Page 48 of The Duke's Lesson in Love

“News of you being shot on your lands is all over the countryside,” his cousin said.

Gill cocked a brow. “Then it must be a shock not to find me as dead as my beast.”

“Indeed,” his cousin said, and Sadie stiffened at his bored tone.

“As you can see, I am whole so you needn't bother yourselves with pleasantries.” Gill gestured towards the door, but neither made to leave.

The older woman bristled. “Your mother would have rung the bell for refreshments by now.”

“Why bother?” Gill did not even pretend to be welcoming.

“Good gosh, man. Have you forgotten all your training?” His cousin smeared. “There is little affection between us but surely you remember how to conduct yourself.”

Gill snorted. It was the first relaxed expression since the two entered the study. “Let us dispense of the theatrics, shall we. We both know you are here because you thought I was dead.” He looked at his cousin. “I would not be surprised if it was by your order that my life was in danger.”

“Your accusations are baseless. You have no proof,” Caleb said.

Even to Sadie’s ears, the man’s voice quivered.

“We were once friends before greed blackened your heart.” Gill stepped closer. “I know you. The spineless swine of a man you are that you would hire others instead of pulling the trigger yours—”

The man’s hand curled at his side a moment before his fist snapped forward, hitting Gill in his shoulder. Gill grunted, a second before he returned the blow, his knuckles connecting with his cousin's jaw.

Sadie winced. A snapping sound echoed in the room as Caleb stumbled backward.

Sadie dropped her book onto the floor, reaching Gill’s side as he advanced, her hand covering his. “Leave our home at once,” she said. “You are no longer welcome here.”

Lady Beatrice jerked. “Have you lost your mind, girl?”

“Careful,” Gill growled. “You are addressing my wife.”

“Your wife,” Lady Beatrice gasped, looking between them.

The woman looked close to fainting and Sadie had to work at keeping a straight face. Gill’s earlier claims of theatrics were not wrong. Lady Beatrice’s show of disapproval was the first sign that gaining allies among peers would not be easy. She would not put it past these two to make their public coming out more difficult. If they were capable of hiring men to kill Gill or kidnap Edwin, there was no telling the lengths they would go.

Her chin jutted up.

“Have you not learned from your past mistakes? Of all the women you could bring to your bed, you choose a…a.”

“Nanny?” Sadie supplied.

“A Black!” The older woman hissed.

“Do you know what happened to the last servant whose skirts he lifted,” Caleb asked, “He used her, then tossed her onto the street as if she were nothing. Her child…their child ripped from her arms to hide his shame.”

Gill stiffened under her hands as Sadie asked, “How do you know about Edwin?”

“What matters is knowing he will do the same to you because you are no more than a means to rebel against his parents.”

“You knew all along about Edwin, didn’t you, Lord Caleb? That’s why you tried to have him taken—”

“How dare you, a servant, accuse my son? Caleb is a peer and your master’s flesh and blood!”

“A Duchess has no master, and I will not warn you again to watch your tone when addressing my wife.”

“The child is a blight on our bloodline,” Caleb interjected. “Your mother tried to protect you.”

The older woman cleared her throat. “Besides, the child’s rightful place is beside his mother,” Lady Beatrice said with a dismissive wave of her hand.

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