“You needn’t cast yourself as some villainous seducer,” Phoebe replied with a lightness she didn’t feel. “I came here willingly, didn’t I?”
He smiled a little at that. “True.”
She then swallowed hard. A part of her ratherdidwish he would seduce her. Then this might all be a little more straightforward. “I should go.”
He began to say something, but then stopped. “All right,” he finally said.
As Phoebe returned his searching look, the full weight of what they had just done collapsed onto her shoulders. She suddenly felt like a girl again, awkward and out of place like when she would intrude on him and Alex during one of their convoluted discussions about books she hadn’t even heard of—let alone read.
“Good night, Will,” she said shyly, as if she hadn’t just made frantic, passionate love to him.
His brow furrowed, but he gave a short bow. “Good night, Phoebe,” he replied, using the stiff, cordial tone that had haunted her for years.
Though she might have a hundred memories of him as the older boy next door with scraped knees and winning smile, he was still the duke of Ellis while she was a humble schoolteacher. All she could have now were these few stolen moments until they came to the inevitable end. Lady Gwen may not be his duchess, but he would find one soon enough. And if Phoebe wasn’t careful, she would lose her stupid little heart all over again.
If you haven’t already.
On that alarming thought she turned and sprinted toward the house.
After watching Phoebe bolt across the lawn to get away from him, Will slunk home. He should have been relaxed and ready for bed after performing such vigorous activities, but instead he felt more restless than ever. All he wanted was to lock himself in his study and brood over a glass of whiskey. Unfortunately, Higgins was still up and waiting for him in the entryway. That wasn’t a good sign.
“Your Grace, Lord Fairbanks is here,” his butler said apologetically. “He arrived an hour ago. I told him you were dining with the Atkinsons but he insisted on waiting for you.”
Will cocked his head as he took in this information. “Did he give a reason for such anuntimelyvisit?”
This had to be about Lady Gwen or the bill. Neither option was particularly appealing.
“No, Your Grace. He did ask for coffee though.”
Will sighed. It would not be a short conversation then. “Thank you, Higgins. I can manage the rest. Good night.”
Will gathered his thoughts as he made his way toward the study. Lady Gwen was a terrific girl, but they simply didn’t suit. And Will could not support a bill that included any punitive measures. Both perfectly understandable reasons. The earl might object at first, but he would come around after more consideration. He must. For Will would not be moved on either issue.
He opened the door and found that Fairbanks had made himself quite comfortable in Will’s favorite chair by the hearth. Hehad also moved on from the coffee and was enjoying a glass of Will’s favorite whiskey. At his entrance, Fairbanks turned with a feline smile that sent a prickling sensation down Will’s back and scattered his thoughts. It was quite the same way he had smiled at Maude just after he threatened her life.
“Ah. There you are.”
Will managed a placid expression. “Good evening. To what do I owe the unexpected pleasure of your company?”
But the earl’s smile merely grew at the pointed question. “You surprise me, William.”
The prickling sensation increased. Fairbanks hadn’t called him “William” since he became the duke. “I beg your pardon?”
“Have a seat first,” Fairbanks said as he gestured to the chair across from him.
Will was too distracted to be annoyed at being given such a lordly direction in hisownhome. He sat down while Fairbanks casually swirled the amber liquid in his glass and watched him like a bird of prey. Will raised an eyebrow at the man’s continued silence, but it had no effect. The earl seemed to enjoy making him wait. Will shifted his chair at the unsettling thought. What the devil was goingonhere? He was just about to ask, when the earl finally spoke.
“I confess,” he began. “I’ve wondered a time or two about the nature of your relationship with Alexandra Atkinson. The woman is such a cold fish that I can’t imagine anyone wanting to bed her unless they enjoy being glared at throughout the act. The middle sister though…” He paused to take a lingering sip while Will’s heart ceased to beat. “A surprising choice. Rather mannish for my tastes. I’d have gone for Winifred, personally.”
Will’s throat had gone dry. “What are you talking about?” herasped. “And think very carefully about the next words that come out of your mouth,” he added with all the dukely hauteur he could muster.
Fairbanks gave him a pitying look. “Come now. Let’s not play at that. I know she’s your mistress.”
Hot shame washed over him. All this time he had been so focused on protecting Phoebe from the perils of the world at large that he hadn’t thought to protect her from himself.
“I’ve had a devil of a time trying to find a skeleton in your closet. I hadn’t realized you took all that moral claptrap spouted by the old duke to heart.” Fairbanks clucked his tongue. “But I finally found someone at Bow Street who had a very interesting tale to tell about you. I was certain he was mistaken at first, for why would the duke of Ellis dare show his face in such an establishment and for such a woman?” Will’s jaw hardened.Inspector Holland.Apparently the man did have a price. “You must be quite smitten with the creature to behave so foolishly,” the earl continued, his eyes now alight with interest. “I admit, I’m terribly curious to know what she has done to earn such devotion from you. Or is it merely the thrill of ruining an innocent young lady?” The earl then let out a knowing little laugh that made Will’s blood curdle. “I’ve done that a time or two myself, and it is an unrivaled pleasure to be sure.”
“You are a disgrace,” Will spat. “I would never behave so abominably.”
