Page 8 of The Wrong Duke

“I don’t deny it,” she said coldly as she gained composure. “And believe me, if I had known that it was you who I was speaking with, I would have never —”

“Embarrassed yourself? Too late for that.”

“Bothered with so much as a curtsey,” she said, her words like ice on her tongue. “His Grace, the Duke of Northrade. Ha! Everyone knows what a cold fish you are. In fact, better that you were a cold fish. It might have been a better kiss.”

Evan’s anger flared, and he had to remind himself where he was and what he was doing. Nostrils flaring. Eyes flashing. He forced a friendly smile to his lips and even offered a chortle and a shake of the head, but his tone was like acid. “That’s not funny.”

“Who said I was trying to be?”

“The fact is, you tried to take advantage of my friend, and it stops here. Understand? I won’t tell you again.”

“Is that a fact, is it? I wasn’t aware that you were Lord Malnor’s keeper. Does he know?” She cocked an eyebrow at him.

“I am his best friend. Even if I wasn’t, I’d tell you the same. He doesn’t deserve what you’re trying to do to him. And if you think I’m going to just stand by and let you use him for reasons that I don’t have to try very hard to imagine...” He looked down his nose at her. “...think again.”

“And what reasons might those be?”

“You know very well what I mean.”

The music picked up its pace, and Evan and Miss Baker sped up their waltz, moving to their right in time with the other dancers, forced to press their bodies even closer lest they lose balance. To anybody watching, it might have looked as if they were having the most pleasant of conversations, and it irked Evan beyond comprehension that come tomorrow, half thetonwould be talking of the two as if they were a pair.

“The kiss that I shared with you was a mistake,” Miss Baker agreed. “And believe me, it is not one that I relish in.”

“If that’s the case, you ought to be more careful of who you kiss. Or is this a common occurrence for you?”

“But the insinuation that I am trying to... to trick or take advantage of Lord Malnor like some harlot could not be further from the truth. And quite honestly Your Grace, I am insulted that you would suggest as much.”

Evan blinked. “Do you really expect me to believe that?”

“I don’t care what you believe.” She fluttered her eyelashes at him, and her smile widened. “The simple fact is that what I told you earlier is the truth. I have heard a great many things about Lord Malnor, and he sounds like a true gentlemen.” She smirked. “A shame the same can’t be said of you.”

“How dare you.”

“And when I sought him outside, my intents were pure. I simply wished to chat and meet the man. Surely, you can’t hold that against me?”

“And the kiss?” Evan hissed. “How do you explain that?”

“A mistake,” she said simply. “I lost sense of my inhibitions. Not my finest hour, I admit. But I assure you that it was not a nefarious plot aimed against your friend. And to be perfectly honest with you, Your Grace, the fact that you would besmirch me like this...” She clicked her tongue. “...it really says more about you than it does about me.”

Evan couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Was this woman serious? It certainly sounded as if she was. The conviction in her voice, the way she twisted his words to make it seem as if he was in the wrong... Why, he almost thought to apologize.

As they danced, he looked at her — really looked at her. She was pretty, he decided. Far too pretty. An elegant face with small features, eyes that were as mischievous as her tongue was untamed, one whom he knew David would fall for the moment he laid eyes on her. And she was clever also, of that he had no doubt. Clever enough that she knew what to say and how to say it. Clever enough that were Evan not so distrustful, had he not met her type before, he might have believed her.

“Nice try,” he said with a cocky smile, “but I’m afraid you’ll have to do better than that.”

She scoffed. “I’m not trying to do anything.”

“And you won’t, either. Now, I have been perfectly fair to you, Miss Baker. But I must warn you, if you continue in your pursuit of my friend, I’ll have no choice but to tell him what transgressed between us. Understand?”

Her eyes widened. “You wouldn’t.”

“I would. I don’t want to. I would hate to put your reputation at stake but... such is my concern for his well-being.” The music suddenly began to slow, and Evan made sure to beam as he and Miss Baker came to a gentle stop. He then took a step back and bowed deeply, holding eye contact, ensuring she saw the warning in his eyes.

And she held that stare, her expression cold. Oh, she had heard him all right, but whether or not she would believe him... somehow, he doubted it.

“Is that all?” she said with a feigned smile and a curtsey.

“I really do hope so,” he responded coolly.

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