Page 20 of The Phantom Duke
Simon threw up his hands in exasperation, throwing down the linen towel.
“If you disagree with my decision, you are welcome to leave,” Damien said lowly. “I do not control what you do.”
Simon shook his head. “When you do release the man, he will certainly tell everyone what you have done.”
“And admit to his trespassing? I think not. Besides, I doubt any constable or magistrate would give such a tale credence,” Damien said. “And if one did, I have bribed officials before. It would be but a small matter.”
Simon very admirably tried to hid his horror and mostly succeeded.
Damien took a sip of cider, considering the matter settled. Not that it mattered. He had no intention of relenting, regardless of what the old physician might say.
“What steps have you taken?” Simon finally asked.
Before Damien could answer, there came a rap at the door of the ballroom.
“Come in, Philby!” Damien roared.
The doors opened to admit the butler, who patiently walked the length of the room to where Damien and Simon had set up their dueling square.
“Your Grace, Lady Maria Shelidan of Sunspire is without and desirous of an audience.”
Simon arched an eyebrow, standing up with a groan.
“Send her in,” Damien said.
He had not expected that she would reach her decision so quickly. It had been the night before that he had encountered her outside the orphanage and driven her to the home of the Dowager Countess of Thornwall. Philby turned on his heel and commenced his slow crawl back to the door. He did not have time to reach it before Maria appeared.
His gaze fell hungrily on her delicate figure, soft and womanly. Even though he had been close to her the night before, the night had not afforded him sufficient light to appreciate her appearance.
As she walked, his eyes drifted downward, eyeing how the pale blue fabric of her gown shifted as she walked, revealingtantalizing hints of long, slender legs. Damien inhaled sharply, taking in the scent of orange blossoms and lavender.
“I heard, Your Grace. Forgive my precipitate action, but I wanted to speak to you urgently.”
She stopped as her eyes fell upon Damien’s half-naked body.
No clothing covered the flat slabs of muscle that made up his abdomen or the pectoral on his right side. His left was covered in more red leather, tied across his torso and around his back.
Damien watched her silently, warmth curling inside him at her scrutiny. Something hot and wild flashed in her eyes—maybe curiosity or desire or mortification—but it was gone in an instant. He knew which of the three he wanted it to be.
“Oh, I am sorry,” Maria whispered, her voice echoed by the acoustics of the ballroom, “I did not realize you were…”
She abruptly flared bright red and spun on her heel.
“That is what comes of having urgent business,” Damien said, approaching her and obstinately refusing to cover himself.
If she barges into rooms in someone else’s house, then she risks seeing things she should not.
And her reaction was…interesting. Amusing, but something else. Damien drew his nails along the palms of his hands, imagining how it would feel to pull her flush against him and watch that color rise to her cheeks. Maria was a fiery woman, and he suspected that she would be beautiful when in the throes of passion. His loins stirred at the magnificent image that his mind had conjured.
“What can I do for you, Lady Maria?” he asked, deliberately making his voice low and husky.
Her breath hitched.
“I wanted to accept your proposal. Provided you are willing to accept, in turn, some conditions that I have,” Maria’s voice trembled slightly.
Damien could not help his own sharp intake of breath at her words.
I was not sure such a brave and indomitable woman would accept. It was always a gamble. By God, but this means she will be living here!
