Free The Duke and the Dressmaker (The St. James Series) by Keira Montclair

promise you any such thing. The man will never touch you again.”
    Philip observed the woman in front of him. His heart broke at the fear in her eyes when he spoke of this man’s threats. He wasn’t quite sure how he would accomplish it, but he would protect her. The thought of another man’s hands on Sara Downey caused his blood to hurtle through his body at a speed he didn’t like. He would do everything in his power to prevent that cruel fate from happening again.
    Philip stood and held his hand out to her. “Come, I will escort you home, Lady Downey.”
    “Oh, but I must thank your mother for her assistance.”
    He remained standing with his hand outstretched. “I will convey your appreciation. You probably would not want Emma to see you right now. I will take care of everything.”
    Sara stood and placed her hand in his. A warmth she had never felt before swept through her body. She looked closely at him. Who was this man?
     
     
     
     
     
     

 
    Chapter Eleven
     
    Sara climbed into the carriage with the duke’s help. He sat across from her. Her hands trembled as she thought about the mistake she may have just made. Stinky could be out there watching right now. What if he came back tonight?
    A low, velvety voice cut into her thoughts. “I will not let him hurt you again.”
    “How can you say such a thing? I do not even know who he is . Why, he could be out there right now watching me.” Sara searched his blue eyes. They were as calm as could be. The ice was gone, replaced by a tenderness she had never seen before.
    Her heart skipped a beat. Even her husband had never looked at her like that. It actually appeared as if he cared for her. But how could that be? He must feel sorry for her. That was it. She chewed her lip, confused by her present circumstances.
    “I will find out who he is. I have my ways. I will protect you.” He spoke with certainty.
    How she wished she could believe him. His blue eyes gazed at her with an intensity she had never seen. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, warmth pooled between her thighs. She stared at him, wanting to cling to him. Envisioning her head on his shoulder and his arms wrapped around her, she wondered what it would be like to kiss him.
    Kissing had never been an especially pleasant event with her husband. His mouth had always covered her s roughly, leaving saliva over half her face. Somehow, she didn’t expect it would feel the same with this man. He probably would not shove his tongue into her mouth so deep as to gag her. Sara shuddered.
    Philip reached over and held her gloved hand. She hoped he interpreted her shudder to be fear of her attacker. He stroked her wrist at her pulse point. “You don’t believe me.”
    Sara allowed the simple caress, but h er head bowed, her gaze lowering to hide what her eyes might reveal. She let herself be entranced by his touch, permitting herself a moment’s pleasure before saying. “I don’t know what to believe anymore, but I cannot take your money. I will never be able to repay you. I cannot expect you to pay my husband’s debts. He has done enough to you.”
    The carriage arrived at her shop. The duke helped her down and unlocked her front door for her.
    “Your Grace, I cannot thank you enough for your assistance.” She offered her best smile.
    Sara turned to enter her shop, expectin g him to just leave, but he gently pushed his way past her through the open door.
    “If you don’t mind, I would like to look around first.”
    Sara stood frozen in her front room, thankful that he was willing to do this for her. She heard him opening doors, walking upstairs to her rooms. His footsteps descended the stairway followed by the sound of water being thrown out the back door. Oh, her tub. She had forgotten it.
    He strode back into the front room.
    “The lock on your back door was picked. That is how he got in. I will send a locksmith over to change your locks. You need something stronger. I don’t think anyone has