Page 27 of His Duchess' Wicked List

Her heart plummeted with disappointment, which she quickly tried to ignore. It was good that he had seemingly left the garden party. It meant that she didn’t have to keep ducking and dodging him, although he had managed to keep his distance while his cousin was entertaining her—which was something.

She found a footman coming from the house, and she snatched a tall glass of lemonade, which she drank thirstily. The walk around the lake had been wonderful, and she had even spotted the two white swans swimming placidly side by side, their long necks bent towards each other, as if in silent communion. That had been a thrill. How majestic they were.

But the whole time, she hadn’t been able to stop herself from wishing it was the Duke squiring her around, instead of his cousin. Lord Christopher was a pleasant enough conversationalist, but her senses seemed attuned only to the Duke. He was the only man she wanted by her side. Her eyes could only see him.

She was still holding her empty glass, thinking about him, when she felt a warm breath on her ear. She stiffened, instinctively trying to turn around, but a firm hand on her shoulder rooted her to the spot.

Her heart leaped. It was him. It couldonlybe him.

“Look over to the west,” a deep voice whispered in her ear. “Do you see those quarters, on the other side of the lake?”

She turned in the direction he indicated. A frisson of sensation ran down her spine. “Yes.”

“You will find me there in ten minutes,” the voice said in a slightly imperious tone. “Meet me there. Make sure that no one sees you slip away. Do you understand?”

Maddie’s eyes widened in alarm. “I… I cannot do it,” she whispered. “It is far too risky…”

“Then make an excuse,” the voice purred seductively. “Tell them that you have a headache and need to lie down. Or some such thing.”

Maddie hesitated. The hand tightened on her shoulder. She felt as if her entire body was on fire now.

She swallowed painfully, before nodding. He withdrew quickly. She didn’t turn around. She was trembling from head to toe. She felt sick and excited in equal measure.

It was happening again. She hadn’t even been able to resist him for even a day. And at that moment, she didn’t care in the slightest.

CHAPTER 12

Maddie approached the door, a wave of nausea overtaking her at the thought of this daring daylight escapade.

I must be mad.Stark, raving mad.

Her heart was pounding hard by the time she reached the quarters by the lake. So hard that it sounded like a drum in her chest. She gazed around fearfully, convinced that someone would see her slip inside. But no one was about.

It had been surprisingly easy to escape. She had done what the Duke asked and told them she had a headache. Lord Christopher had been concerned, offering to escort her to the kitchens for a remedy, but she had managed to fend him off.

Her mama had smiled, telling the gentleman he was so gallant, seemingly more interested in talking to him than concerned about her youngest daughter’s splitting headache.

Augusta and Selina had still been embroiled in their game of croquet and didn’t even notice her vanish. It had almost beentooeasy. She was starting to realize that this game of theirs was entirely possible. She was not duplicitous by nature and wasn’t familiar with the nuances of deception, the games that must be played to achieve what she wanted.

The quarters were seemingly rundown, looking like they belonged to a gamekeeper or some other servant. She wouldn’t have even glanced at them in passing. Her hand was slippery with sweat on the doorknob as she opened the door, blinking rapidly to accustom her eyes to the sudden darkness after the glare of the day.

The place was silent. She walked quickly, noting its layout. It was set out like a house, with a sitting room, a small kitchen, and one small bedroom, which, curiously, led to another room.

She gasped. The room was large and filled with furniture. A chaise lounge, bookcases packed with books, and severalobjets d’art. There were miniature marble sculptures, potted plants, and a large Persian rug in bright colors on the floor. Paintings hung on the walls.

“Do you like it?”

She swung around, her heart racing. The Duke was standing there, with that perpetual amused expression on his face, watching her.

“I renovated it myself,” he continued, his eyes never leaving her face. “Years ago. I collected all the items.” His eyes darkened. “And here it is, as if I never left it. I only had to get the maids to dust it.”

“Your lair,” she croaked, swallowing painfully. “Another one of your lairs.”

He laughed with delight. “Indeed. I have so many that I have lost count. I even keep a harem in one of my houses on the Continent.” He looked straight into her eyes. “Perhaps I could whisk you away to join it. I would rather like that.”

Maddie blushed fiercely, forcing herself to laugh. “You are teasing me. You do not have a harem, Your Grace. And if you do, I am certainly not inclined to join it.”

“Why ever not?” he breathed, taking a step closer to her. “It would be an adventure. And youwantto be an adventuress, My Lady, remember?”

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