Page 60 of The Duke's Vice

“Remember who we are tonight, mouse. I am a solicitor by the name of Thomas Linden and you are my beautiful wife, Colette, who I want to show off.”

Beatrice couldn’t ignore the jolt of electricity that zipped through her at the word ‘wife.’

“But what about the wi-”

Graham raised his hands to cut her off.

“No worries, tonight, little mouse.” Graham thought a moment before his eyes lit up with mischief. “How about tonight, we step into one of your books. You’re the heroine. What would Colette, the book heroine, do?”

Beatrice chewed her bottom lip. She desperately wanted to know the truth about his relationship with the widow. He didn’t seem surprised when she opened the door. Why would he bring her here and call her ‘wife’ knowing the widow would be here?

Perhaps they aren’t together.

She eyed Graham who was waiting with a casual look on his face.

“You really are comfortable here, aren’t you?”

Graham smiled and nodded. “I am. But you’re avoiding my question. Stop thinking. And start asking yourself what would Colette do?”

The various plot lines she had devoured for years barreled into her thoughts. Stories of young women finding adventure in stolen stagecoaches, others who were detectives trying to solve a murder, she even read one where the young woman was captured by pirates and had to escape. Each one of those women shirked the rules society placed on them and did what they needed to do.

Beatrice looked around the room then back to Graham. “Colette would throw caution to the wind and let her new husband show her a good time.”

Graham’s eyes heated. “Well, we’ll visit number five from your list another night.” His voice dropped low and rumbled in her ear. “For right now, let’s concentrate on having some more drinks and doing a little gambling.”

His flirtatious comment had butterflies swirling around her stomach. Who knows, maybe checking off number four on her list would lead to checking off number five.

Melinda’s laugh danced amongst the murmurs and clinks of glasses. Beatrice shook her head. Right. It was foolish of her to assume Graham would be willing to complete that item, especially if he is involved with the widow.

She rolled her lips. She really needed to find a way to bring it up.

She took his hand and let him lead her to a table of chance. Graham started explaining the rules of this particular game but her mind kept going back to Melinda. If they were involved, what kind of relationship did they have that she would be all right with Graham not only bringing Beatrice here tonight, but calling her his ‘wife’?

“Sounds easy, right?” Graham’s shoulder nudged hers.

She furrowed her brows. “I don’t know much about gambling, but I hear games of chance are never in the favor of the gambler.”

Graham shrugged as his eyes landed on Melinda who was currently sitting in a man’s lap. Her arm was slung around his shoulder as they both looked at the cards in his one hand.

“Usually I hate losing money. But tonight, we owe our host for saving us from some unsavory gossip.”

Beatrice glanced over to the widow, who was now whispering something into the man’s ear that had his face turning red.

Graham gestured for a barmaid to bring them two mugs. Beatrice waited for the young woman to leave before whispering. “I’m not sure I’m following.”

He took a healthy pull of ale before answering. “The other night, at the opera.”

Beatrice just sat waiting for the connection to hit.

Graham sighed. “I’m sure you heard the gossip.”

Her lips suddenly went dry. This was it. This was when he’d tell her that he was with the widow and this was just something to keep him busy or some other nonsense.

She slowly shook her head, praying she looked nonchalant and unaffected.

“Well, I didn’t want people thinking it was you, and it was our dumb luck that you and Melinda are similarly built. She was the perfect ruse, don’t you think?”

Beatrice looked back to the widow then returned her look to Graham. “Are you saying there’s nothing between the two of you?”

---