Free Dusk With a Dangerous Duke by Alexandra Hawkins Page A

question and wondered if you would give me an honest answer.”
    The earl halted abruptly, and belatedly Grace realized that they were alone. “A challenge. Go ahead, Lady Grace. Ask your question.”
    Perhaps she should have asked Regan or Sophia. Still, she was no coward. “I have met several of your friends and their wives this evening. All of you have one person in common, and yet all of you have studiously avoided speaking his name. Why is that?”
    His white teeth flashed as he smiled at her. “You are wondering why no one has mentioned the Duke of Huntsley, eh? I cannot speak for the others, though I am not surprised by their reluctance.”
    “How so?”
    Frost held her in place when she tried to continue their stroll. “You are incredibly beautiful. If Hunter had known, he might have reconsidered abandoning you to the country.”
    “Is that what he told you?”
    “My darling lady, Hunter never mentions you at all.” He noted her pained expression and sighed. “And that is why my good friends have avoided uttering the gent’s name. Everyone is uncertain of your plans, and no one wishes to injure your feelings.”
    “You know, don’t you?”
    “That you seek to dissolve this arranged marriage? Yes?”
    “Lady Netherley promised not to speak of it,” she said, furious at herself for confiding in the marchioness. It had been a calculated risk, but she had thought the elderly woman’s friendship with Grace’s grandfather would encourage her to honor her word.
    “Don’t you be angry at the marchioness,” he said in the ensuing silence. “She has known Hunter since he was a lad, and feels you would be better off under his care.”
    She did not bother concealing her skepticism. “And do you agree?”
    “Let’s just say that I have an aversion to the notion of marriage. Hunter has protected you for nineteen years; if he chooses he could continue to do so without the messy complication of a loveless union,” the earl said pragmatically.
    Grace was conflicted. Lord Chillingsworth was the first person in London who genuinely supported her position, and yet she felt strangely insulted that he did not approve of the match with his friend.
    “Do you think His Grace has formed a similar opinion?” she asked.
    “You will have to ask him yourself,” he said dismissively as if he did not care either way. He stepped closer, his body blocking the filtered light from the ballroom. “However, I will share my thoughts if you are interested?”
    “Of course.”
    “Do not marry Hunter,” he said bluntly. “My friend is capable of appreciating your beauty and body, but you will never claim his love. You are so young … innocent. It is the folly of youth to reach for the unattainable, and you will spend the rest of your life regretting it.”
    She could barely swallow as she contemplated the lonely years of being bound to a man who could never love her. “I—thank you for your honesty, Frost. Unfortunately, I happen to agree with you.”
    “I have another confession to make,” Lord Chillingsworth said, his fingers lightly stroking the flesh just above her elbows. “Truth is as deadly as a double-edged sword, and you inspire me to play fairly with you.”
    Grace stilled, sensing his words were important. “You do not always play fairly, my lord?”
    “I avoid it at all costs,” he admitted. “Do you want to know why I approached you this evening, when I had been warned off by several of my friends?”
    “Why?”
    His chin tipped upward as he found his thoughts amusing. “I generally abhor innocent misses like you. No offense, my dear, but you and your dewy-eyed peers are nothing but trouble. And there lies my quandary. My nature is to indulge all of my senses in the forbidden, and you, Lady Grace, most definitely are as tempting as the red, shiny apple was to Adam in the Garden of Eden. I shouldn’t—” He gave her an apologetic look.
    Puzzled, she asked, “Should not do what?”
    “This.”
    The