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

to step around him when there were shrieks of protest and the noise of chairs being thrown aside. 'It's as I feared, my brothers have deliberately outraged my guests. I do hope they don't all decide to leave – we shall never live this down.'
    'Your brother is the Duke of Silchester, this is his family seat, there's nothing any of you can do that would cause you to be disapproved of. However, it might be wise to linger here until the dust settles.'
    Madeline moved closer to the doorway. 'The musical performances were supposed to continue for an hour. Now my careful planning is in disarray and people will be at a loss to know what they're supposed to be doing next.'
    'Ladies will retire to the drawing room and twitter about such disgraceful behaviour and gentlemen will breathe a collective sigh of relief that they have been released so soon from such torture. They will then head for the billiard room or sit down for a hand of cards.' He spoke from the far side of the room and appeared more interested in the journal he'd picked up than continuing the conversation.
    *
    Grey had spoken in jest about the danger of them being compromised, but there was a grain of truth behind his words. Sufficient to keep him a respectable distance from her and make him feign disinterest. What he really wanted to do was take her into his arms and kiss her breathless.
    The last thing he needed was a dalliance, however innocent, with the duke's sister. Silchester was a formidable man and wouldn't hesitate to ruin him if he harmed any of his family. His notion to make himself agreeable in order to get her to improve her opinion of him must be abandoned.
    His knowledge of well-bred young ladies was negligible. His occasional liaisons had been with experienced women, he'd always avoided any contact with innocents even before he was eligible. If being close to Madeline made his pulse race then it could be doing the same to her. As he had no intention of falling into parson's mousetrap, even with such a delectable girl, it would be ungallant of him to give her an erroneous opinion of his intentions.
    'I shall return to the party; if I don't come back then you'll know it's safe to emerge as all the fuss has died down.' He put down the magazine and was amused to see he'd been holding a copy of La Belle Assemblée.
    'That's kind of you, sir, but I think it best if I go out first and you remain here. Do you still wish me to partner you at a card table?'
    'I doubt there will be any seats available as the occupants of the music room will have taken them in our absence.' He should have left it there. She didn't seem particularly upset by his comment but something prompted him to continue. 'If we cannot be partners at a card table then will you partner me on the dance floor later?'
    'Certainly, my lord, but I cannot promise as I must dance with whoever asks me first.' Her smile was no more than civil and she vanished through the door leaving him puzzled by the encounter. Why had she all but refused him? Had he misread the signals?
    He should be relieved she wasn't interested in him, that she didn't view him as a prospective husband, but her casual dismissal had made him think more deeply about the possibilities.
    For a few moments he was lost in romantical thoughts and then sanity returned. Good God! The last thing he wanted was a wife who could well be made a widow if he couldn't find who was behind these assassination attempts. Time enough for setting up his nursery when matters were settled.
    He strolled along the spacious passageways and moved smoothly into the drawing room where there were several groups in animated discussion, presumably about the disgraceful behaviour of the Sheldon brothers.
    Lady Giselle saw him and beckoned him over. 'As the musical part of the evening has been abandoned we have decided to set up a game of charades. Will you join us?' His look of total horror made her giggle. 'Please, it won't be as bad as you fear.'
    'You mustn't