Page 57 of Denying the Duke (Lords and Ladies in Love 3)

“Your Grace, I would like a word with you.” He glanced behind her, at, she assumed, Lord Campbell following her like a puppy. Alex broke into a smile and took her hand. “Of course, my dear. Would you like a stroll in the garden?”

“Yes.” What she would like was a heavy reticule with which to bop him over the head. He led her through the crush, making their way slowly as more people stopped them to offer condolences and to wish them happy. Impatient to have her say, and tired of pretending sorrow when Cyrus was mentioned, she was relieved when they left the last well-wisher, and Alex escorted her through the french doors to the small patio area leading to the garden.

…

Alex did not have to guess what was on his wife’s mind. As much as he hated boxing her in, he had no choice. A large gathering such as this was the perfect place for someone to grab her. He had no reason to believe Loverly himself would show up with all of London looking for him, but as the man had been able to get into his house, he could do the same here. Or anywhere Patience would go. Hence, the need for constant vigilance.

He would make a visit to the War Department again tomorrow and demand to know why it was taking so long to capture the man. For now, however, he had to rely on himself, Hawk, Cam, and Templeton to keep watch over her. She was much too vulnerable.

He and the others had wrestled with the idea of telling Patience, but it was unanimously decided there was no benefit in doing that.

The tension radiated off her where their hands joined. They continued down the steps, Alex making sure there was no sign of Loverly. To be safe, he only walked a few steps from the patio and remained in a well-lit area.

As he’d noted earlier, Patience looked lovely tonight, and he was not oblivious to the glances and not-so-covert invitations from some of the men. He was almost grateful for the need to keep an eye on her for safety purposes. She was an innocent, and not having had much contact with the gentlemen of the ton, she probably wasn’t aware of how much danger of another kind she could get herself into.

The scant moonlight cast a soft glow on her face, highlighting the enticing curve of her cheek and neck, and the brilliance of her green eyes. Eyes that right now were snapping with anger. He sighed, knowing what was coming.

He would stand by his earlier decision to keep her in the dark. No good could come from telling her.

The memory washed over him of when he and the other officers had planned a night attack. Alex had foolishly brought a young soldier into his confidence about what was to happen. Unfortunately, the young man had taken it upon himself to forge ahead without waiting for his orders and had ended up with his throat slit. Had Alex kept the information to himself, the lad would have gone home to his parents when the war ended.

Just one more dark mark on his soul.

She shook her hand free and placed them both on her hips. “Your Grace, I would like to know why I have been followed around all evening like a just-out-of-the-schoolroom-chaperone-dodging debutante.”

He could not help the laugh that burst forth. “‘Just-out-of-the-schoolroom-chaperone-dodging debutante?’”

Patience, unfortunately, did not share his amusement. She continued to stare at him, her tiny satin-shod foot tapping away on the stone walkway. “Well?”

Alex ra

n his fingers through his hair. “It might seem like you are being followed, but that is certainly not my intention.”

“Do you think me muddleheaded, Your Grace?”

“Stop with the ‘Your Grace’ business, Patience. Otherwise, we’ll be your gracing each other the rest of the evening.” The devil take it, but she roused his lust. All self-righteous anger, her breasts rising and falling with her deep breaths, the creamy tops just begging for his attention.

Instead of standing in the garden parrying with words, he wanted to throw her over his shoulder like some sort of conquering hero and toss her onto the nearest bed. If he could only harness the passion in her anger and channel it to their lovemaking, he would not let her out of bed until Loverly was caught.

“Perhaps I have been a bit overbearing this evening. I assure you, it was only because of your lack of knowledge in moving about in Society. I did not want you to get yourself into any sort of awkward situation.”

Her jaw dropped at the same time her hands did. “You do think me a ninnyhammer! Either you suppose I cannot comport myself in a proper fashion, or you believe I am senseless enough to believe the nonsense coming from your mouth.”

“Enough, Patience. This entire conversation is unnecessary. Furthermore, it is time to return home.” He hated how imperious he sounded, but there was no way to explain the situation to her, and the more he tried, the more difficult it became.

Patience drew in a deep breath. “You are not my father to order me about, but I fear you grow more like him every day.” With those words, she swept past him and hurried up the stairs. The shock of what she said took him aback, and she had already returned to the ballroom and disappeared into the crowd when he shook his head and went after her.

…

Patience pushed her way through the crowd, ignoring those who called her, fighting to keep the tears welling in her eyes from falling. She was a duchess. She must behave like one, not crumble to the floor in a heap of wailing womanhood.

She was slowly coming to the conclusion that she’d been right. Once she’d allowed Alex his husbandly rights, he’d begun to treat her in a tyrannical manner. The little bit of power she’d held had vanished. He thought her a fool, didn’t trust her, and was trying to control her.

No. She would not allow it. She’d had enough, and she would not permit the rest of her life to continue this way.

Mr. Templeton stepped in front of her, concern in face. “Is everything all right, Your Grace?” For once she was happy to see one of the Four Guardians. “Will you please escort me home, Mr. Templeton? I am not feeling well.”

He frowned. “Where is Bedford?”