Unmasked by the Alluring Duke by Scarlett Osborne

Author:Scarlett Osborne [Osborne, Scarlett]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-06-13T16:00:00+00:00

Edward sat in the study at Blighton Estate, his foot swinging over the other leg, as he looked out the window. He sat beside the desk, leaning heavily in the Windsor chair, and fiddled with the pen in his hands. Despite Jonathan’s return, he found himself still involved in his father’s business and had just finished replying to correspondence regarding the estate.

He sighed. He was tired after the ball the previous night, and he found himself lamenting over everything that seemed so wrong in his life. It wasn’t that he hadn’t enjoyed the ball—he had; it was a perfectly pleasant evening, but nothing felt quite right anymore. His relationship with his brother was suffering, his betrothal was formal at best but lacking in any real feeling, and he felt tired with life.

The knock on the door made him jump in surprise.

“Come in,” he called.

“A letter has arrived for you, My Lord,” Fletcher said, holding the letter upon a silver platter. The paper was cream colored and slightly textured, the wax seal ruby red but smooth, with no identifying mark.

“Oh,” Edward said. He normally had some idea of what was due. “Did they say who it was from?”

“No, My Lord,” Fletcher said, shaking his head. “It was actually left on the doorstep. One of the gardeners found it.”

“How very odd,” Edward said, standing and reaching over the table for the letter.

“Indeed.” Fletcher handed the letter over then stood to attention as Edward ran his finger under the seal, popping it open with a gentle crackle. He looked up at Fletcher was staring forward, formal and immovable.

“That’ll be all, thank you,” he said. Edward couldn’t help but smile at the butler’s covert eagerness to know more about the mystery.

“Of course, My Lord.”

Once the door clicked closed, Edward looked back down at the letter in his hand. He had an odd sense of dread, although he couldn’t say why. The paper was thick and roughly cut, the edges smooth as fabric.

He unfolded it and began reading the unfamiliar handwriting. The letters were large and unwieldly, and it was addressed simply to Lord Durnley. He looked immediately to the bottom in search of a signature, but there was none.

It was about Lady Emily. Edward read it twice, to be absolutely certain, then threw it down on the desk and leaped up. As he ran through the door, he shouted for Fletcher to fetch his coat and hat, and he was halfway down the outside steps before he was even fully dressed.

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