Page 59 of A Bride for the Duke of Sin

She saw the hint of a smile on Morton’s normally stoic features.

“His Grace said that he had never called on you before,” he told her. “He would very much like to try doing so now.”

“His Grace has rather… unconventional ideas,” she murmured.

Still, she could not help but smile as she looked at her husband’s card. It was deceptively simple, and yet it conveyed his status and wealth from a single glance.

Perhaps it is time I have my own cards created, as well.After all, the Duchess of Sinclair cannot embarrass her husband with a shabby card.

“Very well, Morton.” She smiled. “Do send word to His Grace that my schedule has been appropriately cleared as he advised and that I shall be waiting for him this afternoon.”

“As you wish, Your Grace.”

The butler bowed and moved to exit the room when Phoebe suddenly thought of something.

“Ah, before I forget, Morton,” she said, biting her lower lip. “I’m afraid I am not quite familiar with His Grace’s tea preferences…”

How could a wife not know what her husband liked? If her mama ever found out about it, she would probably cry in disgrace.

But Morton just smiled at her. “His Grace advises you not to worry at all, Your Grace. He has his plans.”

Phoebe could not help but shake her head and smile at that. How very like Ethan to have thought of everything and still leave her on tenterhooks, wondering as to what he will do next.

After the butler left, she happily ate her breakfast, her appetite miraculously restored.

“Well, what did she say?”

Ethan looked at Huxley with great impatience, tapping his foot on the thick carpet. He only realized how foolish he must have looked when the valet regarded him with mild surprise.

“Her Grace sent word just now that she will clear her schedule as advised and that she is expecting you for tea in the afternoon,” the valet relayed.

“Fantastic!” Ethan grinned, clapping a cheerful hand on the poor man’s shoulder. “And do not forget those bonbons! The Duchess of Blackthorn claims they are her favorite.”

Indeed, Alice had been quite surprised when he dropped by Blackthorn Estate well before it was considered polite for guests. Colin, on the other hand, had not been so hospitable and threatened to throw him out the door for disturbing his wife at what he claimed was an “ungodly hour for such foolishness.”

Ever since finding out that his wife was with child, his friend had become even more overbearing, and only Alice could get him to exercise even a modicum of restraint. It was only her soft, gentle reprimand that kept Colin from making good on his threats.

Huxley let slip a slight smile. “Your Grace might also like to know that Her Grace already had her breakfast and expressed great satisfaction with the tea.”

Ethan smiled smugly at that. Pestering Daniel for that new blend certainly paid off, although Ashton did warn him that the next time he barged in on him and his wife during their “reading hour,” he would have him tied up and shipped off to Phoebe with a warning tacked to his forehead.

Would she like that, perhaps?Ropes and games and all…

As provocative as he had been with her, he had been greatly pleased to find that his more lascivious suggestions did not offend her. Rather, she seemedarousedby them.

Imagine that—his innocent, little Duchess apparently enjoyed his wickedness.

Very well, he would make sure that she benefited from that.

One of the great advantages of my roguish ways.And my dear Phoebe shall reap the rewards of my experience.

But first, he must woo his wife—gently and sweetly. Phoebe wanted romance, and he would make sure she would have it.

“Shall I have the blue coat prepared for tea with Her Grace?” Huxley asked him.

Ethan stopped and narrowed his eyes. “Which blue one, Huxley?”

He had a great manybluecoats. He could not be expected to keep track of all of them.

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