Page 55 of The Duke's Vice

Candace knocked on the door as she opened it. “I hope I’m not intruding, Lady Beatrice, but a package arrived for you.”

“A package?” Beatrice never received packages. “Thank you, Candace, just put it on my desk. I’ll get to it.”

Candace did as she was told and left the room, shutting the door behind her. Beatrice stared at the box. She had a sneaking suspicion she knew who it was from and she was convincing herself she was not interested.

She stood and walked to her closet, pretending she needed something from it, as if there was some unseen authority who was watching her moves, judging them. She opened her closet then closed it and walked to her bed, passing her desk and the package. Beatrice sat on her bed, staring at the package.

“Oh for goodness sake, just open it. Even if it’s from him you don’t need to do what it says. You can return it and do what you want. Isn’t that the point of your whole list?”

She rolled her eyes. Great. She was talking to herself in the third person. She stood with a huff and trudged over to her desk.

The writing on it was nondescript, with no return address. She rolled her lips as she held the box in her hands.

With a groan she removed the twine and opened the lid. Inside was a very plain looking frock, something a woman in a lowerclass would wear. A note fell to the ground as she pulled the dress from the box.

My dearest mouse,

I hope you’ll do me the honor of meeting tomorrow

night at the usual time at our usual meeting place.

I am looking forward to crossing off number five.

G

Beatrice held the note in her hands along with the dress. She shouldn’t go. She was almost caught last night, it was becoming too risky. And, if there was something between the Duke and the widow she shouldn’t get in the way, especially since she didn’t want anything more from him.

Or did she?

No. A spinster’s life was for her. Which was why she should go, so she could finish her list, which was why this whole situation with the Duke started in the first place. She could probably find someone else to help her with the last two, but that would be timely and she already had a willing participant.

Beatrice looked towards the window again. She had told herself that her relationship with the Duke was a means to an end. Sheshould be glad she was told of the widow, even if there is nothing between the two of them it proved to her that her lines were becoming blurred.

She looked back down to the dress with a nod. She would continue with the Duke, but with a much stronger mental wall to protect her livelihood. She had to, her future depended on it.

CHAPTER 15

Ezra watched as his little mouse scurried under the street lamps. Her shoulders were hunched, and her head down, trying to blend into the background while people stepped out of carriages and into buildings.

He couldn’t help but smile as she rushed in between buildings, hiding her face under hooded cloak.

There was a small, annoying part of him that worried she wouldn’t show up tonight. He knew thetonlived for gossip so he made sure word got out about his inviting Melinda into his box. Even though no one was in the hallway when Beatrice left, he knew how feral people were for a scandal and he refused to cause one.

Plus, it was nice to have an old friend to watch the second act with and she was a similar build as Beatrice. A quick glance could fool anyone.

“Your Grace,” Beatrice’s flush face looked up to him. “It is good to see you again.”

Ezra quirked an eye brow feeling her statement was oddly cold.

His eyes raked over her. She held her cloak tightly against her slight frame, much like the first night they met. Back when she didn’t trust him.

A lead weight began to form in his gut. He pushed the uncomfortable feeling aside. Her stance notwithstanding her eyes seemed dull. The excited glow that radiated from her entire being when she was on the verge of getting what she wanted wasn’t there.

“The honor is all mine, mouse.” He said with a dip of his chin.

She wrinkled her nose. “I rather you not use that nickname tonight.”

Ezra clucked his tongue. Something was off with her. He nearly nodded in acknowledgement and extended his hand to help her into the carriage.

---