Page 1 of The Duke's Stolen Heart
Chapter 1
“It appears, my lord,” the Duke of Havencrest’s footman spoke nervously after clearing his throat, “That the lady has declined your invitation to dine.”
“Indeed.”
Havencrest did not turn away from the window. He brooded down at the light snowfall turning gray in the street below. How dare she refuse him? A common thief did not decline a duke, no matter how much she disliked him.
Two days prior he had sent the American woman a letter.
Dear Miss Lowry,
I believe you have something that belongs to me.
You are invited to supper tomorrow at eight to discuss arrangements for its return.
Cordially,
The Duke of Havencrest
Although the object in question was not, technically speaking, his, Havencrest intended to have it. No mere thief could hope to hold out against him. Not with Bow Street in pursuit for her pilfering London’s ladies’ jewels all throughout the fall season. A word from him, and Miss Antonia Lowry would find herself on the business end of a hangman’s noose. The gall of her refusal cracked his reflection’s stony mask into a ghost of a smile. He moved back toward the lamp and examined her letter as if trying to discern any hint of encouragement in the looping feminine scrawl.
Dear Lord Havencrest,
I find my diary is full.
Yours,
Miss A. Lowry
The brevity of her dismissal wounded Havencrest’s pride. The more he reflected upon it, the more the venom of her rejection stung.It is just like a woman…He quelled the thought, unfinished.
Havencrest tore his first reply, and a half-dozen after it, into pieces which he fed to the fire. What might be sufficient inducement to a woman of great intelligence, uncertain breeding and a dearth of morality to help a man who occupied the highest echelons of society?
Fear. He knew her secret—or strongly suspected it—and Malcolm Hepworth Dunn, fifth Duke of Havencrest, was not above using all the immense power of his station to frighten the little thief into compliance with his wishes.
Miss Lowry,
Light fingers cannot assuage a heart heavy with guilt.
My residences, this evening, or you shall soon receive an interesting visit from Bow Street.
In all sincerity,
The Duke of Havencrest
Her response came within the hour. Her brazenness punched like a boxer’s blow to his temple. His heart thudded heavily as he read.
Your Lordship,
What makes you think I feelguilt?Bow Street is welcome to visit me at my residence with Lord Evendaw and his family in Clermont Street. I encourage you to broach the topic of a visit with Lady Evendaw, whom would undoubtedly welcome a visit from such an esteemed personage as yourself. In fact, I cannot imagine what a man of your stature might want with a simple American visiting from abroad. Nothing proper, I expect.
Regretfully,
Miss A. Lowry
If his quarry was acquainted with the concept of fear, she did not reveal it easily.
“Sir,” prompted the footman after a long silence. “Do you wish to dine alone?”
