Free How to Seduce a Duke by Kathryn Caskie

might have abandoned her earlier, all the angels in heaven were certainly smiling down upon her now.
    Her eyes locked with his, and she bequeathed him a shy smile.
    The edges of his mouth lifted, and he bowed before her. “Miss Royle .” His tone was smooth and pleasing to her ear. Not at all like his brother’s deep voice, which vibrated through her in the most annoying way when he spoke.
    “Lord Wetherly .” Mary bent and dropped a perfectly executed curtsy, having had the benefit of so much practice earlier that day at the Old Rakes of Marylebone Club. Of course, she would not mention that, and she trusted that Lady Upperton would keep that secret to herself as well.
    “I truly must thank you, Lady Upperton , for introducing me to your protégée. I own, Miss Royle and I have exchanged gazes from time to time in Hyde Park , but until this evening, we had never chanced to actually meet.”
    “I am honored you remembered me, Lord Wetherly .”
    Before he could reply, an even broader smile shaped the viscount’s lips as he focused on a point somewhere behind her. “Ah, there you are, Rogan. Do come and meet Miss Royle . She is Lady Upperton’s protégée.”
    The viscount leaned on his cane to reach past Mary and draw forth his brother, who had at one moment or another silently crept forth to stand right behind her.
    Blackstone moved to his brother’s left. He tilted his head to the side a bit, and a crooked grin took hold of his lips. “Miss Royle , is it?” He straightened his head above his shoulders and merely tipped his head to her.
    Lady Upperton nudged Mary in her ribs. “Curtsy, dear,” she whispered.
    Mary smirked up at the duke and bent slightly at the knees. Even that was more than he was due.
    Who did he think he was, giving her naught but a nod?
    “Miss Royle and I have not met until this eve,” the viscount said reprovingly as he shot his brother a loaded glance. “Though, coincidentally, we have crossed paths in Hyde Park on several occasions.”
    “ Hyde Park ?” The duke’s eyebrows drifted toward his hairline. “Then she must be—” He looked straight into her eyes with his piercing gaze.
    Mary felt a familiar hot flush sweep across her cheeks.
    “Ah, there it is, Quinn,” the duke said, gesturing to Mary’s face. “A delicate rose hue.”
    “Yes, well... ” Lord Wetherly shifted his feet in apparent unease, but it was nothing compared to the awkwardness Mary felt.
    She turned her head, breaking free of the duke’s gaze, and peered past Lady Upperton to locate her sisters.
    “Damnation! I know where I’ve seen you.”
    Mary snapped her head back around just in time to see Lady Upperton wave her furled fan in the duke’s direction.
    “Ladies are present, sir,” the old woman scolded. “And it doesn’t matter to me if you are a duke or a prince. I demand respect and I will have it.”
    “I do beg your forgiveness, Lady Upperton , Miss Royle .” He narrowed his eyes at Mary and seemed to study her.
    Mary’s breathing became faster. His words were apologetic, but the mischievous look in his eyes was anything but.
    “I thought I recalled seeing you before, Miss Royle , and now I know where that was.”
    Mary swallowed deeply. Oh no.
    His eyes seemed to widen to twice their earlier size. “Y-you are the statue from the garden!”

Chapter 5
    “A statue?” Mary blinked and raised her eyebrows for effect. Despite the inconvenience of her insides swirling like dried leaves on a windy day, she at least had had a few moments to prepare for Blackstone’s attack.
    It had been fairly easy, in fact, to gauge the Black Duke’s intent once she’d glimpsed the excited movement in his eyes.
    All she’d had to do was imagine the absolute worst thing that could be said or done, which she oft did in any situation anyway, and that was precisely what the brute did.
    “What ever could you mean by that, Your Grace?” Mary tossed a confused expression to Lord Wetherly , hoping to gain