Free The Duke's Men [1] What the Duke Desires by Sabrina Jeffries

turned for the stairs. “I have no choice. I have
     to make sure Tristan is all right, and I see no other way to do so.”
    He fell into step behind her. “You could write to Mr. Manton in Scotland and let him
     handle the matter.”
    “And how would that get rid of the duke?”
    “You could tell him what he wants to know.”
    “So he can rage over to Paris to ruin Tristan’s future with the Sûreté? Not on your
     life.”
    “You assume that disaster will ensue if His Grace goes off without you, but perhaps
     he will find Mr.Bonnaud and discover that your brother has indeed located his brother.”
    She paused on the landing to glance at him. “I doubt that. I’m sure Tristan has merely
     leapt to a conclusion that won’t bear up under the facts. A duke’s long-lost elder
     brother appears out of nowhere to claim the dukedom? It’s like something out of a
     play.”
    “ As You Like It comes to mind.”
    “Exactly. Which is why I have to be there when Lyons discovers the truth, whatever
     it is.” She continued up the stairs. “Someone has to ensure he doesn’t make Tristan
     bear the brunt of his anger.”
    “Mr. Bonnaud is a grown man, you know. He can take care of himself.”
    She snorted. “No man can take care of himself entirely. I should never have left him
     alone in France.”
    They climbed in silence a few moments before Skrimshaw ventured another remark. “Perhaps
     that is the real reason you wish to embark on this mad journey. Because you miss your
     home, and you’re seizing your chance to return.”
    Halting at the top of the stairs, she considered that possibility. “Perhaps. I do
     miss Paris sometimes . . . the people, the food, the art.” She headed down the hall.
     “But I like London, too. That’s the trouble—in a perfect world, I would visit both
     regularly . . . and Venice and New York and even Timbuktu.” A long sigh escaped her.
     “But it isn’t a perfect world, is it?”
    “No.” He stayed her with one hand. “Which is why you shouldn’t be going off with a
     stranger. You don’teven know the man, yet you mean to travel with him?”
    “We’ll be crowded into coaches and packets with several other people, for pity’s sake.
     What can he do? And as sister and brother, we’ll have separate rooms at any lodging,
     so I needn’t worry.”
    Skrimshaw narrowed a particularly stern gaze on her. “You told the man you’d play
     his mistress if that’s what it took.”
    Lord, he really had heard everything, hadn’t he? “All right, I’ll admit that was foolish
     of me, but I was trying to make a point. And I didn’t mean I would actually be his mistress. He knew that.”
    “Did he?” Skrimshaw sounded skeptical. “Take care, miss. You’re letting the gentleman’s
     high rank, fine attire, and subtle flatteries sway your good judgment. ‘All that glisters
     is not gold.’ ”
    “I realize that. Still, do you think I learned nothing from Maman? I know how easy
     it is to fall under such a man’s spell—and how dangerous. I’m well shielded against
     such nonsense. You’re worrying over nothing. It will be fine.”
    “I daresay Mr. Manton would think otherwise if he were here.”
    “Ah, but he’s not here,” she said with a wave of her hand. “And why do you care what
     he thinks? With me gone, you can begin rehearsing the part of Diggory in She Stoops to Conquer. It might lead to greater things.”
    He eyed her askance. “Yes, like being turned off for allowing you to travel with the
     Duke of Lyons on some wild expedition to France.”
    “What a bag of moonshine. Dom would never turn you off.” When he still looked nervous,
     she added, “I won’t let him—I swear it.”
    “And what am I to tell people if they ask where you have gone?”
    “Tell them I went with Dom.” She steadied her shoulders. “I know what I’m doing. Go
     enjoy being in your play, and don’t fret over me.” She headed for her room. “But first,
     fetch