Page 47 of The Duke's Lesson in Love

She frowned. “I thought you liked my dresses.”

“I adore them…but added layers will keep me busy for hours as I rid them from you.”

“How is more clothing between us to my advantage, Your Grace, when all I desire is to ravish you?”

Gill snorted. “Saucy wench.”

“Now tell me, who did you hire to fit my new wardrobe?”

“You’ve already met him.”

Her eyes widened. “Jacques? The Frenchman from the little town?”

“The very same.” He smiled when she squealed with joy. “Now kiss me, wife.”

Circling her arms around his neck, she did exactly as he asked. Kissing him hungrily and with all the love filling her heart. Just then, she didn’t care if they were in the study, Sadie wanted all of Gill. To feel the press of his body, unclothed as he filled her…

“My Lord, Madam, you cannot go in there! Lord Gilleasbuig is not receiving callers at the moment,” Hodgkin shouted.

“You said the same on my last visit,” the man said. “Do you think I am a fool?”

“My Lord! His Lordship is indisposed.”

Gill’s brows furrowed as an insistent clicking of boots against the wooden floors drew closer. At the darkening of his eyes, she asked, “Who are they?”

“My aunt and her son,” Gill said, straightening to his full height.

“We know Lord Gillesbuig was shot,” the woman said.

“Madam, I assure you—”

The women sneered. “Your assurances are lacking. If Lord Gilleasbuig is dead and you have kept my son from his rightful place as your—”

Gill yanked the door wide open. “Is seeing my person assurance enough that I am whole Lady Beatrice? What of you Caleb or would you prefer to check my pulse?”

Sadie couldn’t see the woman’s face, but she heard the audible gasp before Lady Beatrice cleared her throat and made a show of strolling into the room. Her son followed on her heels.

Sadie didn’t miss the annoyed glare the woman leveled toward her son as he passed. Both stood with their backs to Sadie as they faced Gill who hadn’t bothered to close the door.

“Your Grace, I tried—”

“It’s alright, Hodgkin.”

The older woman wore an elaborate gown in deep purple and silver. A high neckline made her throat appear long and slender. Puffed sleeves stopped at her elbows where they met a pair of long white gloves. The color, elaborate style, and lace trimmings said the woman expected to be treated like royalty, yet the color was dark enough to give the impression of sorrow. If the woman hadn’t just announced that she expected her son to be the new lord of Montdale House, Sadie might be convinced she truly grieved the loss of her nephew.

Compared to his mother, Lord Caleb wore dark green. From his trousers to his tailcoat, he was pristine, better suited for life in the city among his peers than in a small town bordering Scotland. As he passed her husband, she noticed how much shorter Caleb was. He wore a powdered wig and Sadie wondered if he was losing his hair.

She contemplated making her presence known then decided against it, opting to study their unwanted guests.

“I find your visit peculiar. Especially after being shot.”

“Of course, we would come at once,” Lady Beatrice said, pulling the tips of her gloved fingers.

The woman intended to stay.

As Sadie watched her husband’s face, she felt his distress. Each time his shoulders stiffened, her heartstrings tightened.

“Pray tell, how did you find out I was shot?”

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