Page 33 of The Wrong Duke

“It is for Miss Baker,” he explained. “The same design as the one she just commissioned.”

“Oh?” The seamstress blinked. “And Lady Lindstone...”

“Doesn’t need to know.” He looked down his nose, making sure the seamstress got the message. “It is to be delivered on the same day along with the first. But my name isn’t to be mentioned, understood?”

“Ah, I see.” Her eyes sparkled with the romanticism of it. “Yes, I understand perfectly.”

“And if Lady Lindstone is to ask?” He cocked an eyebrow.

“A mistake was made, and I must have misheard her,” she responded with a coy wink. “Consider it done, Your Grace.”

Evan was quick to leave the store after that, feeling an utter fool for what he’d just done. It was all well and good to tell himself he didn’t care for Miss Baker, but pulling a stunt like that spoke to the contrary. Again, what he needed was a drink and some time to think. To consider what he was going to do and how he would do it. Surely, this was all just fleeting desire and arousal brought on by a morning of heightened passion that had gotten a little out of hand. He could still taste Miss Baker on his lips. He could still feel her thighs wrapped around his head. The way it lingered in his mind... it was no wonder he was such a mess!

Drinking would fix that. By the time he’d had a few glasses of whiskey, his mind would be clear, and he’d be more willing to admit that his actions this morning were borne from necessity and nothing more. It was David whom he cared for, and it really was that simple.

Even so, as Evan wandered through the streets of London, he couldn’t help but picture how wonderful Miss Baker was likely going to look in said dress, and whenever he did, he couldn’t stop himself from smiling.

CHAPTERTWELVE

It should have been a perfect situation. And indeed, had this been just the previous evening, Amelia would have counted herself as lucky and been glad for it. Her father most certainly was as she caught him watching her time and time again, a satisfied smile on his lips and an approved nodding of his head whenever their eyes met.

This, however, wasn’t the previous evening, and as such, Amelia couldn’t find it within herself to feel excited. Guilt was what she felt. Shame, also. And that nagging sensation that she was doing something wrong, even though she knew that she wasn’t. She played her part well, and for those watching, it appeared as if she was having the most splendid time. But deep down, hidden from all but her own psyche, Amelia wished that she was anywhere else.

“I think you’re cheating,” Lord Malnor chuckled and shook his head as if he were upset. “That’s the only possible answer I can think of.”

“How dare you,” Amelia gasped and held a hand to her mouth.

“Dare I do.”

“It seems to me that you’re choosing to ignore the obvious.” She raised an eyebrow at him, and he indicated for her to explain. “That I’m just a lot better at this than you are.”

Lord Malnor blew through his lips. “I’ll never admit to such a thing — Lord Lindstone!” Lord Malnor looked over his shoulder. “Are you aware that your daughter is hustling me?”

“Now, now, Lord Malnor, there’s no need for that sort of talk,” Amelia’s father chuckled from the corner of the drawing room. “And in this instance, I’m inclined to agree with my daughter.”

“Nepotism!”

“Reality,” Amelia chided as she laid her cards down on the table. “Flush. That’s four points to me.”

Lord Malnor’s face dropped. “Do I need to check your sleeves, Miss Baker? Or under that cushion that you’re sitting on. Surely, you have cards hidden away that you’re using to —”

“I would never!” She widened her eyes at him in warning. “Now, are you going to show me your cards? Or are you at that point where admitting defeat and giving up is the easier option? Surely, it will save us all time?”

Lord Malnor looked at her flatly, sighed to himself, and then laid his cards on the table. “A pair. Two points.”

“Oh, good for you,” she mocked as she moved her peg on the board up four spaces. “Look at that...” She moved Lord Malnor’s up two spaces; it was still some distance behind her own. “You’re catching up.”

“Hardly.”

“Yes, well, I was being nice.”

It might have sounded mocking. It might have even sounded rude and unbecoming of a lady such as Amelia was, but it was all in good fun, and Lord Malnor knew it. He rolled his eyes and took a sip of his brandy, pretending to be upset while unable to hide his grin beneath the lip of his glass. And Amelia, aware that her father was watching, knowing the role she was meant to play, giggled to herself and suppressed a small smile which she made sure Lord Malnor could see her doing.

Again, the situation should have been perfect. Finally, after a week of trying, she had Lord Malnor to herself. The drawing room that they were in might have been home to another ten people of the moment, but they were inconsequential and hardly worth noting. Right now, it was just Amelia and Lord Malnor, sitting by the fire, playing cribbage together because it was a two-person game so just perfect for the task at hand.

As to that task? Seducing Lord Malnor, of course.

And it was working too. At least it felt as if it was. All night in fact, Amelia and Lord Malnor had been left to speak with one another, rarely having to worry about the company present around them because as far as they were concerned, it did not exist. As they supped at the end of the table, sitting across from one another, they spoke like old friends, sharing a joke here and there and laughing at things that Amelia could not remember. And after supper, when drinks were had, Lord Lindstone was careful to section them off and then keep guard so that they were not to be disturbed. And now that the night was drawing toward its end, it was just the two of them, playing cards and sharing in one another’s company, finally getting to know the other as should have happened over a week ago.

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