Page 17 of His Forsaken Duchess
He leaned back slightly as if considering his next words.
“It began as an accident,” he said. “I was aboard a ship bound for Lisbon when we were taken by a pirate brig. Their captain gave me two options: join them or be left to the whims of the sea.”
Audrey raised an eyebrow, her curiosity overcoming her skepticism. “And you chose to join them?”
“What other option was there?” he replied with a shrug. “Telling them I was a duke would have complicated matters for me.”
She frowned, leaning forward. “And what did you do aboard this ship? Surely, they did not give you a mop and bucket.”
The corner of his mouth twitched faintly. “No, they did not. They were suspicious of me at first, as one might expect. But I soon proved myself useful.”
“Useful?” she echoed, her tone incredulous. “How does a duke prove himself useful to pirates?”
“I have an eye for strategy,” he said simply. “A skill they valued when plotting their next raid. It is remarkable how easily one can adapt to survive.”
Audrey’s lips twitched. “And the mountain lion? Shall I expect an equally improbable tale?”
The amusement in his expression grew. “That particular incident occurred in the Apennines, near Genoa. I was hunting with a group of acquaintances when we inadvertently wandered into the animal’s territory.”
“The Apennines,” she repeated, her skepticism softening into intrigue. “And you confronted it directly?”
“There was no opportunity for strategy,” he said, his tone matter-of-fact. “I was separated from the others and stumbled upon the creature while descending a narrow trail. I was left with little choice but to defend myself.”
Audrey leaned forward slightly, captivated despite herself. “With what?”
He raised his gaze to hers, his expression calm. “A hunting knife. Nothing else was within reach.”
Audrey’s eyebrows shot up. “You faced a mountain lion with only a knife?”
“There was little elegance in the encounter,” he admitted. “It was a fight for survival, and I emerged the victor—but not without scars.”
Her gaze lingered on him, her eyes narrowing slightly. “And yet you speak of it so plainly, as though it were merely an inconvenience.”
His lips twitched faintly. “I find no use in dramatizing such events. The outcome is what matters.”
Audrey tilted her head, studying him. “You’ve led an extraordinary life, Duke. It seems odd that you prefer solitude after such experiences.”
“I have seen enough of the world’s unpredictability to appreciate the solace of consistency,” he replied, his tone unreadable.
The servants returned to clear away the soup bowls, replacing them with the main course—lobster with a creamy mushroom sauce. The rich aroma filled the air, and Audrey busied herselfwith arranging her silverware, hoping to regain her composure. She couldn’t deny that the Duke’s presence unsettled her—not in the way of fear, but something far more disconcerting.
“And you?” he asked suddenly, his voice breaking the silence.
She looked up sharply. “Me?”
“London or Kent?” he clarified, his tone almost casual. “Where do you prefer to spend your time?”
Audrey tilted her head, studying him. “Why do you ask?”
“Because every time you move between them, I see the change in the expense reports,” he said dryly, cutting into his lobster with slow precision. “I find it fascinating.”
She blinked, taken aback. “You track my expenses?”
“I track the household accounts,” he corrected, his expression calm. “Your movements are merely… notable.”
Heat rose to her cheeks, though she couldn’t decide if it was embarrassment or irritation. “A duchess must live as a duchess must.”
“Indeed,” he drawled, his lips quirking into something faintly resembling a smile. “Princess.”
