Page 12 of His Duchess' Wicked List

“Of course, Mother,” he replied, forcing a smile, as he took two eggs from the silver dish the footman offered him, placing them on his plate. “Where are we going?”

But the Dowager Duchess shook her head, with a tight smile. “You shall see.” She turned to her daughter. “Selina, you will accompany us as well. I will ask for the carriage to be ready by ten, and I want you both at the front door by then, please.”

Daniel and Selina gazed at each other. Selina shook her head slightly. It appeared that his younger sister had no more idea of where they were going than he did.

“It is all settled, then,” the Dowager Duchess uttered in a firm voice, standing up, and throwing her napkin on the table. “Do not be late.” She sailed out of the room, as imperious as a queen.

Daniel picked up his cup, sipping his tea thoughtfully. He was bursting with curiosity about Maddie, and he was alone with his sister. Now was the time to find out everything that he could about his sister’s best friend. Selina might reveal something that he could use to his advantage.

“Does your friend call on you often in the evening?” he asked, trying to keep his voice casual. “She seemed so surprised not to find you in the study last night.”

Selina shook her head. “No, that was unusual. But Maddiedoesknow my habits—she knows that I sometimes retreat to the study after dinner. I have told her often enough.” She frowned slightly. “She seemed upset or flustered, and yet she refused to say why she had even come. Whatdidyou say to her, Daniel?”

“Why, hardly anything at all,” Daniel responded, a red flush creeping up his neck. “We barely had time to exchange two words before you came bursting through the door.”

Selina raised her eyebrows. “I do hope you did not flirt with her in any way. She is my dearest friend in the world, Brother, and I do not want you breaking her heart, along with every other lady’s heart in London.”

Daniel coughed into his hand. “You exaggerate, Sister! I am not such a rake as that.”

He glanced down at his plate. He didn’t want his sister to see that he was lying through his teeth.

Selina laughed shortly. “You have reformed? Why, then, do you refuse to contemplate marriage still, when you know how important it is to Mama?”

Daniel’s heart twisted. “You know why, Selina. You know what happened with our parents’ marriage. I simply refuse to be put in that position.” His gaze softened. “It is because I donotwish to break any lady’s heart by swearing eternal fidelity that I know it is impossible.”

There was silence. Selina looked sad and wistful. “But… I am sure that our parents loved each other once upon a time. At least, that is what Mama claims.”

Daniel gave a bark of laughter. “Perhaps. But love and desire fade over time.” He hesitated. “Do you know all the details of what happened with our father?”

Selina looked pained. “Yes,” she whispered. “How could I not? It was the biggest scandal in London. You all tried to keep it from me, but people do talk. It was not hard to find out that my father died from apoplexy while in his mistress’s bed.”

Daniel’s heart flipped over in his chest. Somehow, hearing it stated so calmly and bluntly by his younger sister was shocking. He had imagined that he was immune to it, after all this time, but it seemed that he was mistaken.

It all came back to him in a rush. The shock of hearing that his father was dead, and in such a sordid way. The terrible pain on his mother’s face when she heard the repugnant details of how her husband had died. Trying desperately to keep those details contained so that the ton wouldn’t be aware of how the former Duke of Everly had passed and prevent a scandal.

It had all been in vain. Word had gotten out, as it always did. They had tried to lie low at Stansgate, waiting for the furor to pass. But it hadn’t. In desperation, his mother had arranged to send him abroad, on his Grand Tour.

She had only been trying to protect him. His cousin had gallantly stepped in to assist with the day-to-day running of the duchy in his absence… and it had been easy to leave it all behind when he was so far away. There were even times when he was abroad that he had managed to forget about it entirely.

“I am sorry you know all the details, Sister,” he said haltingly. “But I suppose itwasinevitable, as you say.” He hesitated. “Mama delayed your debut, as well, did she not?”

Selina nodded, biting her lip. “For two years. I only came out last year.” She studied his face carefully. “No one really remembers anymore, Daniel. At least, it does not affect me. If anything, I havetoomany invitations to Society events. You do not need to be afraid of it any longer. You are the Duke of Everly, and you can take your position without fear of censure, Brother.”

Daniel’s face twisted. “I suppose I should be pleased,” he said in a slightly acidic tone. “For everyone knows it is a fate worse than death to be shunned by the beau monde.”

“You are not him, Brother,” Selina insisted in a wavering voice. “You wouldneverdo such a thing to your wife! I believe in you, Daniel. Please, do not let it affect your life forever.”

“Ah, but who knows?” Daniel tried not to let bitterness overwhelm him. “I am my father’s son, Selina. I inherited his taste for the fairer sex. I do not deny it. However, I refuse to marry and break a lady’s heart in such a way. I will never forget how Mother looked when she found out. It was like her hearthad been ripped from her chest entirely. I simply will not take the chance… no matter how strongly she pressures me.”

Selina looked sad but didn’t contradict him. His chest tightened. He didn’t know how the topic had turned so dark. He had just wanted to find out all he could about Lady Madeline Cole, and he was still none the wiser. But a somber mood seemed to have overtaken both of them.

“I should go and get ready,” Selina said in a small voice, dabbing her mouth with her napkin. “I shall see you in a little while, Brother.” She left the room.

Daniel pushed his plate aside. He had lost his appetite.

He knew that Selina meant well. But it was impossible. He would never marry and risk that he would someday become his father. And his mother, as well as everyone else, would just jolly well have to live with the consequences.

Resolutely, he turned his mind back to Maddie and the delicious deal he was trying to broker with her. He would try his hardest not to break her heart, for his sweet sister’s sake. But he simply couldn’t stop pursuing her.

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