Page 26 of A Deal for the Duke’s Virgin

“That sounds very much like Laura,” Thalia sighed. She eyed the book. “Well, this looks like any other copy of Pride and Prejudice. Well-read and notably not in German.”

“So, this was a wild goose chase?”

“No, I…” Thalia opened the book, turned to the first page, and froze as a slip of paper fell out.

The Duke crouched down, picking it up. He inspected it for a moment, turning it this way and that.

“An invitation,” he said shortly.

Thalia eyed it. It was not paper, but a stiff, good-quality card embossed with gilt edges and fine, careful writing looping across the front.

This was no careless, last-minute invitation. Somebody had taken a great deal of care with it. Handwritten and expensively made, this invitation meant something.

“Well?” she prompted.

The Duke cleared his throat. “Lady Laura Lockwood is Cordially Invited to an Exhibition at the Castwell Art Gallery,” he read aloud. “No date. But she is mentioned by name.”

“Well, perhaps it’s nothing.”

He shook his head. “No, she hid this invitation carefully. Laura can be careless with her things. I have found invitations and even keepsakes scattered in her room and in the drawing room, but this…” He waved the invitation in the air. “… this was kept safe. I would like to know why.”

Thalia chewed on her lip again. “I see.”

“It seems that you and I will be attending the Castwell Art Gallery soon enough,” he remarked, squinting at the paper.

Thalia stiffened. “Now, wait a moment…”

“Wait for what, my dear? We must investigate.”

She waggled a finger in the air. “Why must I come with you? You asked me to translate some papers, not accompany you on an outing.”

He sniffed, slipping the invitation into an inside pocket. “I am not suggesting that we go now. We shall go tomorrow.”

“In broad daylight?”

He leaned closer to her without warning, a slow smile spreading across his face. Thalia leaned back, reddening.

Why do I have goosebumps? Why is my heart beating faster? Oh, this is ridiculous. I hate this wretched man.

“We must be convincing, my dear,” he whispered. “After all, we are meant to be engaged.”

Ah, she had forgotten about that. Somehow.

His smile widened.

He is enjoying this. He is enjoying my discomfort! Wretched fellow.

“I had better go,” Thalia managed, a little horrified at how thin her voice had become. The roiling in her stomach had increased with his proximity. The sensation, a remarkably odd one, refused to go away.

I have encountered handsome, rakish men before, but none of them have ever given me goosebumps. It must be the situation. Yes, that’s it. The danger Laura’s in and his proximity and the whole situation. This is not a sensible place for me to be.

Clearing her throat, Thalia took a big, pointed step back. The Duke straightened up. His eyes lingered on her, but he made no attempt to move closer. She had hoped that the goosebumps would go away with a little distance, but no such luck.

“I had better go,” she repeated firmly.

“I believe the carriage is waiting outside,” the Duke responded evenly. “It waits for your instruction. You may leave anytime you wish.”

“Very good. Good night, Your Grace.” She bobbed a clumsy curtsey and turned to make a run for it.