Page 69 of A Duke But No Gentleman
He lightly touched the wound Imogene had given him.The mending flesh felt hot and tight as he smiled absently.He would bear the lady’s mark for the rest of his life.In many ways, the scar bound them in a manner that holy words and a ring could not.
“It is nothing,” he said dismissively.“What providence has brought you to my door, my lady?”
She blushed, and the heightened color on her cheeks added to her beauty.“I—no one has seen you in weeks.There were rumors that you were ill, and it appears the gossips were correct for once.”
Norgrave wondered what other rumors were connected to his name.According to his solicitor and a few friends, Blackbern did not seem to be mourning the loss of their friendship.Imogene had been notably absent, but the speculation about her was tied to his former friend.Blackbern had been seen in the company of the lady’s father, and the older gentleman seemed to view him favorably.Some believed it was a matter of time before a formal offer of marriage was announced.
Honorable bastard.
Norgrave had expected Blackbern to be angry about his claim on Imogene, but he also expected him to sever all ties to the lady.The duke would comfort himself with the knowledge that his cooling affections would protect her from the marquess’s future advances, but the truth was, his former friend abhorred emotional entanglements.In the past, he had yielded to all of Norgrave’s challenges because the women had meant nothing to him.
And yet, Blackbern appeared to be more dedicated to Imogene than ever.His actions were unexpected and exasperating.
“As you can see, I am quite healthy,” he said cheerfully, masking his dismay that all of his calculated moves regarding Imogene might not come to fruition if Blackbern was determined to claim her for himself.
She refused to meet his gaze.“And what of the gash on your face?”
“A humiliating accident,” he smoothly lied.“Understandably, I do not wish to speak of it.”
“Of course.”
Such an agreeable little bird, he thought, as he took her hand and led her to the sofa.“So you missed me?”
“Oh!”Lady Charlotte’s eyes widened in shock as he accurately deduced the true reason for her visit.“I”—she gulped and stammered—“yes.I have missed our brief chats.”
Norgrave could not recall the subject of a single conversation he had shared with the chit.It was nothing personal.The only topic he enjoyed centered on him.Like all vain creatures, he had lingered and basked in her worshipful glances, while he sought more spirited challenges.
Like Imogene.
He discreetly studied Lady Charlotte, and considered the possibilities.In truth, she was a poor substitute for the lady he desired.Nevertheless, her family had connections that could be used to stave off Blackbern and his allies.If he controlled his somewhat depraved appetites and temper in her presence, she could be useful.
He leaned in subtly, and tenderly took up her hand.“I must confess that I have missed our chats as well.”
She smiled broadly at his admission.“Then I am happy I did not talk myself out of visiting you this day.”
“How many times did you have to dissuade yourself from behaving recklessly?”
“Too many times, my lord.I have lost count,” she breathlessly admitted.
Lady Charlotte was appallingly easy to manipulate.Norgrave predicted he would be bored with her by the end of their visit.Fortunately, he had a respectable stock of wine and brandy in the cellar.With enough brandy coursing through his system, he might even believe the lady was Imogene.
“Ah, have I mentioned that I have a weakness for reckless ladies?”
***
As Lady Ludsthorpe’s ball drew closer, Imogene expected the butler to announce the Duke of Blackbern’s arrival, but he had kept to his word and he had stayed away from her.Instead he courted her from afar.Not a day went by without their butler or the housekeeper presenting her with a new gift from her betrothed.In the beginning of their blossoming friendship, he had offered her heart-melting kisses and his beautiful, flawless muscled body before he thought to offer her his heart.Her hesitation to believe that his love was genuine had struck an unintended blow.He might have deserved her disdain if she had learned of his and Norgrave’s wager a month ago, but his tender care after Norgrave’s cruelty had been a balm to her wounded soul.If she did not quite trust her instincts, she only had to look to her family.They had accepted him into the family, and now everyone was waiting for her to come to her senses.
If only her decision was based solely on hurt feelings.
Imogene had already forgiven Tristan for agreeing to the wager.She understood that his decision to pursue and seduce her had started out for selfish reasons; however, his presence had deterred Norgrave from carrying out his nefarious plans.If the marquess had been a good man, the wager might have ended with Tristan as the declared winner.To her deepest regret, Norgrave was not a graceful loser.Nor did he plan on allowing her to escape unpunished for choosing the wrong man.
If everything had gone as planned perhaps she would have walked away from both gentlemen—heartbroken, albeit wiser.
Imogene smiled at the absurd thought.Tristan had no intention of allowing her to escape him.Even though he was keeping his distance, a day had not passed without a messenger knocking on their front door with a note or a gift from the exasperating man.
“I did not court you as I should have,”he had written in his first note.“Pray accept my tokens of affection and dream of me, darling.”
Tristan had sent her a yellow-green canary in an iron and ivory birdcage on the first day, and enameled scent bottles with her favorite fragrance on the second.On the third day, a pair of silver shoe buckles with paste stones arrived, followed by a ruby and pearl pendant attached to a gold and enamel chain, a small garnet ring, and a delicate hand-painted fan.He included his calling card with each gift, and had written three words on the back.
