Free The Duke's Alliance Book Two: A Dangerous Husband by Fenella J Miller

Bagshot, and the two girls were giggling and taking stock of the single gentlemen who were there.
    Her gaze followed Carshalton and she was pleased to see he was heading for the music room. She made her way in the same direction and took her place at the piano at the far end of the room. The chairs from the ballroom had been arranged in rows for the expected audience.
    She had already placed her music on the stand so had no need to search for it before she sat down. She was busy setting it out when he spoke from beside her.
    'Allow me to turn the pages for you, Lady Madeline.' She was about to refuse but he leaned closer and whispered in her ear. 'I'm not going to perform myself so by helping you I'll seem to have participated in this event. I don't want to be seen as a curmudgeon.' His wicked smile when he said this reminded her he was a dangerous man in more ways than one. 'I'm hoping you will partner me in a game of cards when you have done here.'
    'Very well, I should be delighted to have your assistance. My sister and her friend are going to sing after I've played so I'll be remaining here for that as well.'
    He nodded amiably and took his position beside her. 'As long as you can escape immediately afterwards – I'll wait for you by the door.'
    The noise in front of her slowly abated and she launched into a spirited rendering of the latest sonata by Pleyel. For a man averse to playing he appeared to be able to follow the music well enough. As the last notes died away the audience clapped loudly.
    Lucinda and Giselle glided gracefully to the space in front of the piano. They were singing two lively Irish airs for which she had no need of music. The girls had pretty voices and soon everyone was joining in the choruses.
    All three of them curtsied and then made way for the next musician. To her astonishment the twins came forward. 'Don't look so shocked, sister, we've been practising a jolly song and intend to sing it without accompaniment.'
    She dreaded to think what unsuitable ditty they were going to perform – it was bound to be extremely vulgar and shock the elderly tabbies to the core. She looked around desperately for her brother. He could put a stop to it but Beau was nowhere to be seen.
    'If you intend to do something disgraceful, I'll never forgive you. I shall ask our brother to cut off your allowance this quarter,' she hissed.
    They looked somewhat taken aback but quickly rallied. 'We thought the evening could do with something more lively,' Aubrey said.
    'Lively is perfectly acceptable – vulgar is not.' She slipped through the chairs, determined to be as far away as possible from the music room before they started to sing.
    In her hurry to escape she forgot a certain gentleman had said he would be waiting for her. He was forced to run after her.
    'Is something wrong? Tell me, how can I help?'
    'We must hide in the library as there's going to be the most frightful fuss any minute now and I've no desire to be involved in it. My brother can be the one to smooth the ruffled feathers for a change.'
    She skidded to a halt, but as she reached out to turn the knob he did the same and their hands collided. The touch was fleeting but they had both been aware of the contact. Somewhat flustered she tried to snatch her hand away but his closed over hers and he turned the knob.
    'In you go, we can't dither about out here.' She was bundled unceremoniously into the library, but as he was about to close the door she prevented him.
    'It must remain open, it would be unconscionable for us to be closeted alone together.'
    He released his hold on the door. 'You don't wish me to compromise you? I thought that was the sole purpose of bringing me here.'
    His expression was unreadable and her heart dropped to her slippers. What had she been thinking to invite him to accompany her? 'I beg your pardon…'
    'I'm funning, my dear, don't look so horrified.'
    'That's all very well, sir, but we shouldn't be in here together.' She was about