Page 26 of Good Duke Gone Rogue

“Yes, Charlotte told me the story. It appears you are to thank for them finding love.”

With a scoff and a wave of his hand, he said, “I’m sure they would have found it. Eventually. Perhaps none were more surprised than the two of them. On top of everything, she snagged herself a duke.”

“I thought she married your friend, the Colonel.”

“She did. Turns out he’s the Duke of Greyshire. He didn’t even know, but he found out when he ended up in Scotland. Of all people, the man who proposed to Charlotte was the one who told Quinn he was a duke.” Reggie shook his head. “It all worked out though.”

“The Duke of Greyshire?” Bernadette was befuddled. “Your brother-in-law is the Duke of Greyshire?”

Reggie bobbed his head in affirmation.

Almost giddy that the universe would gift Bernadette with this wonderful twist of fate, she stifled a giggle. “Your good friend and brother-in-law is the Duke of Greyshire?”

“I believe I have confirmed both of those attributes more than once now.”

“You have, indeed.” A smile split her face.

“Do you know him?”

“I do not.”

Reggie cocked a brow at her. “Then why, pray tell, the noteworthy ebullience?”

“Reggie, you have just made my day.” Perhaps my future. She almost added. “I have something to show you.” Completely forgetting her needs to wash up, she beckoned him to follow her.

Quickly, she took off toward her bedchamber. Almost a run, but not quite. More of a skip. Perhaps a prance. She was delighted beyond words. Kismet was on her side. Breathless, she pushed open her door. “Come, see.” She strolled into her room to retrieve the note, realizing only after it was in her hands that Reggie had remained tucked under the doorframe.

“Come in,” she waved.

“Detta, you do realize this is your bedchamber, do you not?”

Her cheeks flushed.

Leaning back, he checked the corridor, then leaned back in and lowered his voice, “And unless you want me to ravish you again…”

Twice in only a few short hours. Her lungs were growing short of breath. It would be too good to be true for him to take her again…her mind traversed down the path of erotic thoughts. Splayed out on the bed underneath him. Pressed against the back of the door. A shiver shook her back into the present.

“You’re quite right. I nearly lost my head.” She walked over to him, unfolding the note with each step. “I have to show you something.” Extending her arm to him, he took the sheet into his hands.

His eyes scanned the words while measures of curiosity, bewilderment, and understanding crossed his face, one after the other. “This is very intriguing, Detta.”

“I know,” she sighed. “I didn’t know what to do with it. But I’ve just had an epiphany. It happened while I was riding Vi. I know how to buy myself time. I have a plan.”

“You need to buy yourself time?”

“I’m blabbering nonsensically. I’m just so excited.”

“I wish I could excite you that much.” At the blurted words, he looked as surprised as she felt.

Though she didn’t want the sentiment to hang between them awkwardly, she didn’t want to delve into how he made her feel exactly.

“I’m afraid you do,” she murmured, averting her eyes from his gaze. And before he could reply, she continued, “I need to buy myself time if I don’t want to settle for another relationship. I need time to figure out what’s best for me.”

If Bernadette had been watching Reggie, she would have seen the flicker of pain and confusion cross his face. But she hadn’t been watching. She was focused on herself and her plans. And she knew Reggie would always be there for her. He had always been there for her, and even though things were different between them, surely he was still her friend.

When she finally looked up and asked, “Will you help me?” she was expecting the half smile on his face.

“Of course, I’ll help you any way that I can.”

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