Free The Duke's Love by Stephanie Maddux Page B

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    “I’ll go up and check on them , ” Lady Katherine reassured them.
    She left the room to check on her son and Ana. Eliza was left alone with Jordan in the library.
    “What do you think about all of this?” He asked her. Eliza was thinking many things and none of them were good.
    “I think maybe we should return to London , ” s he said honestly.
    “After coming all this way, you are going to turn and run?” He scoffed.
    “Whatever you and your mother are trying to accomplish , isn’t going to work , ” s he said.
    Even Eliza knew a Duke could never marry a woman with her background . It was scandalous and the Trent family avoided scandal like the plaque. Eliza paced around the room, aware of Jordan following every movement.
    “Why do you shy away from social events , Eliza?” Jordan asked. Eliza stopped pacing and stared at him.
    “What are you talking about, I go out all the time, and I’m exhausted from it , ” s he said, curious as to why he was asking. 
    Jordan shook his head , "I never see you."
    “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not allowed in the brothels and clubs you attend, which is why you don’t see me , ” s he said smartly.
    Jordan threw his head back and burst out laughing. “Is that where you think I hang out these days , my dear?”
    Eliza did not really know, but it was a good guess , since she never saw him in polite society.
    Eliza knew Jordan found her attractive. Since they first met four years ago, he had made it known.  He was a rake and most mothers kept their daughters away from him. Eliza felt like prey being hunted by its predator and she was growing increasingly uncomfortable.
    “Your mother has been gone for a while . I am going to go up there myself , ” s he said as he started walking toward her. A s she fled , she could feel Jordan 's amusement. Eliza breathed a sigh of relief at being out of the room. Although, she did not know why, Jordan unsettled her for some reason .
    Continuing down the hall , she tried to discern which way to go. The house was big enough to get lost in , but she was not in a hurry. Lady Katherine left some five minutes ago , and she would be sorting things out, at least she hoped so . She wished Jake and Ana would sort things out. Anyone could see the two belonged together. She could not wait for the Viscount to come. Ana would have her hands full. It seemed as if it would be a long weekend. She sighed as she made her way upstairs. Instead of turning right, she turned left and went into the family wing; at least she hoped it was the family wing. She passed by the first couple of doors , before she saw Lady Katherine . She smiled to herself as she walked up on the eavesdropping woman.
    “Are you hearing anything interesting?” She whispered in Lady Katherine’s ear. The woman squeaked as she jumped in fright. Eliza put a finger over her mouth in a shushing gesture for her to remain quiet. They both leaned into the door hoping to catch pieces of what was going on the other side of the door. After several minutes of quietness, they both straightened.
    “We had better intervene , if we want the honeymoon to come after the wedding, not before , ” Lady Katherine said. She knocked on the door several times. After what seemed like forever, the door creaked open. Eliza stayed in the background, letting her handle her son. After a quick exchange and the door closing, “I think we stopped anything that was going to happen , ” Lady Katherine said.
    Eliza noted wryly that the Duchess looked a little too disappointed by that news. Lady Katherine announced she was going to bed and advised Eliza to do the same. To her surprise, she opened up the door next to Ana’s room. “I put you here. I thought you wouldn’t mind , ” Eliza was glad , since s he knew Ana would need her support. After Lady Katherine said good night and left for her own room, Eliza waited for Jake to exit Ana's room. When he did not, she decided to take matters into