Page 16 of Wedded to the Duke of Seduction

“All lies, I assure you,” Leo said with a slight bow. “Dorian was always the least reliable narrator among us.”

“Speaking of reliable,” Dorian cut in, “what sort of friend returns to London and doesn’t immediately call on his oldest companions?”

“I have been rather occupied?—”

“Yes, we noticed.” Dorian’s eyes flicked meaningfully to where Marina had disappeared into the crowd. “Most thoroughly occupied, it would seem.”

Leo’s jaw clenched. “That’s not what I meant. I barely know?—”

“No?” Seraphina’s expression turned knowing. “Then perhaps it has something to do with those delightfully scandalous stories everyone’s reading? The ones featuring the brooding duke with a rather specific set of preferences?”

Leo shot an accusing glare at Gerard and Dorian. “And I suppose you two had nothing to do with confirming the hero’s identity to your wives?”

“Come now, Blackmere,” came a jovial voice as Lord Havelock approached their small group. “You can hardly blame a man for discussing literature with his wife. These stories are all anyone can talk about at White’s.”

“At White’s?” Leo’s eyebrows rose. “Surely gentlemen have better topics of conversation.”

“Better, perhaps, but certainly not more entertaining.” Havelock grinned, clearly enjoying Leo’s discomfort. “Pemberton’s started a wager, you know. Five pounds to anyone who can guess the author’s identity and twenty to the man who can confirm which of your escapades will feature in the next installment.”

Seraphina covered her mouth to hide her smile while Alice suddenly became very interested in the pattern of the ballroom floor.

“A wager,” Leo repeated flatly. “On my private affairs.”

“It’s all in good fun,” Havelock assured him, oblivious to the danger in Leo’s tone. “Though I must say, that scene with the lady’s maid in Paris was inspired. I’ve had to reassess my opinion of French fashion entirely.”

Gerard coughed loudly while Dorian placed a restraining hand on Leo’s arm.

“I do not recall any scene with a lady’s maid,” Dorian said carefully.

“No? It was in the latest publication. The Duke teaches the lady’s maid several… creative uses for her mistress’s ribbons.” Havelock wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “I would lend you my copy, but I’m afraid my wife has hidden it. Says I’ve been getting too many ideas.”

“How unfortunate for her,” Leo replied, his voice dangerously soft.

Havelock laughed. “Indeed! Well, I should return to my wife before she, too, gets ideas—the sort of which I would not approve. Blackmere, ladies, gentlemen.” He bowed and left, still chuckling to himself.

“I don’t suppose,” Leo said once Havelock was out of earshot, “that any of you have read this latest installment about the lady’s maid?”

Gerard and Dorian exchanged glances.

“We may have… heard mention of it,” Gerard admitted. “Though I assure you, neither of us contributed to this particular tale.”

“It is quite popular among the ladies,” Seraphina added, clearly trying not to smile. “Lady Rutherford was discussing it at our literary salon yesterday. She said it gave her a whole new perspective on… haberdashery.”

Leo pinched the bridge of his nose. “Wonderful. Now I can’t even enter a ribbon shop without becoming the subject of speculation.”

“If it’s any consolation,” Alice offered, “most of the ton seems to find the stories more entertaining than scandalous. Lady Rutherford actually mentioned that her husband has been much more… attentive… since she began leaving the stories on her bedside table.”

“It is no consolation whatsoever,” Leo growled though the corner of his mouth twitched slightly. “I am not in the business of improving the marital relations of the ton.”

“Perhaps you should be,” Dorian said with a smirk. “You seem to have a talent for it if any of these stories are to be believed.”

“Entertaining?” Leo’s voice dropped dangerously low. “My personal affairs are being aired like laundry for every gossipmonger in the London ton to pick apart, and you find itamusing?”

Gerard’s smile faded. He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Leo, you know we would never betray your confidences. Whatever details those stories contain, they didn’t come from us.”

“I know.” Leo’s anger abated slightly. “My apologies. I suspect the author has been collecting tales from indiscreet ladies of my acquaintance.”

“And what do you plan to do about it?” Lady Ashthorne asked, her eyes bright with curiosity.

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