Page 1 of The Duke of Seduction
Chapter 1
Oh heart, know thou conquering hand.
Lush maiden, walking o’er the land.
With a word, she captures your mind,
Leaving life’s burdens far behind.
-FromAn Ode to Miss Anne Berwick
by The Duke of Seduction
London, February 1818
Lady Lavinia Gillinghamslipped into Lord Evenrude’s library and gently closed the door behind her, blocking out the not too distant sound of the ball she’d just escaped. Knowing her time was short, she hurried to the bookshelves, her gaze scouring the spines for the book she sought. Ah, there it was.
The Geologic History of Cornwall.
Her heart picked up a bit of speed as she plucked it from the shelf and settled herself on a nearby settee. A fire burned in the grate, offering light along with the sconces on the walls and a small lantern atop a table near where she sat.
The tome wasn’t terribly lengthy, and yet she still wouldn’t have time to read it all. She’d do her best and perhaps find another opportunity to make her way into Lord Evenrude’s library. He was a member of the Royal Society, and if her parents wouldn’t be shocked and horrified, she’d simply ask to borrow it. Her parentswould, however, be shocked and horrified. So she conducted her research and studies in relative secret.
She soon lost herself in the description of the rocks and dirt of Cornwall and might have believed herself to be there if not for the sudden jolt of awareness that accompanied the soft press of lips—lips?—against her neck.
Gasping, she snapped the book closed and dropped it to the settee as she jumped to her feet. She turned to face the man bold enough to do such a thing. Lord Northam, of course.
Her eyes immediately narrowed. “What on earth are you doing?”
He had the grace to appear contrite. “I beg your pardon. I thought you were someone else.”
“Of course you did.” Lavinia didn’t bother keeping the sarcasm from her tone.
He bowed, his tall, athletic frame bending with grace and elegance. “My deepest apologies. I didn’t mean to interrupt your reading.” His gaze dipped to the book, and he leaned forward slightly over the back of the settee, as if he were trying to read the title on the spine.
“Well, you did. And now I suppose I must leave so that you can meet your…lover.” The word felt strange on her tongue, or maybe that was because she was alone in a secluded place with one of London’s most notorious rakehells.
His eyes widened for the briefest moment. “Er, yes.” He gave his head a sharp shake. “I mean, no. I’ll leave you to your book.”
“How kind of you, now that you’ve already caused considerable disruption. I suppose as soon as I sit back down, your paramour will interrupt me too. No, I should be the one to leave.” She began to step around the settee.
“Well, that is very thoughtful of—”
The sound of the door clicking open cut off his speech. “Hide under the desk,” he hissed. “Quickly!” He turned abruptly and hurried to the door.
Or at least Lavinia assumed that was where he meant to go since she didn’t stand there and watch. She spun about and threw herself beneath Lord Evenrude’s pedestal desk. It was large enough for her to hide under, but open in the center so that if Northam’s lady friend looked toward the desk, she’d likely see Lavinia’s blue dress against the dark mahogany of the wood.
It was, however, the best she could do. In hindsight, she should have dashed behind the curtains at the window. On the other hand, this allowed her to see what was happening in the library.
On the otherotherhand, she probably didn’t want to do that.
“Oh, Northam!” The breathy exclamation floated across the library, and Lavinia watched the sweep of a dark pink, flounced skirt as the woman turned toward the marquess, her hands sliding up around his neck.
Lavinia tensed as the woman stood on her toes, presumably to kiss him. Except Northam clasped her upper arms and gently held her away from him.
“I’m afraid we’ll need to postpone our assignation.”
“Why?”
