Page 2 of Denying the Duke (Lords and Ladies in Love 3)

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Copyright © 2017 by Callie Hutton. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the Publisher.

Entangled Publishing, LLC

2614 South Timberline Road

Suite 109

Fort Collins, CO 80525

Visit our website at www.entangledpublishing.com.

Scandalous is an imprint of Entangled Publishing, LLC.

Edited by Erin Molta

Cover design by Liz Pelletier

Cover art from Period Images

ISBN 978-1-64063-117-5

Manufactured in the United States of America

First Edition July 2017

To my hardworking, ever-patient editor, Erin Molta, on our tenth book together

Chapter One

Bedfordshire, England, June 1814

Lord Alexander Pemberton, second son of the Sixth Duke of Bedford—and constantly reminded of his less revered position in the family—looked up from the book he was reading as he leaned against his favorite oak tree. A large carriage with a family crest rolled to a stop in front of his home, Woburn Abbey, about a half mile from where he sat. Since he was unaware of any planned visit, he viewed the scene with curiosity as the footman jumped down to open the door of the carriage.

An older gentleman alighted from the carriage, then turned to assist a woman of similar age. Once she shook out her skirts and moved aside, the gentleman reached in and helped a young lady out of the vehicle.

Alex closed his book and leaned forward, as if that slight movement would give him a better view. The girl appeared young, perhaps no more than six and ten years. Her golden blond hair caught the sun just right, so she appeared to be surrounded by a halo. A blue bonnet dangled from her fingers and swayed in the slight breeze. At a sharp comment from the older woman, the girl placed the bonnet on her head, tucked the glorious hair out of sight, and tied the ribbons under her chin.

From his distance, he could not see the color of her eyes, but wondered if they reflected the same shade of blue as her hat. He took in her pleasant face and budding woman’s body. More than mere curiosity drove him to rise, shutting the book to tuck it under his arm.

His parents appeared at the doorway and descended the steps. Apparently, the family had been expected. Right behind them came his older brother, Cyrus, the Marquess of Tavistock, and heir apparent to the Bedford Dukedom.

The bane of Alex’s existence.

Odd for his parents to leave their home to greet visitors coming up the path. His father had always made sure everyone who visited the Abbey, or any of his many other estate homes, recognized he was the duke and, as such, they came to him, not the other way around. Most likely this was an important visitor.

No longer interested in Mary and Charles Lamb’s Tales from Shakespeare, Alex strode to the house and reached the front door just as it closed. He quickly smoothed his always untidy hair and entered the house. The group had moved upstairs to the drawing room, the sound of their conversation guiding him.

Alex entered the room unnoticed and leaned against the wall, remaining almost invisible while the older couples conversed. Unbidden, his gaze wandered to the young girl, standing off by herself, a slight smile on her face.

His brother, Cyrus, glanced once or twice at the girl, then moved to the sideboard where he poured himself a brandy. Attempting to appear nonchalant, Alex strolled toward their young female guest. As he approached, she turned her head to look at him, and his heart stuttered.

No, her eyes did not match the blue bonnet. Instead, they were the most stunning shade of green he’d ever come upon. Close up, her countenance was more than lovely. She was beautiful. Plump, red lips revealed white, even teeth as she smiled at him. A genuine one, not the smile of girls at the assemblies who were trying their best to attract the attention of a gentleman.

Not that those smiles were ever cast in his direction. As the second son, “the spare,” he held no status, and therefore, was of little interest to debutantes and their mamas looking for a splendid match.

“May I introduce myself, my lady?” He bowed, his heart still not recovered. With any luck, she did not notice the raspy sound of his voice.