Page 24 of The Duplicate Duke
“Females are allowed to participate, so I see no reasonnotto teach you.”He gave her his most charming smile.“Unless you’ve changed your mind.”
She studied him for a moment, eyes narrowed, then nodded.“Yes, I should like that.Good night.”
Miles blinked.Fickle females.First, they nag him to remain friends,family, trick him into being cordial again, and then they desert him for the neighbors.A growl rumbled in his throat.He didn’t care.He didnotcare.
* * *
“Doyou think the duchess is correct about Miles?”asked Gwen, placing the signet ring back in the box with Graham’s cufflinks.She sat on her bed, and called Harry, who leaped up to snuggle next to her, one ear flopped on his master’s lap.
“I do,” answered her mother.“She’s a clever woman.It was an excellent idea to use that ring as an excuse to visit the duke.His Grace was quite amused by our story.”
“I would wager on the duchess’s skills as a matchmaker.She’s quite wise about men.”Gwen stroked Harry’s silken ear, and he snuffled his nose against her hand when she paused.“I wish men were more like you,” she told the dog.
“Will you follow her advice?”
“To the letter,” Gwen said with a grin.
CHAPTER12
The next day
Miles frowned at his plate.The eggs were tasteless, and the coffee was weak.Another sleepless night with Lady Gwendolyn waltzing with him, more kisses, more heated touches.More frustration upon waking.He was becoming obsessed.With her or his dreams?
Both.
He pushed back the plate and crossed his arms over his chest.Where were they?He’d purposely taken his breakfast later so he could dine with them.The footman hovered with the silver coffee pot, but seeing Miles’s cup was still full, he melted back against the wall.“Have the ladies eaten?”he asked.
“Yes, my lord,” replied the footman.“They asked for trays sent to the morning room, where they’re meeting the modiste.”
Fittings.That’s what they were up to.What did she need clothes for?he wondered impatiently, tracing the rim of his teacup.He took a drink and grimaced.Cold.
Of course, she needs clothes you imbecile.
Miles pushed back from the table and marched to the morning room.Empty.He checked the parlor.Empty.The drawing room.Empty.Both bedchambers.No answer.He was successful in the library.Both women occupied the wingback chairs in front of the cold hearth.
“Lord Wickton, good day,” said Lady Greywood.
Lady Gwendolyn glanced up from her book.“Hello, my lord.You look tired.”
He frowned.
“Now you look perturbed.”She cocked her head, one pale brow arched.“Are you perturbed?”
“Yes!I mean, no, of course not.Why would I be?”he demanded.
She shrugged.“I was only asking.”Her blonde head bent over her book again.
He noticed the bottle-green dress complemented her golden skin.Her teeth chewed at her bottom lip as she scanned the pages of her novel.The same bottom lip he had ravished last night in his dreams.
“When do you want to attempt the archery lesson?”he barked.
Lady Gwendolyn peeked over her book, blue eyes wide.“Whenever it is convenient for you, my lord.”
Good.He was back in control.Miles raised his chin and straightened his shoulders.“Nowsuits me.”
“What has your temper up, Cousin?”asked Lady Greywood in a mild tone.“You seem out of sorts.”
He realized he had both their attention.Miles let out a long breath.“I apologize.I have not been sleeping well.I didn’t mean to sound like a blustery old man.”
