Page 47 of His Duchess' Wicked List

“I entreat you to not be hasty,” Selina begged. “You should not act when in the grip of such high emotion. We can find a way to work out this muddle. Do not run away, Maddie!”

Maddie stopped what she was doing, turning to look at her friend. “My mind is made up,” she said in an oddly calm voice. “And that is the end of that.”

Suddenly, there was a rap at the door. They both froze, gazing at each other. Maddie could barely breathe.

Another rap, more insistent this time. Maddie couldn’t move a muscle. In the end, Selina walked over to the door and opened it.

“Selina,” a deep, familiar voice said, making Maddie’s heart do somersaults. “I must speak with her alone, Sister. Now.”

CHAPTER 19

“It is highly inappropriate, Daniel.” Selina’s voice was steely. “You know that it is.”

Slowly, Maddie walked towards the door. The Duke was filling the doorframe, towering, almost as if he had grown extra inches. His face was scowling and dark, filled with anger that seemed to have consumed him. She felt a small trickle of misgiving, then squared her shoulders to confront him.

He wasn’t going to push her around.

“There is nothing for us to say to one another,” she stated coldly. “And Selina speaks the truth. Itishighly inappropriate.”

He looked thunderous for a moment. And then, to her surprise, his anger seemed to deflate, rushing out of him. He gazed at her beseechingly.

“Please,” he said in a low, urgent voice. “I know you are angry. I know that you are hurt. I must explain.”

Selina looked unsure, glancing from one to the other.

“Could you leave us, Sister?” His voice was almost gentle now. “Please?”

“I will only leave if Maddie wants me to.” Selina raised her chin and then turned to her friend. “What say you, Maddie?”

Maddie glared at the Duke. It was just like him to try to push his way into her chambers. Just like he had pushed his way into her life. But still… she wanted to hear what he had to say to her. She was leaving this house party, finally ending what was between them, and there would never be another chance.

“You may leave us, Selina,” she said, making up her mind. “His Grace can say what he wishes to say to me. But that is all.”

Selina nodded, but she looked worried. “Please, be quick about it,” she urged as she walked past her brother. “I will stop anyone who attempts to come in here, but I cannot put them off forever.”

“Thank you, Selina,” the Duke said softly. “I mean it.”

Selina raised her eyebrows. She wasn’t smiling. “Thank me later, Brother, when you have resolved this matter properly.”

She left, with one last lingering look at Maddie.

The Duke closed the door, locking it behind her.

Maddie frowned. “What are you doing?”

“I know that Selina said she would stand watch,” he began, walking towards her. “It is just in case someone slips by her.”

“Very well.” Maddie raised her chin, looking him directly in the eye. “You have what you wanted. We are alone. You wish to say something to me?”

He took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. “My mother is lying,” he said in a low, urgent voice. “I have never declared that I intend to formally court your sister. And I willnevermarry her.”

Maddie’s heart skipped a beat. “It rather seems that the cat is out of the bag now. At least a dozen people heard your mother declare your intentions towards my sister, which you did not deny. You cannot dishonor her in such a way.”

He swore under his breath. “My mother cornered me. She knew that I would never contradict her in such a public setting.” He gazed at her intently. “I never said that I wish to court her, never mind marry her. I swear it.”

Maddie’s heart skipped a beat again. He sounded so sincere. He looked sincere. And suddenly, she knew, in her innermost heart, that he was telling the truth.

He didn’t want to marry Augusta and had never encouraged her. He had been pointedly staying away from Augusta for the whole party, except when he had danced with her at the ball last night. But even that had been orchestrated by his mother. Maddie had watched the Dowager Duchess push him to do it when she had been dancing with Lord Christopher.

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