Page 21 of Her Wolf of a Duke

Straightening her spine, she set her shoulders back and wiped her cheek. The duke had not left a mark, but she did not like the thought of his touch lingering somehow. She fixed a smile on her face and returned, the others looking at her expectantly.

“Where were you?” Beatrice asked. “Are you alright?”

“I am perfectly fine. I was simply wondering if we would be returning soon, and if I could do so sooner, and so I spoke to the footmen. I am afraid I am unwell.”

“You have certainly been out of sorts,” Sarah nodded. “I can accompany you home, if you wish.”

“No, it is perfectly fine. You have a baron to play Pall Mall with.”

“He will understand. I would much rather ensure you are well. Besides, if you are not here then Father will have to chaperone, and we both know he will not be happy with that.”

“I shall chaperone you,” Cecilia offered. “Emma will only feel worse if she knows she has ruined your afternoon. Is that not right, Emma?”

“Yes, quite.”

And so, after an apologetic look from Sarah, she returned alone. The Duke of Pridefield was happy for her to do so, and instructed the footmen to find a maid for her so that she could be taken care of. Rake he might be, but he knew how to follow the rules of civil society.

If only she could say the same of the Duke of Lupton.

CHAPTER 7

Levi hated how he had acted, but he tried not to blame himself for it.

At least, he could not blame himself for being accosted once again. He had tried so hard to avoid Miss Winston, but she had a strange need to always be near him. He had been patient that afternoon, deciding that being polite but distant would keep her at arm’s length, but she had taken it as a challenge.

“An incredible shot, Your Grace!” she cheered when he just missed a goal. “You must have been playing this for years.”

“Thank you,” he replied, “but no, I never much enjoyed garden games.”

“You can hardly tell. You shall win, I believe.”

“I am five points behind. It is very unlikely.”

“Well,” she replied, twirling her hair around her finger, “I believe you shall succeed all the same.”

He saw the looks the other gentlemen were giving him, and he wanted to wade out into the lake and dive under the surface. He wondered how long he might have had to hide there before she would leave, but he was quite certain that he could not hold his breath for that long.

“Rosendale,” he asked the Baron quietly when her back was turned. “How much for you to throw this game?”

“I am only fourth, Lupton,” he replied. “It is hardly a close game, either. Smythe has practiced since our last game, I am certain of it.”

“So it shan’t take much for you, then. Might you hit your ball over to that group of ladies? It is my understanding that you are courting Miss Sarah, after all. You should ask her to join us.”

“Indeed.” A smile flickered across Rosendale’s face. “Under those circumstances, I am more than happy to make that sacrifice.”

On his turn, Rosendale perfectly hit his ball to the ladies. He had hoped that, in doing so, the presence of another lady would make Miss Winston more inclined to leave him be. Unfortunately, it had only caused her to become bolder, as there were fewer gentlemen there to be witnesses to what she was saying.

“Your Grace,” she said as the others moved to the next part, “I’m afraid I do not feel well. It must be the heat.”

“How unfortunate. Shall I find someone to escort you home?”

“I would rather you did. I feel…I feel very weak. Should I faint, I wouldn’t wish to languish alone in the sun.”

He could have scoffed at her, but it was not worth the trouble. If he sent her back in a carriage, he could at least be rid of her without any further issue, and so he went to Smythe and tapped his shoulder. He explained the situation quickly, and they left for the carriages. It was only a short walk away, and when they arrived Smythe left once more. He was, after all, winning the game, and he did not wish to miss a turn.

“Thank you,” she said softly. “I already feel much better.”

“Then you shall be perfectly fine to return home alone, yes?”

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