Free How the Duke Was Won by Lenora Bell Page B

bed. Trust me on this one.” He paused and tilted his head. “Come to think of it, can we secretly exchange bedchambers? I would be delighted to sacrifice myself in your stead.”
    â€œYou really think they would sink to that?”
    â€œAbsolutely. They’re out for blood. You heard Lady Dorothea and Lady Augusta bickering at dinner.”
    â€œYou might have your erotic prizefight after all.”
    Dalton grabbed the bottle. “Why don’t you send them all home and round up a new batch next year?”
    â€œI have to see this through. If you hadn’t noticed, I brought a child with me from Trinidad. Flor’s had a difficult life. I had hoped I might find a wife willing to accept my bastard and provide her some guidance and protection.”
    â€œIsn’t that what the governess is for?”
    â€œGovernesses are a tedious lot. Flor’s dispatched two already. She needs a mother. Someone to smooth her way in society. When I return to Trinidad, I’ll stay for at least a year.” He had no idea how to raise a young girl. Especially a rebellious one who reminded him so much of himself at her age.
    They passed the bottle back and forth.
    â€œWhat about you?” James asked. “Doesn’t your family want you to marry?”
    â€œOf course. My mother would like nothing better, but I can’t. I have my reasons.” His face darkened. “I prefer the faro tables at Brooks’s. Blissfully free of husband-­hunting females.”
    â€œAre you happy?” James asked. “Playing the indolent rake?”
    Dalton put his chin on his fist and stared into the flames, his blue eyes filled with shadows. “I’m on a leash with a narrow circumference, old friend. The club, the tailor, the occasional accommodating widow, back to the club. You’re doing the right thing leaving it all behind.” Dalton shook his head, as if to clear his thoughts. “Enough about me. You have a salon full of females to entertain.”
    â€œWouldn’t want to disappoint them. I’ll have to do something even more shocking. Give them a titillating tale to tell.”
    â€œThat’s the spirit! You do know they’re placing wagers at the club?”
    â€œOn what?”
    â€œ This . His Disgrace’s Bride Hunt. Odds are favoring Lady Augusta, since she’s the only famous beauty. I sent a note placing my wager today. I have intimate information, you know.”
    â€œAnd?” James prompted. “Who did you choose?”
    â€œI’ve got three hundred on Lady Dorothea.”
    James swallowed too quickly and coughed. “You’re going to lose that wager.”
    Dalton smiled slyly. “I don’t think so.”

 
    Chapter 7
    â€œW hat do you think he’ll do next?” Miss Tombs whispered to Charlene. “He’s dressed as a footman, served us outlandish food, and curtailed the meal in a wonderfully unconventional manner.” Her dimples deepened. “Isn’t this fun?”
    Charlene smiled and nodded, only to be polite. This wasn’t fun. This was war.
    And she was an armored citadel.
    The duke was playing games, trying to shock them, catch them off guard. Or maybe he was sending them a warning. That was more plausible. He was taking pains to prove unequivocally that he would never be a solicitous husband, that the ladies could only hope for abandonment at worst and eccentricity at best.
    Miss Tombs settled onto the couch beside Charlene. “You were superb at dinner. What a performance!”
    What did she mean by performance? Charlene searched her face, but her smile was open, friendly, with no malice.
    Â­People saw what they expected to see, just like the countess kept telling her. “Thank you, Miss Tombs. And you were . . . charming.”
    â€œOh, please call me Alice! And there’s no need to lie,” she said cheerfully. “I know I’m hopeless. Nothing to be