Free The Duchess of Love by Sally Mackenzie

no pebble by his feet; that was a rock.
    â€œI think the hedge over there is trying to get your attention,” Nigel said.
    Drew looked in the direction Nigel indicated. The hedge shook emphatically.
    â€œIf you’ll excuse me, I believe I’ll go commune with nature.”
    Nigel snorted. “Just be sure you don’t come to an unhappy end like these bushes. The garden is obviously full of danger.”
    Drew caught a quick glimpse of chestnut hair and a green-cloth-covered arm, and then another projectile flew through the air to land at his feet. This one was the largest yet. “Indeed it is.”
    â€œShe has a good arm, but she must be tiring,” Nigel said, choking back a laugh.
    â€œAh, but I believe this was sent as a warning only.”
    Another rock landed, this time headed for his toe. He moved his foot quickly.
    â€œThe lady grows impatient.”
    â€œYes. I’m off. If I don’t return by suppertime, send Bugden out to collect my poor corpse. He can dispose of it with the late, lamented bushes.”
    Drew strolled over to the tall, green hedge. What wild bee was in Venus’s bonnet now? Had she come to punish him for not kissing her in the village earlier?
    He wished that were the case; he’d be happy—very happy—to rectify the omission.
    And that wasn’t the only omission he should rectify. Nigel was right. He should tell her now who he was. The longer he waited, the deeper the hole he dug, making it all that much harder to climb out and into her good graces.
    But he didn’t want to tell her, not quite yet. He wanted to know if she cared for him , for Drew Valentine, before he introduced her to Greycliffe. Once the duke was out of the bag, as it were, he’d never know her true feelings.
    He peered cautiously around the hedge. “Did you wish to talk to me, Miss Collingswood?”
    â€œOf course I wished to talk to you, you serpent.” She hissed very much like a snake herself.
    â€œAbout what?”
    Her large brown eyes flashed with temper, and it looked as if steam might come out of her ears at any moment. “You know very well what I wish to discuss. And do come here behind the hedge. Do you want to be discovered?”
    â€œPerhaps I fear for my safety,” he said, stepping behind the vegetative screen. They were in the beginning of the maze. He’d seen it from his bedroom window, but he hadn’t yet had time to explore it. “You were flinging rocks at me, after all.”
    â€œOh, don’t be a cabbage-head.”
    If he remembered correctly, the maze’s center had a sizable tree that looked as if it would shield anyone under it from prying eyes very nicely. Chances were slim he could take advantage of it, but hope sprang eternal. Perhaps he could discover how she felt about him now and then steal a proper kiss before confessing his sins. “Do you know the key to this maze?”
    â€œOf course—and don’t change the subject.”
    â€œI wouldn’t think of it. Let’s stroll to the center and you can show me the way of it.” He tried to take her arm, but she shook him off.
    â€œI’m more likely to show you the way to perdition, you lying blackguard,” she said, “not that you need any directions to that destination.” She strode off.
    He followed her, addressing her back. “Here, now, I never actually lied. I may have let you assume—”
    â€œLet me assume !” She whirled around and pinned him with a venomous look before turning and continuing her brisk pace forward. Her hips swished back and forth in a very enticing manner. “You more than let me assume. I thought the whole point of this garden party was to further Ditee’s match with the duke.”
    â€œEr, yes …” He cleared his throat. What exactly were they speaking of? Best to proceed cautiously. “That is, yes, of course. I think your sister and my cousin would