Free Read Novels Online Home

Unmasking a Duke: A Regency Romance by Ellie St. Clair (6)

6

And will you be attending the Vauxhall garden party tomorrow evening?” Andrew asked, looking down at the exquisite creature beside him. This was now the tenth time he had called on her, the tenth time he had taken her out in his curricle, and still, he had not revealed to her the truth of his identity. He fully intended to, of course, but the more time he spent with her, the more he found himself unable to reveal the truth. He had chosen not to attend any more social occasions, either as himself or as his brother, for then the game might very easily be up. Instead, he chose to remain at home, sorting through the list of gentlemen and ladies his brother had so recently wronged. It was quite extensive, but he was slowly making amends with most of them – although not all of them, not by any means.

“I believe so,” she replied, glancing up at him with those emerald eyes he so often thought of. “I have heard it is an evening not to be missed.”

"You have never attended before?" he asked, surprised. Even as the mere second son, brother of a Duke, he had always been graced with an invitation. There was no reason that the daughter of an Earl should not be given an invitation also.

She shook her head. “I believe my father has received the invitation before, but we have never had the opportunity to attend. That has changed this year.”

She gave him a small smile, although Andrew spotted a hint of sadness playing around her mouth. He wished he knew what it was that brought such a look to her face, although, of course, they were not yet of such a strong acquaintance that he felt able to ask her.

“Then, may I be permitted to accompany you?” he asked, softly. The surprise jumped onto her face, for he was now clearly showing his interest in her.

“I would be delighted, Your Grace,” she replied, before turning her face towards the road once more.

He sighed heavily. This was not the reaction he had expected. She always showed interest in him, but he consistently got the impression she was holding something back from him – but, as yet, he did not know what. Taking a chance, he touched her hand with his.

"I am hosting a very small soiree next week also," he continued, as her eyes jumped back to his. "It is only a very small affair, however. Would your father be terribly upset if I sent an invitation to you alone?" He smiled gently, as her eyes slowly began to glow. Clearly, he was making his affection more evident than ever and finally, it seemed, she was beginning to realize what that meant.


May I ask you something, Your Grace?” she asked, her lips curving into a small smile.

He nodded. “Of course.”

She bit her lip for a moment before replying, as though trying to find the right words. “It is not as though I do not appreciate your interest in me, but I am fully aware of your… your reputation. I do hope that I will not attend your soiree, only to discover that I am your only guest. I have a reputation to protect.” Evidently, the shock of being so blunt with him embarrassed her, although she did lift her chin despite her flaming cheeks.

The truth of the matter hit him square in the chest. In pretending to be his brother, he was taking on his brother's reputation and all that it entailed. If only they did not look so similar, then he might not have gotten away with pretending to her – and to her father – that he was the Duke. In fact, when he had driven in his curricle, he had always ensured to stick to the quieter roads and had never taken a turn towards Hyde Park, for then surely the truth would come out. Why could he not tell her the truth about who he was? Was it because he was worried that she only held the Duke in her affections? He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, sighing heavily. He had taken the charade too far, for now if he told her the truth of his identity, she might very easily turn from him entirely. He would be seen as a fraud, dishonest and deceitful. Then again, he could not exactly continue building an attachment towards her, when she thought he was the Duke.

"I can assure you that you will not be the only guest, Miss Marley," he said, firmly. He had, in fact, asked around eight of his own close friends to an evening of cards and music, and had asked Miss Marley to join them on a mere whim. However, it also meant that he would not be able to keep up the charade of being the Duke. A small sigh left his lips. Mayhap that was a good thing, for then he would have no choice but to reveal the truth to Miss Marley. Andrew was surprised to find that his heart was already engaged with the woman, feeling pain over the realization that he might lose her forever, once she discovered the truth of who he was.

“Then I would be glad to accept,” Miss Marley replied, softly. “Thank you, Your Grace.”

He studied her for a moment, holding her gaze. She truly was a beautiful young lady, but he found her to be both quick witted and having excellent conversation. He enjoyed listening to her opinions on certain matters although he still could not place the sadness he heard in her voice at times. That irked him more than he wanted to admit, for he did not want Miss Marley to be at all distressed in his presence. Whatever it was that she was holding back from him, Andrew was slowly becoming more determined to find out what it was, so that he could, at the very least, simply help share her burden.

Returning her to her father’s townhouse, he helped her down from the curricle as he always did, relishing the opportunity to take her hand in his. “Miss Marley,” he murmured, turning her hand over and pressing a small kiss to her wrist. Hearing her gasp of shock and surprise, he gave her a small smile. “Already, I am looking forward to escorting you to Vauxhall tomorrow evening,” he continued, looking deeply into her eyes. “Thank you again for your company this afternoon.”

She blushed deeply, although her lips curved into a smile. “Thank you, Your Grace.”

Escorting her to the door, he bowed quickly as she entered, just catching sight of her father standing by the door, evidently waiting for her. To his dismay, the smile left Miss Marley’s face immediately as she caught sight of her father, her entire body seeming to droop. “Oh no,” he heard her whisper, causing him to glance at her sharply.

He had no time to ask her what was the matter, for she curtsied quickly, before walking inside.

Returning to his carriage, Andrew frowned heavily. What was it about Lord Marley that had seemingly distressed Miss Marley? And how could he help her?

Sighing, Andrew rubbed a hand over his eyes, choosing to return home. Another two notes had arrived since his brother’s departure, although neither of them had been specific in their threats. In addition, he had managed to settle a few ruffled feathers, but in doing so, he had simply discovered that his brother had upset a great many more people than he had first anticipated.

“M’lord,” the butler intoned, the moment he arrived. “You have another.”

“Another?” Andrew said, frustrated. “Where?”

“I have placed it in the Duke’s study,” the butler replied, taking his hat and gloves. “Some refreshments, my lord?”

Nodding, Andrew walked quickly along to the study, wondering what it was this note would contain.

"I am surprised to discover that the Duke's brother has been making reparations of sorts," he read aloud. "Although I feel obliged to inform you that monies cannot make up for the damage done to my family's name. The Duke will get his comeuppance, whether he resides in town or in Scotland. You will not hear from me again, my lord, for my battle is with the Duke and not with his brother."

Search

Search

Friend:

Popular Free Online Books

Read books online free novels

Hot Authors

Sam Crescent, Zoe Chant, Flora Ferrari, Mia Madison, Alexa Riley, Lexy Timms, Claire Adams, Leslie North, Sophie Stern, Elizabeth Lennox, Amy Brent, Frankie Love, Bella Forrest, Jordan Silver, C.M. Steele, Jenika Snow, Dale Mayer, Madison Faye, Michelle Love, Mia Ford, Kathi S. Barton, Delilah Devlin, Sloane Meyers, Amelia Jade, Piper Davenport,

Random Novels

The November Girl by Lydia Kang

Wicked Deception (Regency Sinners 4) by Carole Mortimer

Sweet Susie Sweet (The Tough Ladies Book 2) by Katie Graykowski

Cherished by the Cougar: A Shifters in Love Fun & Flirty Romance (Mystic Bay Book 2) by Isadora Montrose, Shifters in Love

Bounce by Kailee Reese Samuels

Welcome Home, Cowboy by Annie Rains

Greed (Seven Vices Series Book 1) by Emily Blythe

Slouch Witch (The Lazy Girl's Guide To Magic Book 1) by Helen Harper

Reckless (An Enemies To Lovers Novel Book 2) by Michelle Horst

by Natalie Bennett

World of de Wolfe Pack: The Wolfe Match (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Kit Morgan

Exposed: A Bad Boy Motorcycle Club Romance (Fury Riders MC) by Sophia Gray

Best Friend's Ex Box Set (A Second Chance Romance Love Story) by Claire Adams

Sustain by Tijan

Wow! (On A Night Like This Book 1) by Sean Kennedy

Legal Attraction by Lisa Childs

Bella Cove: A Second Chance Romance by Rochelle Katzman

Tray (A Hell's Harlem Novel Book 2) by J.M. Walker

The Vampire Secret (The Amarant Book 1) by Tricia Barr

Making Music: A Serrano Novel (Book 1) (The Serranos) by Bryce Winters