Page 26 of His Duchess' Wicked List

He grimaced in a mocking way. “Only just. I have been running this estate for five years, as well as the residence in Grosvenor Square. Staying on top of the servants’ wages and the maintenance required on both properties is a full-time job in itself.”

“How noble of you to step in to run the duchy,” Maddie praised, gazing at him. “I am certain the Dowager Duchess could not have managed without you, My Lord.”

“I do my best,” Christopher said, puffing up his chest a bit. “Lord knows thatsomeonehad to do it. But truth be told, I have always had a head for business, so it was no hardship.” He paused. “I am afraid my cousin was too busy gallivanting around Europe to attend to it. But then, he has always had a tendency to shirk his responsibilities.”

Daniel tensed. It was still a sore point for him, hearing how well his cousin had run the duchy in his absence, even though he was very grateful for it. He was just a bit tired of his mother constantly alluding to it. And did Chris really have to run himdown in such a way? Was that what he had been telling everyone in his absence?

“But enough about the duchy,” Christopher continued, gazing at Maddie warmly. “Tell me more about yourself, Lady Madeline. Perhaps how such a strikingly beautiful lady as yourself is still unmarried. I know you were the Diamond of the last two London Seasons.”

Daniel smiled to himself. He wasn’t surprised to hear that Maddie had been the Diamond of her Seasons at all. He leaned closer to hear her reply to his cousin’s question.

“I suppose I have never met anyone who has swept me off my feet,” she said, looking wistful. “Many have tried, but they all seem to be cut from the same cloth. It is so very hard to find a gentleman who I find appealing in that way, My Lord.”

Daniel’s heart constricted. She sounded so sincere that he didn’t doubt her innocence. Clearly, she wasn’t a wildly flirtatious type. His assumption that she was an ingenue who didn’t have much experience with men was confirmed.

The things she had written, so shockingly, on that list had been conjured by her imagination. And her desire to explore that side of herself, which was unusual for such a well-brought-up young lady.

She has untapped passion.I felt it when we kissed.

Daniel couldn’t wait to stir that whirlpool again. Already, he was dying of impatience. He must find a way to get her alone again, as quickly as possible, or surely die.

“Would you care to take a stroll?” Christopher asked casually. “There is a lake which is quite appealing at this time of year with the bird life.” He paused. “A pair of white swans have just arrived. They come to the lake at the same time every year. I believe they are life mates.”

Maddie’s eyes gleamed. “Oh, I adore swans! Yes, please, thank you. I would enjoy that very much, My Lord.”

To Daniel’s chagrin, they wandered away from the main party and towards the lake, side by side, their heads bent towards each other in conversation.

His heart tightened just watching them. He was certain, now, that his cousinwasinterested in Maddie. He had never seen Chris target a lady so quickly or exclusively.

It should be me taking her to see those swans,not him.

Immediately, he felt ashamed of himself. Chris was his cousin, and he had run the duchy when Daniel should have been doing it. He had taken care of his family as well.

While Daniel had been rambling around the Continent, indulging in countless love affairs, his quiet, steadfast cousin had stepped in to manage the estate. He shouldn’t feel resentfultowards him because he was showing a preference towards the woman that Daniel happened to be infatuated with at the moment. The infatuation would pass soon enough, as it always did.

Daniel ran a hand through his hair, watching them disappear further into the distance. He felt a little ill. Despite his best efforts, hewasresentful, and jealous, which was such an alien emotion for him that he almost didn’t recognize it.

It will pass after I have her.Then, I shall not care either way if Chris wants to squire her around.

Or so he kept telling himself as he drained his glass of champagne, waiting on tenterhooks for them to return.

Maddie was a little breathless by the time Lord Christopher brought her back to the party. And hot. It was such a glorious day and even hotter around the lake, which had sparkled as if a thousand diamonds were strewn across the surface.

“Madeline!” Her mother’s voice was imperious. “You forgot your parasol. Your cheeks are quite pink.”

“Sorry, Mama,” Maddie mumbled, not paying much attention, her eyes seeking out the Duke immediately.

Her mother gazed at Lord Christopher with a curious expression on her face. Suddenly, she smiled at him, in a quite dazzling way.

“Oh, never mind,” she said. “As long as you remember in the future. You must protect your complexion.” A pause. “Did you enjoy the stroll with my daughter, Lord Christopher?”

“Indeed, Lady Ollerton,” he replied, inclining his head. “Your daughter is charming. I could not ask for a better walking companion.”

Maddie smiled vaguely, inching away. She was thirsty.

When her mother started engaging Selina’s cousin in conversation, she took the opportunity, slipping away from them in search of some lemonade. She couldn’t drink any more champagne—it had made her head throb slightly in this heat.

As she searched for a footman, heading further away from the party, she noticed that Augusta and Selina were both still playing croquet, seemingly absorbed in the game. Her sister smashed the ball through a hoop with her mallet, looking triumphant. But she couldn’t see the Duke at all.

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