Unmasking the Duke's Mistress (Gentlemen of Disrepute #1)(64)

She gave a small scream when she saw him sitting behind the desk. ‘They said that you would not be—’ The woman bit off what she had been about to say. ‘That is, I—I….’ She twisted her small black gloved hands tight together.


Dominic’s fingers relaxed around the handle of his pistol for he recognised the voice and he knew who it was standing there before him. ‘What are you doing sneaking into my study, Lady Marianne?’ He raised one eyebrow and looked at her with his sternest face.

‘Then you know that it is me,’ she said softly and slipped the hood back to reveal her fair hair scraped back in a severe chignon. Lady Marianne Winslow stood there, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, her eyes huge and frightened. She clutched the cloak to her as if he were a beast about to ravish her.

‘You have not answered my question,’ he said without the flicker of a smile.

Lady Marianne’s face drained of all colour. She began to edge towards the door. ‘I fear there has been a dreadful mistake,’ she said and he could hear the slight tremor that shook her voice. ‘I should not be here.’

‘No, Lady Marianne. You should not.’ He rose and in one swift motion was across the floor to block her exit.

Lady Marianne gave a gasp and stopped where she was. ‘Please, your Grace. Let me leave unaccosted.’

‘You may leave once you have told me what you are doing here.’ His words were so cold and hard that she actually shivered.

She nodded her submission. ‘I was told that you would not be here, that I was to steal in unnoticed and leave a letter upon your desk. After which I must leave again as quietly as I had entered.’ She slipped a hand into her pocket and held out a neatly folded letter. He could see the paper shaking between her fingers.

He took it from her, noting that the front was addressed to his name alone. ‘Who sent you?’ he asked as he broke the sealing wax.

Lady Marianne gave no answer.

He began opening up the letter. ‘Spit it out, Lady Marianne, or rest assured I will keep you here until you do.’

The girl shook her head. ‘I will not tell you,’ she whispered.

He opened the last fold of the letter. And he knew then who had sent her and what this was about. For the paper was blank.

He moved swiftly to the bell and rang it. His butler appeared almost immediately.

‘Escort this young lady out via the back door, Bentley.’

Bentley was experienced enough not to reveal anything of his surprise at finding a young woman alone in his master’s study. ‘Shall I summon a hackney carriage for the lady, your Grace?’

‘No.’

Bentley glanced up at Dominic, the question clear in his eyes before his lowered them again.

‘I am sure that she has her papa awaiting outside this house even as we speak,’ he said to the butler, and then to Lady Marianne, ‘Am I not right?’

Even if she spoke not one word, she was betrayed by the blush that stained her cheeks.

‘Get her out of here as quickly as you can, Bentley,’ he commanded, knowing that he was right about what had been planned for this night.

But it was too late.

Already he could hear the hammering of fists upon the front door and heard the men enter the house without the decency of waiting for an invitation.

‘I will fetch Hillard and Dowd immediately, your Grace.’ As Bentley opened the study door two men rushed in.

‘There is no need, Bentley. I will deal with this. Leave us.’

The butler looked unconvinced, but he left all the same just as he had been told.

Dominic moved back to resume his seat.

‘Good evening, gentlemen. I have been expecting you,’ said Dominic as he surveyed the Earl of Misbourne and Viscount Linwood who were standing between him and Lady Marianne. ‘What a nice family reunion        .’

‘Papa! Francis!’ She cried and hurried to her father and brother. ‘Thank goodness you are here. It has all gone horribly wrong!’

‘No, Lady Marianne, I suspect it has gone entirely according to plan,’ said Dominic grimly. He gestured to the two chairs on the other side of his desk. ‘Do take a seat, gentlemen.’

Misbourne ignored him and stayed where he was. He puffed out his chest. ‘Look here, you scoundrel, Arlesford. What do you think you are doing with my daughter? You have abducted her with the intention of seducing her.’

‘What are you saying, Papa? You sent me here to deliver—’

‘Silence, Marianne! Do not dare to utter another word, you foolish chit!’ roared the earl.

The girl’s face paled and she rapidly closed her mouth and backed away to stand by the door.

‘Well, Arlesford?’ demanded the earl.

‘Well?’ echoed Dominic.

‘You must know that she is ruined just by being here—a gently bred innocent alone in the house of one of London’s most scandalous rakes.’

‘If it becomes known that she is here, then, yes, I agree, your daughter’s reputation would not remain unscathed.’

‘Then you will do the gentlemanly thing and save both her honour and your own by offering for her hand?’ Misbourne’s eyes glittered as he said the words. He could barely keep the smile from his face.

‘Indeed not, sir. As you have already pointed out, I am known as a rake. Why should I care that Lady Marianne is ruined? She is your daughter.’