Page 12 of A Villain for a Duke

Michael clenched his fists.The woman exuded raw sensuality.Looking at the sway of her hips, and the swish of her skirts.He could feel the smooth touch of her skin beneath all the layers.So many layers.

A coy smirk tugged the corner of her lips.She was coquettish, wasn’t she?Like she knew something no one else did.She definitely had her secrets.He knew that much.

He was about to go looking for her brother and give him a piece of his mind when he caught a handsome fellow approaching Astrid.

Michael’s fists froze.

The man must have made a joke, probably some ridiculous pun that any monkey brain could come up with.Astrid threw her head back and laughed.That glorious sound flooded Michael’s senses.She wasn’t supposed to be laughing with another man.Especially not that man.He was…well, he was overdressed to be frequenting a village.And who was he here with anyway?A man didn’t visit a village alone for Christmas shopping.Where were the women in his life?

Michael watched in horror as Astrid’s hand descended on the man’s forearm.He hoped the wool was itchy on her fingers.

This was enough.He had to stop that vulgar disregard for propriety.Astrid looked up at him and winked.

The man turned his head and caught sight of Michael.

Midstride in Astrid’s direction, Michael watched as the man pulled up his collar and quickly disappeared.Just before Michael reached Astrid’s side, Mavis darted out from behind him and took Astrid’s hand in hers.

Michael stood directly behind the dowager as she said, “Astrid, I just wanted to thank you again for your generous donation to the orphanage.You met a rather urgent need.Your magnanimity is unparalleled.You are always so open-handed with your pin money and liberal with your time.”

Michael watched as Astrid flushed under the compliment.She lowered her voice, but he thought he heard her say, “You and your family are the real heroes.I just do what I can.”

Mavis patted her hand.“Some heroes wear masks, my dear, but it doesn’t make them any less a hero.”

“Thank you,” Astrid said.

“Now, who was that fine looking gentleman?Oh, Michael, I didn’t see you there.”

Astrid demured, “I have no idea.He didn’t give me his name.I—”

“What were you two talking about?”Michael demanded in a harsh tone.

She glared at him.“Not that it’s any of your business…but he mentioned an excellent apothecary shop just down the road.He thought that the women in our group might appreciate it.”

Michael grunted.He wanted to press for more details.For example, what was so funny that she had to laugh loud enough to rival the church bells?

But he withheld his interrogation.Mostly because the dowager duchess jumped in.

“Astrid, you must stop by the shop and pick up a tincture for me.See what they have for megrims, please.I must find another footman to help load some packages into the carriages.”

“Of course—”

“Michael, do be a dear and go with her, please.”

“It would be my pleasure.”Michael ground out.

They walked to the apothecary in a strained stillness, but when they entered the store, they both abandoned the silent stand off.

“The gentleman stated that the rose oil sold here was particularly well made,” Astrid said.

“I’ll just bet he did.”What was the man doing advising Astrid to buy an oil used to heighten romance?

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing.The man looked like a rat.”

“Michael, you didn’t even see his face.”

“I could tell.”

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