The D of B strikes again… Informants all about the ton… Is anyone safe? Dear readers, keep your secrets close, but know that they may not be as safe as you hope.
“That is why a duel would be perfect. There is no way he would refuse me!” Peter exclaimed.
“Stop being so dramatic.” Natalie made a dismissive gesture, casting about for some way of dissuading her brother while a part of her mind churned the article over and over. “I… I have a plan.”
“You do?” Peter narrowed his eyes, folding his arms across his chest.
Natalie nodded. “I do.”
“And are you going to tell me what it is?” Peter asked.
Her brother was many things, but calm and tactful was not one of them. Rose might have been all of those things, but she would share her plan with Alexander, and he would not allow it.
Natalie shook her head, still staring at the scandal sheet. “No. But… Just trust me.”
Natalie could feel Rose surveying her, and knew that she was wondering just what Natalie was up to. Natalie tried to give her brother and sister-in-law a reassuring smile.
“I am not going to marry Lord Bolton, I swear that to you.” She met each of their gazes. “I will not let that happen.”
Natalie nodded as she read the wordsDevilish Duke Strikes Again: Is there any secret safe?She only hoped her plan would work.
“Thank goodness for open windows on summer days,” Natalie muttered as she climbed into the window.
It had been three days since Lord Bolton had released news of their “engagement”, three days during which Natalie had sent message after message for aid. By now, she had grown increasingly more desperate.
“Or I would not be trying to climb into windows.” Natalie muttered to herself. “Well, I suppose it will only add to my growing scandal. Perhaps they will think I am mad. I think life in the madhouse might not be so bad.”
She crept through the dark room, wincing every time a floorboard creaked beneath her. She cursed softly when she stubbed a toe on a piece of furniture, but she dared not try and light a candle.
She opened the door, staring into the dimly lit corridor. She strained for the sound of footsteps but could hear nothing.
“It is not going to get any easier. I might as well get this over with.” Natalie breathed a small sigh of relief.Now I must just find his study.
Spotting a door to her right, she opened it and peered inside. It seemed to be some kind of drawing room. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, and she had the feeling she was being followed. And then she heard it. Footsteps. A figure loomed in front of the door, and Natalie pressed herself against the wall.
She held her breath as a man who appeared to be a footman paused, his head visibly tilted to listen. Natalie’s chest thundered so hard against her chest, she was sure he would hear it. Even ifhe did not, she was not sure her chest would not break from the force of it.
The man raised half a hand towards the door. Natalie pressed herself further against the wall. Then he shrugged, and turned around.
She let out a quiet, steading breath.
“That was too close for comfort.” She muttered, slipping out into the hallway.
“I would not be relieved just yet, little thief,” a voice whispered in her ear.
She whirled around and found herself staring up at one of the most handsome men she had ever seen. The lamp in his hand illuminated his face, a cool smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. His eyes were grey, and seemed to see right through her, sending shivers across her skin.
His dark brown hair was meticulously cut, drawing attention to his strong jawline and the harsh lines of his face. There was an air about him that made him seem like some fae prince from stories.
“I-I am not a thief.” She said, trying to get a hold of herself.
“Of course not, why else would you climb in through the window?” The man raised an eyebrow at her, an amused smileon his face. “Though, by your lack of grace, I would suggest you are not a very good thief.”
Her throat was suddenly dry, as the man loomed over her, which was saying a lot given her already unusually tall family. She could not remember when she had last had to look up to someone. It was an altogether unfamiliar and unpleasant experience.
No matter how dashing he might look.What is wrong with me? This is hardly the time!
A hand casually swept a stray lock of his dark brown hair from his face. The movement wafted his spicy cologne over her, which seemed to muddy her mind even more.“I am not here to steal, I just wanted to talk.” She straightened her shoulders, forcing herself to meet his gaze.
