Page 39 of Never Dare a Duke
She turned away in retreat, and he followed her into the corridor.
“Feeling like a coward, Miss Shaw?” he called softly.
She turned back to him, her hands laced before her. “Cowardly, Your Grace? I was looking for Lady Elizabeth and did not see her.”
“My sister, awake this early?” He smiled. “You know most of the women are not. And why would you need to speak with her?”
Abigail arched a brow. “I cannot speak with my hostess without a motive? Did you not think a costume dance might inspire questions?”
“Perhaps you only came down so that someone would ask you to go fishing with us.”
She blinked at him. “Do you now need my help against the men, Your Grace?”
He chuckled. It was difficult to remember that she was his opponent. “No, I think I can manage them.”
She turned away with a nod, and he found himself calling, “So what historic costume will you wear tonight?”
She looked back at him over her shoulder, and now it was her turn to appear amused. “We have not yet searched the attics. Perhaps you know something I do not.”
If he wasn’t careful, his face was going to redden like a boy caught where he wasn’t supposed to be. “I had forgotten. It is difficult to keep track of all my sister’s little amusements.”
“Good luck fishing,” she said, before walking swiftly away.
Christopher watched her. It would take forever to discover her motives simply by talking to her. More drastic action might be necessary.
As drastic as searching her room?
He was not that desperate yet.
When Christopher returned home later that morning, he went to his study, and there was the letter he’d been waiting for. He opened and read it, only to come away more confused than before. His friend, a matron who had made a study of Society in the north, did not recognize Abigail’s last name.
Christopher sank into his chair and leaned his head back. He didn’t like being lied to, perhaps betrayed—but was he supposed to ascribe the same words to Lady Gwen, whom he’d known since she’d made her debut? Her family was almost as old and respected as his. How could he believe that she was a willing participant in Abigail Shaw’s misdeeds? Or perhaps Abigail was deceiving everyone?
He wandered to the drawing room and found the women gathering to ascend into the attics for dance costumes. Much to his dismay, Abigail was with his sister. They were laughing and chatting as if they were the oldest friends.
He didn’t want Elizabeth growing fond of a woman who could not be trusted. What would happen when they returned to London? Christopher had no idea whether Abigail could harm his sister—or her reputation.
He couldn’t let that happen. And he couldn’t make Abigail leave, not until he knew what harm she could be to his family.
Furthermore, he didn’t want her to go. The thrill of the chase was upon him; the old Christopher, the reckless one, was fighting to take over. She was a mystery of danger and desire, and he was caught in her web. But in the end, he would be the winner.
Chapter 11
“Where have you been?” Abigail whispered to Gwen, who had finally joined the group of women at the bottom of the stairs to the attics. The men had all decided that their regular evening clothes would suffice as costumes, and had left the house for a shooting competition.
Lady May and Lady Theodosia were looking bored, as if every moment not involving the duke was unimportant. But they made sure to crowd ahead of Abigail at the stairs to get the best costumes. Abigail wasn’t interested in luring a duke; she already had enough of his attention.
Just a couple days ago that would have thrilled her; she would have thought all her problems solved. But now she knew that she was on the edge of revealing too much to him, and he hadn’t yet revealed enough to her. His suspicions worried her.
Gwen was still breathing unevenly. “Heavens, it is such a climb to get from the drawing room all the way up here. I do believe I am perspiring!”
Abigail rolled her eyes. “And it will only make you look lovelier. Now answer the question.”
“Well, I was with the duke, of course,” Gwen said loftily.
As Abigail’s mouth dropped open, Gwen spoiled her image by softly giggling.
“Oh, Abby, it was so amusing!” she said behind her gloved hand. “He was questioning me about you!”
