Page 11 of His Duchess' Wicked List

“Why did you rush off last evening?” Augusta asked suddenly in a curious voice. “What book did you need so urgently?”

Maddie bit her lip. She wanted to confide fully in her sister, quite desperately. But something stopped her.

Even though Augusta held progressive views about the rights of women, Maddie still wasn’t at all sure how her sister would judge her for making such a provocative list, nor for being so foolish as to lose it.

She chose to ignore the questions entirely. Instead, she sighed. “Augusta… what would you do if someone asked you to do something, so they could do something for you in return?”

Augusta raised her eyebrows. “Such as?”

“It does not matter what it is,” Maddie said, feeling her cheeks turn pink. “I just would like to know whether you think it would be a fair exchange.”

Augusta sighed. “Well, without knowing the particulars of the matter, it is hard to say.” She frowned slightly. “The common wisdom is one good turn deserves another, is it not?”

Maddie’s cheeks were flaming now. She wasn’t at all sure whether the Duke of Everly’s proposition could be classified as such. It felt more like she was making a bargain with the devil himself.

But, on the other hand, there was truth to what Augusta said. And the sad fact of the matter was that she didn’t really have a choice, anyway. Not if she wanted to get that damned list back!

He is probably bluffing.He may demand the kiss, but in all likelihood, he will give it back to me, once that is done.

Her face burnt deeper as she recalled all of the items on the list—and having to capitulate to him to tick them off. Hound’s teeth, what had possessed her to write such scandalous things? Whathadshe been thinking?

“Maddie, whatisthis about?” Augusta pressed, watching her carefully. “You look flustered. It has something to do with why you rushed off last evening, isn’t it? Are you and Selina having a tiff?”

“Oh, no,” Maddie replied quickly. “All is well, I do assure you! I am just speculating!” She paused. “We should go down to break our fast before Mama sets the cavalry upon us.”

Augusta hesitated, then nodded. Maddie let out a silent sigh of relief. Her sister was going to drop the subject and not press her any further.

As they headed downstairs together to the dining room, Maddie formulated a plan, of sorts. He had given her a day to mull over his terms, but if she managed to avoid him, then perhaps his zeal might cool. He might start to feel sorry for her and let her off the hook entirely.

Her heart tightened. He was a self-confessed rake, but he couldn’t bethatmuch of a rake… could he?

Daniel stared at himself in the full-length mirror as his valet adjusted his jacket. His mind was far away, still dreaming about Lady Madeline Cole and the most unexpected chain of events that had transpired in the study last evening.

He had retreated there after the evening meal to escape his mother, who had been staring at him frostily for the entire duration of it. Selina had tried her best to bridge the gap, chattering away like a starling, but it hadn’t worked. The atmosphere had been so arctic that it was a wonder that icicles hadn’t formed.

It might have helped if Christopher had been there, but unfortunately, he had a previous engagement. And so, Daniel had made a hasty escape, before the Dowager Duchess could start on him again with her infernal plan to marry him off as soon as possible. He had needed a glass of brandy badly. Or two. And while he was decompressing, he just couldn’t resist reading that scandalous list again and conjuring in his mind the dark-haired beauty who had so shockingly written it.

And then, as if by divine providence, the dark-haired beauty herself had walked into the room… and he had quickly formulated his plan. Tit for tat.

Lust thickened his blood again. He was itching to see her and start executing the deal. But he had given her one day to think about his terms, so he must restrain himself. And distract himself. He grinned ruefully. It was going to be averylong day, indeed.

“All done, Your Grace,” his valet said, stepping back.

Daniel headed down to the dining room for breakfast. His mother and sister were already seated. The Dowager Duchesswas spreading a thin layer of marmalade on toast. She raised her eyebrows as he took his seat at the head of the table.

“Good morning,” he said in a falsely cheery tone. “I do hope you both slept well.”

“Tolerably well.” Selina smiled widely. “Although I never sleep that well in London. I much prefer my chambers at Stansgate. It is so very peaceful there!”

Daniel smiled at his sister.

Stansgate was their ancestral home, in Kent, just outside of London. They would all be making the journey there very soon—the first time he would see it since his return from the Continent. His mother had plans for a grand house party and a ball, to celebrate his return. After all, the return of the prodigal son demands it.

“I do hope you have not made plans for today, Daniel,” the Dowager Duchess announced, taking a bite of her toast. “For I must insist that you accompany me on a house call.”

Daniel suppressed his irritation with difficulty. His mother had commandeered many of his days in such a way since his return, reintroducing him to the beau monde. He had already spent more tedious mornings and afternoons sipping tea in drawing rooms with vapid people than he would have liked.

He opened his mouth to refuse her, then shut it again quickly. He wanted to keep the peace as much as possible, and it would pacify her. Besides, he didn’t have any particular plans for the day, and it might distract him from thinking about Maddie.

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