To Desire a Duke: Dangerous Dukes Vol 8 Page 25

  ‘Then it is fortunate that I arrived when I did.’ Troy closed his eyes and threw his head back. ‘When I saw you splattered with Fletcher’s blood, I was terrified that it might have been yours, and frankly, I was frightened by what the sight made me want to do to those scoundrels.’ He reached forward and grasped her hand. ‘Never do that to me again!’

  ‘Why are you really here, Troy?’ she asked after a brief pause.

  ‘I think you know.’

  She swallowed. ‘I have discovered that it is most inadvisable to desire a duke, which is why I left.’ She looked away from him, but not so fast that he didn’t observe the tears glistening on her lashes. ‘Would you like some tea?’

  ‘I don’t want any damned tea, Brione, I want you.’ He pulled her to her feet and into his arms. ‘I want you with every fibre of my being. And be warned, I won’t be fobbed off with feeble excuses.’

  ‘Are you always accustomed to getting your heart’s desire, your grace?’ she asked with asperity.

  ‘Always. I am a duke so you have to do what I tell you.’

  ‘Ha! No man will ever tell me what to do. That was an incredible race, by the way. Omega was wonderful.’

  ‘Stop changing the subject.’ He grasped her shoulders and fixed her with an ardent gaze fuelled by passion. ‘Tell me you do not love me. That you do not feel the indescribable something that exists between us.’

  ‘I cannot.’ Her smile faded and she looked away from him, but didn’t pull out of his arms. ‘But I won’t lower the tone and give you cause to regret your momentary fixation. Certain expectations are made of duchesses, including being high born. Apparently, that is the most important requirement.’

  Troy shook his head in blank confusion. ‘Whatever makes you say that?’

  ‘Your sister told me.’

  ‘Hang my sister! I love you, Brione. I love your strength of will, your determination…I have been like a bear with a sore head since your departure, and everyone except for Kensley has been steering well clear of me.’

  ‘Kensley?’ Her smile was radiant. ‘I believe he and my friend Rachel…Has he spoken to you about his intentions?’

  ‘Even he probably wouldn’t have dared, not the way I have been. But enough about them. Tell me you are not still hankering after Gilliard.’

  ‘No, I am quite over him. He played me for a fool, made me a laughing stock, and that is the surest way to mend a heart that was not actually broken, I now have good reason to know.’

  ‘Then I am glad. He didn’t deserve your compassion.’

  ‘I am definitely going to sell the business.’

  ‘I will handle it for you.’

  ‘Thank you for clearing Evan’s reputation. I assume that was you.’ He nodded. ‘The invitations are pouring in now, but I don’t feel inclined to take up any of them. If my neighbours couldn’t accept me before the rumours started, I fail to see why I should tolerate them now.’

  Troy laughed. ‘That’s my little firebrand.’ He tightened his hold on her waist. ‘Now, don’t change the subject. We were discussing your disinclination to marry me.’

  ‘Who said I was disinclined?’ She sent him a teasing smile. ‘I was merely pointing out the objections to the match that will be raised, along with eyebrows.’

  ‘I don’t give tuppence for the views of others. I care only about you!’ he cried passionately. ‘I love you deeply, my sweet, infuriating, disobedient, captivating angel. You own my heart and soul and I am nothing without you.’ Shadow barked, making them both smile. ‘And my dog appears to agree with me.’

  ‘Well, in that case, how can I possibly refuse?’

  The End

  About the Author

  Hi, I do hope you enjoyed To Desire a Duke. If so, please take a moment to leave a review on Amazon. I’d love to hear what you thought of this particular novel – what you enjoyed most about it and what you didn’t like. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

  Reach me at wendysoliman@rocketmail.com

  I’m a British author, brought up on the Isle of Wight, but now live in Andorra. I share my life with my long-suffering husband and a rescued dog of indeterminate pedigree named Jake Bentley after the hero in one of my books. Both Jakes are handsome mongrels with independent spirits and wild streaks.

  I’ve had over sixty books published, ranging from Regency romance, (my first love), to contemporary women’s fiction and marine crime mysteries.

  When not writing I walk miles with my dog, make half-hearted visits to the gym, read other people’s tomes…oh, and I’m on a one woman mission to keep the wine trade profitable!

  Check out all of my books, and learn more about me from my website: http:www.wendysoliman.com

  Or on my Amazon author page author.to/wendys

  Follow me on twitter @wendyswriter or on Facebook: Wendy Soliman - Author

  Also available from this Author

  Historical Romance

  Stand Alone Regencies

  Lady Hartley’s Inheritance

  Duty’s Destiny

  A Reason to Rebel

  Forgotten Heiress

  For Want of a Reputation

  Christmas at Castleray

  Ava’s Passion

  Lady Mysterious

  Disinherited

  Divided Loyalties

  A Scandalous Proposition

  The Perfect Impostor

  Lady Impetuous

  Sacrificial Bride

  Dangerous Dukes Series

  To Defy a Duke

  The Duke’s Legacy

  A Duke by Default

  Of Dukes and Deceptions

  Game of Dukes

  Dukes and Indiscretions

  Never Dare a Duke

  To Desire a Duke

  Mrs. Darcy Entertains Series Boxset

  Miss Bingley’s Revenge / Colonel Fitzwilliam’s Dilemma / Miss Darcy’s Passion / Kitty Bennet’s Despair / Lydia Wickham’s Journal

  Pemberley – The Next Generation Series Vols 1 – 3 Boxset

  Emma Bingley’s Romantic Nature / Naomi Sanford’s Compassionate Nature / Bella Darcy’s Impetuous Nature

  Pemberley – The Next Generation Series Vols 4 – 6 Boxset

  Eleanor Bingley’s Rebellious Nature / Rosie Turner’s Contrary Nature / Susie Darcy’s Tenacious Nature

  Simon Bingley’s Resolve

  Ducal Encounters Series 1

  At the Duke’s Discretion

  With the Duke’s Approval

  Portrait of a Duke

  For the Duke’s Pleasure

  In the Duke’s Estimation

  Captivating the Duke

  Ducal Encounters Series 2

  Reunited with the Duke

  Christmas with the Duke

  Representing the Duke

  Safeguarding the Duke

  Acting for the Duke

  Emulating the Duke

  Ducal Encounters Series 3

  Conspiring with the Duke

  Dedicated to the Duke

  Impugning the Duke’s Honour

  By Order of the Duke

  Supporting the Duke

  Protecting the Duke’s Interests

  Ducal Encounters Series 4

  As the Duke’s Agent

  Masquerading with the Duke

  On the Duke’s Authority

  Carlton House Cartel

  Chance

  The Forsters

  Compromising the Marquess

  Beguiling the Barrister

  Finessing the Contessa

  Romancing the Runaway

  Victorian Vigilante Series Boxset

  Saving Grace / Heirs and Graces / With Good Grace / Fall From Grace / Social Graces / Elegance and Grace

  Riley Rochester Investigates Series

  Death of a Debutante

  Death of a Courtesan

  Death of a Prosecutor

  Death of a Scoundrel

  Death of an Artist

  Death of a Recluse

  Death of a Mat
riarch

  Death of a Footman

  Perceptions Series

  A Sense of Belonging

  A Sense of Purpose

  A Sense of Misgiving

  A Sense of Injustice

  A Sense of Turmoil

  A Sense of Destiny

  Contemporary Titles

  English Contemporary Romance Boxset: Reinventing Radleigh/ Shalimar/Silver Lining

  English Contemporary Romance Boxset 2: Name of the Game / Downsizing / Topspin

  The Hunter Files Boxset: Unfinished Business /

  Risky Business/ Lethal Business