Free Seducing the Duchess by Ashley March Page A

her at the window. No doubt he had arranged for them to rendezvous sometime tonight. Would he even wait for Charlotte to retire for the evening? Would he go to Joanna’s house, or would she come here? Would Charlotte have to listen to their pants and moans as she tried to fall asleep?
    The bloody bastard.
    Philip merely grinned and waved his fingers until he once again disappeared from sight.
    Charlotte counted twenty-two seconds before she heard his even footsteps enter the drawing room.
    She continued to stare out the window, determined to maintain her dignity. She would not speak to him, for fear the bitter words which might come out of her mouth would make her appear jealous. Which she most decidedly was not.
    She was simply angry.
    “Charlotte.”
    Very, very angry.
    “Look at me.”
    She turned around, her arms crossed over her chest, unable to unfold herself from the defensive posture. “Yes?”
    “I have given a great deal of thought to what you said.”
    “You have?” She arched a brow, her mind racing as she tried to remember what she could have possibly said that Philip would have given any heed to.
    “Indeed. I have decided to grant your request.”
    Her heart gave a nervous kick in her chest. Request? She had only ever asked one thing of him. He couldn’t possibly mean—
    “I will divorce you.”

Chapter 6

    A t his words, Charlotte did something most unusual.
    She blanched, going completely white in a matter of seconds. Then she flushed, the color returning to her cheeks in a violent rush.
    Philip would have held out his arms to catch what appeared to be her imminent fall, if she had not spoken at that very moment.
    Her voice was hushed, her tone so low he had to concentrate on the movement of her mouth just to be able to understand what she said. “You will not jest with me in this manner.”
    He lifted his gaze from her lips to her eyes, saw the fury of disbelief unveiled there. “I promise you, my dear, I am not jesting.” He turned from her. How was it he always somehow forgot the strength of her hatred? “However, there will be a caveat to my agreement. I will not concede to your request without receiving anything in turn.”
    “I see.”
    “Also, as the petition for divorce shall state the cause as adultery, you will bear the brunt of the scandal.”
    “I would expect no less, Your Grace.”
    He pivoted on his heel. “Is this not cause to rejoice, Charlotte? You have begged me for three years to give you freedom, and now that I am willing to do so, you sound dejected. Could you possibly have changed your mind? Do you wish to remain married to me?”
    A small smile played around the corners of her lips. “Indeed not, Your Grace. I simply do not believe you will keep your word. After all, it would not be the first time you have cheated and lied to have your way. How do I know you’ll not do the same yet again?”
    Philip advanced toward her. “I mean what I say. I will even write my man of business today, if you like. I’ll tell him to begin petitioning the courts in three months’ time, at my behest.”
    Her eyes darkened as he neared. He liked that, liked seeing her awareness as he approached. “And I shall deliver it myself to a courier of my choosing,” she countered.
    He inclined his head, letting his gaze drift over the swell of her breasts for the barest moment. “As you wish.”
    “It’s agreed, then. You will divorce me. What is your request?”
    His eyes locked to hers. He wanted to see her reaction. He wasn’t certain what he was looking for, exactly, but knew he wouldn’t find it if he didn’t look closely. “You advised me to find another wife, to release you. I have found her, Charlotte.” He took another step toward her. “You will help me court Lady Grey.”
    “Joanna.”
    “Yes. Lady Grey.” She would never be Joanna to him again, not after her betrayal.
    Charlotte chuckled, a rich, warm sound that heated the marrow of his bones.
    “You find it