Free The Wicked Game (A Wicked Game Novel) by Olivia Fuller

anywhere.
    “I don’t know exactly what you were doing to the lady but I saw enough to make a fair judgment. What I do know is that if I ever see you near this woman again you will have more problems to deal with than a broken nose.” Andrew reached down with his free hand and grabbed the Duke in a sensitive spot. He squeezed with all his might and the Duke fell to the ground in agony.
    The Duke look up at Andrew, wide eyed and washed in red. “I could have you hang for this!” he rasped.
    “Then best get on with it. But I don’t regret what I have done!”
    The old man looked rather pathetic now as he wiped blood from his eyes and narrowed his stare. His pride was obviously pricked. “You are not even worth the time. Did you not hear me the first time I said it? You are nothing! Not worth the paper to file the charges, nor the effort to speak my case.”
    Angela saw Andrew wince.
    “But this is not over. Angela will be mine. One way or another…”
    “Well that time is not now. And since you have made it clear that I am not worth your time, your business here is done. Now go!” Andrew yelled. “Get out of this house and never come back!”
    The Duke struggled to his feet and stumbled down the stairs. All Andrew could hear was the sound of receding footsteps as he hurried to leave. Most likely the Duke would not stay away forever but he would stay away for now and that was what mattered.
    Andrew looked over to Miss Bennett. She had fallen to the floor and looked rather a mess. She had pulled her dress back into its proper place but she had crossed her arms over her chest as if trying to hide herself. He kneeled down and offered his hand to help her up. Realization flickered in her eyes and she reached up to accept his offer.
    Once on her feet Angela took one long look at Andrew and threw her arms around him. Her body was soft and warm and he thought he could feel a large amount of terror leave her body as they touched.
    Angela released him from the hug but quickly clasped his hands.
    “I—thank you. You have saved me from having to marry that fool,” she said somewhat composed.
    “Well you are welcome, Miss Bennett. There was no way I could stand by and let him abuse you so.”
    “Please,” she said smiling. “Call me Angela.”
    “Thank you ma’am but I couldn’t possibly do that.”
    In a rather intimate gesture, she put her finger up to his mouth to silence him. “I insist.” She paused for a moment before continuing. “We have become close enough that I believe it is called for.” She looked down at the neckline of her dress and flicked her eyes to him. She blushed and he knew exactly what she meant. They had met only twice, accidentally both times, since his arrival at the residence only the day before, and both times her clothing had been around her waist.
    “Oh umm I suppose you are right…Angela.”
    Now Andrew was blushing.
    They both laughed nervously and Angela squeezed Andrew’s hands.
    This time they were both left wondering what had just passed between them.
    ***
    One half hour later Angela was safely tucked into her bed with a warm bottle of water under the covers by her feet and a tall glass of brandy on the table by her head.
    Andrew had promptly returned Angela to her family who expectedly went bug eyed at the sight of her. The two had remained silent the entire walk back to her family, though she never let go of his hand until the very end. He had intended to think of a good tale to explain their current situation but her touch distracted him until it was too late.
    And besides, the only thing he could really think about was how he should have killed the Duke. Duke or not that man was disgusting and deserved to be punished with full force. But it was more than this that was driving his anger and the comfort of her hand was making his mind foggy.
    In the end he never did come up with a cover story. However, luckily for Andrew, Angela was as quick minded as he and by the time they