Page 22 of Keeper of Secrets

As he watched her settle in her seat, he was reminded of why this concession of escorting her about London was a terrible idea.How could he trust himself with Chloe?This woman was made to weaken him until he broke every rule he’d carefully set in place.

CHAPTERSEVEN

Chloe stood next to Ryker,watching the parade of dancers.She didn’t dare ask him to dance, certain it violated one of his many rules.All right, perhaps there weren’t that many, but every time she spoke with him, he was telling her no for one reason or another.

It was tiresome, really.

Was she allowed to accept the invitation to dance from another man?

Would any ask with her standing next to the very large and rather intimidating duke?

“Is this not the dullest party you’ve ever seen?”

Chloe turned to see a stunning brunette standing just to her right.She might be from a small village, but she’d made enough friends to know, some women were kind while others… “I haven’t attended many events in London, so I have little to compare the evening with.”

The woman gave her a genuine smile.“You’re the duke’s new charge.”

“I am.”

The other lady’s gaze flitted up and down Chloe.“I expected you to be younger.”

“So did the duke.”

Ryker glanced over, finally noting Chloe was having a conversation.He’d been silently scanning the crowd since they’d arrived an hour prior.

“Countess Green.”

“Your Grace.”The countess dipped down into a curtsy.“A pleasure as always.”

There was no subtext to the woman’s voice, no stealthy glances.Her tone was just forthrightly pleasant.Chloe furrowed a brow, trying to decide why the woman might have approached.

“How do you fare?”Ryker asked, his gaze already back on the ballroom.

“Very well but I wondered if I might take your charge on a tour of the room?”

Ryker’s mouth pinched but he gave a quick jerk of his chin to give his permission, and in a moment, Countess Green was pulling her into the crowd.

“My name is Caroline,” the countess whispered, her arm threading through Chloe’s.

“Chloe.”

“A pleasure to meet you.”

“And you.Though I have to confess, I’m curious to know why we are on this stroll.”

Caroline leaned closer.“You simply looked as bored as I felt.”Then the woman winked.“And I am friends with Mildred.She asked me to look out for you at events, not that I attend many.I did wonder why she wasn’t here this evening?”

Relief made her breath rush out of her lungs.“Mildred asked you.”

Caroline looked back over her shoulder.“And, as I said, you looked as bored as I felt.You’d think having a guardian as handsome as yours would be thrilling, but it did not appear to be the case.In fact…”

Was Caroline interested in Ryker?Was the woman insinuating that Chloe wasn’t holding his attention?She stiffened, some possessive need making her bristle.“He has other business to attend tonight.Otherwise, I’m sure he’d be more attentive.”

Caroline raised a hand, her gaze filled with a question.“I’m certain he would.Mildred mentioned that your relationship with him might be developing.”

Chloe started in surprise.This woman already knew of their possible arrangement?Ryker would not be happy.“He would not appreciate hearing you share that.He’d prefer to keep our relationship more private.”

Caroline sighed.Shaking her head.“Men.”Then she leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.“My next husband will be as uncomplicated as he is kind, if I marry at all.”

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