarded expression as if not knowing what to expect.

“How was your luncheon with Asher and Christian?” she asked politely.

Damon sat opposite, not on the sofa with her. How curious. “They have contributed to Chellenhome and offered to assist.” In a monotone voice, he relayed about the progressive group within Parliament and the fact that he could make a presentation to bring other donors on board.

“That is wonderful. I believe we can start to wrap up this case and finalize the investigation as soon as the safe is opened.”

Damon’s eyebrow cocked. “Finalize? Is this case not exciting enough for you? No grand villain for you to face as in Gideon’s investigation? No opportunity for you to brandish your pistol and take down said rogue? The villain in this inquiry is dead already. How tedious for you.”

Was he teasing? Being sarcastic, or a little of both? It was hard to tell as his guarded expression was still in place.

“Take down? I shot Whinstone in the knee. He deserved it. I do not relish having to use force.”

Damon narrowed his eyes. “Is that so? I think you thrive on the excitement.”

“Every case is exciting. So yes, I do thrive on it. What is the matter? You have a dour look on your face.”

And he did. Damon was frowning now; the guarded expression had dissipated.

“I do not wish to discuss charitable acts or the level of exhilaration in your investigations, not tonight. I want to know what is going on between us and where it will go.”

“Go?” Althea gave him a puzzled look. “Why does it have to go anywhere? We agreed on a dalliance, and you proposed an hour. Well, here I am.”

“And that is all?” he asked softly.

“I assumed that is all you wanted. Even though a brief liaison was all we discussed, I do take this seriously.

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