The Duke’s Scandalous Kiss Read online

  Lorna gritted her teeth. He thought of nothing but how he appealed to women.

  The tone of Everleigh’s voice softened. “I’m sorry. I’m used to distancing myself from respectable ladies and their dreams of a future with me. I know better than to put you into that group, though.”

  Patting her hand where it rested on his sleeve, he added, “Although, I suppose others might still consider you respectable after having rendezvoused in the woods with a rakehell several times.”

  “I—still—?”

  His deep, rich laugh wasn’t loud enough to draw attention. “There’s the brave woman I remember. I would fear for the gentlemen in London when you descend upon them, but you’ve managed to stay safe all this time.”

  “Most of them keep to themselves now when I’m nearby. Julia says I should be more agreeable. I find them quite dull.”

  Everleigh made a sharp turn between an elephant and a bird topiary, bringing Lorna with him. They were sheltered by willows there, unnoticed by the others on the path.

  Lorna held her breath. What did he have in mind?

  He led her behind a stone dovecote. There, he drew her into his arms. “Aren’t you hoping they’ll do this?”

  With no more warning, he captured her lips. Lorna couldn’t resist the fury of the emotion his kiss sent through her. The scent of polished leather and earthy sandalwood overpowered the fragrant flowers nearby. His very presence swallowed her whole.

  She had no other opportunity available before she left Scotland.

  She stood like a statue, unwilling to push him away as she knew she should. She could think of nothing but the feel of his plundering lips. The way his hands held her captive. A very willing captive.

  A very foolish captive.

  Lorna pushed against his firm chest.

  Everleigh dropped his arms and stepped away, raking a hand through his hair. “Can you forgive me? I lost my head.”

  She couldn’t pretend outrage. “I believe it was quite firmly pressed against my lips.”

  Spinning to face her, his jaw went slack. He laughed loudly.

  “Hush, someone will hear you.”

  “I’m still not certain I heard you say what I think you did. You’re not the typical young miss I encounter.”

  Her gaze dropped and her smile went away. He’d discovered her biggest fault. She needn’t fear he’d discover he had feelings for her. “You now understand why the men in London avoid me.”

  “Avoid you? They must be daft. I find your company delightful.”

  She waited, but he said nothing more on the subject. After studying her with his thoughts carefully guarded, he said simply, “I must return you to your grandmother before she realizes you’re missing.”

  The next day, Grandmama took the girls on morning calls to say goodbye to their friends. At their third stop, Lorna’s world fell apart.

  She and Julia sat to one side of the drawing room with a friend, talking of the men who’d attended the picnic.

  Julia suddenly nudged Lorna and nodded toward where Grandmama sat with their hostess. The two matrons whispered, their heads together, both staring at Lorna.

  They might have looked in Julia’s direction, or the other girl’s, but Lorna could feel the chastisement in Grandmama’s narrowed gaze.

  She knew.

  What she knew was unclear, but they’d already overstayed the polite length of a casual call, so Lorna would find out too soon for her liking.

  Once they were seated in their carriage, Grandmama’s pinched expression made Lorna sink deeper into the leather seat. “You’re the object of much speculation this morning.”

  There was no doubt she wasn’t speaking to Julia. “Oh? How surprising,” Lorna said.

  Julia didn’t even snort at the audacity of Lorna’s response.

  “It is said you and Everleigh were more…congenial than one would expect on casual acquaintance.”

  Relief tampered some of Lorna’s fear. No one had seen them kiss. She glanced at her aunt from the corner of her eye and received a silent nod. “He stayed at your home just a few weeks ago. He’s trying to free Declan. One can’t call that a casual acquaintance.”

  “A duke should know better than to be so friendly with a young lady. You were seen walking away from the others.” Grandmama’s voice grew sharper with each word.

  Lorna squeezed her eyes shut. “We were seen walking. That proves we didn’t want to give anyone another impression.”

  Hearing her grandmother’s gasp, Lorna continued. “You know the man. If he had an indiscretion in mind, no one would have discovered us.”

  “Lorna, you’re not helping your situation,” Julia whispered. “Stop talking.”

  “I won’t. Not until Grandmama admits she knows Everleigh better than to believe he would accost me.”

  “I know him better,” Grandmama said. “But others don’t, and they’re the ones I’m concerned about. I won’t point out all the reasons I could give for how foolish your actions were. I’m certain Julia made them clear more than once.”

  Lorna nodded.

  “It’s too late to do anything about it now,” Grandmama continued. “We’ll move up your return to Margrave. You’ll leave in the morning. Prattle will only grow more scandalous as the tale gets ’round. I must tell Jacob to see you are married by summer. You’re too headstrong for your own good, Lorna. One of these days you’ll find yourself in a situation you can’t talk your way out from.”

  Chapter Eight

  On a whim, a very hopeful whim if he admitted it, Everleigh rode the path to Lady Margrave’s property every morning for the next week, but he didn’t see Lorna and he wasn’t going to cause a stir by asking to see her.

  Lorna was truly like no woman he’d met. He knew she didn’t speak so brazenly due to lack of tutoring, which meant it was an impulsiveness she couldn’t restrain. If he were her guardian, he’d have her locked in her bedchamber several years ago until a man could be found to marry her. And then only release her on the morning she rode to the church.

  He’d love to know her better. He knew how to keep her from running wild while still allowing her spirit to be free. He guessed she and her aunt had returned to West Sussex by now. He’d missed his chance to see how well they suited.

  After one such ride through the woods, Everleigh continued to Invernochty to speak with Hardie. As a solicitor, Hardie heard talk about crimes and scandals both inside the jails and out.

  Once he took a seat in the man’s private office, Everleigh spoke first. “What news do you have?”

  “One of my men overheard two farmers in the pub. No names were mentioned, but how many pigs are the topic of discussion lately?”

  Everleigh nodded. “Who were they?”

  “He didn’t know their names, but they work farmland on Pennywise’s property.”

  Leaning forward, his elbows on his knees. “Don’t leave me dangling on the line. What did they say about the pig?”

  “To put it succinctly, one of them mentioned how good it tasted.”

  Everleigh’s stomach sank and he sat back hard. “We’ll never prove Declan’s innocence if we don’t have the pig to prove it.”

  “We must shift our focus to Barrington. Someone must know that he takes bribes. Even if we can’t prove it in Declan’s case, if we show he’s done it another time, we can get Declan’s guilty verdict reversed.”

  Everleigh prayed it was so. It was their last hope of Declan being released before his sentence was complete, and that was still two and a half years away.

  Sitting behind his desk in the dreary library on his estate, Everleigh tried to focus his attention on the pile of bills that had collected while he was searching for answers to help Declan. Despite the burning frustration in his gut, Everleigh couldn’t bring himself to care about the money. All he cared about was Lorna and the way he’d felt kissing her.

  He’d never stolen kisses from an unmarried lady, and he readily admitted how foolish that moment had been. That first moment and those that followed. Lorna hadn’t acted as though she had expectations now. She wasn’t like the young ladies who jumped from a kiss to marriage faster than a fox escaped into his burrow ahead of the hounds.

  Yet that implied she’d been kissed before, and probably by more than one man. How else could they hold no significance for her? The idea increased the burn in his stomach.

  Was he ready to consider marriage? Even thinking about asking himself that question made him want a whisky to calm his nerves. A few whiskies.

  No harm would come from traveling to Margrave to discuss Declan with Jacob, and spending time getting to know her better while he was there. From what he knew of her already, he’d either fall madly in love or accept he was mad to consider settling down.

  His relief when Tristan entered the library was immense. Tristan poured himself a drink and sat opposite the desk. Stacking his papers, Everleigh placed them in a drawer to sort later. “I was just thinking about calling on Jacob.”

  Tristan grinned. “I highly doubt it. You heard my cousin has returned to the estate.”

  “Why would you say that?” Everleigh asked. He hadn’t discussed his feelings with anyone.

  “If you had news, you’d have ridden there without thought. The fact you aren’t certain you’re going says only one thing.”

  Everleigh knew arguing was futile, but he wasn’t ready to acquiesce. “There could be a slew of reasons—” Oh, who was he trying to fool.

  “I thought I’d seen an attraction between you two. Why have you waited to talk to her?”

  Frowning, Everleigh sat back, resting his elbows on the arms of his chair and steepling his fingers. “It’s for the best.”

  “Why do you sound as if you don’t believe that?”

  “Mere foolishness on my part. It will pass.”

  Tristan kicked one leg over the other knee. “You will marry someday and at the very least attempt to sire an heir.”

  “Of course.”

  “Then what are you waiting for?”

  “She hasn’t shown a marked interest in me. At the picnic, Lorna had no more enchantment in me than she did the topiaries.” His thoughts immediately went to their brief moment alone at the picnic. She’d been more than eager to share that kiss, though. He couldn’t dwell on that or Tristan would notice his distraction.

  “The gentleman doth protest too much, methinks.” Tristan raised a hand to stop any interruption. “Lorna isn’t like the others. She doesn’t fall in love easily. She guards her heart well. But I’ve seen how she looks at you. She’d marry you if you asked.”

  “How did my mention of a visit to your brother lead to proposing to Lorna?”

  “You cannot put the blame on me. I suggested the only reason you’d be considering a trip to Margrave was to call on my cousin. Your own thoughts took you down the church aisle.” With a laugh, Tristan escaped the room before Everleigh could throw anything at him.

  Chapter Nine

  Three weeks later, suffering through yet another assembly at the home of one of Margrave’s neighbors, Lorna allowed her partner to sweep her around the large room in an energetic waltz, keeping her smile rigid all the while. Her feet hurt. Her nose burned from the overwhelming stench of too many bodies gathered in one room. How could she be expected to be happy when the only man she wanted was in Scotland.

  How she longed to see Everleigh again. No, seeing him would only be torture if she couldn’t have him forever. Stay beside him. Bear him a family.

  She’d feel worse than she already did.

  When the waltz ended, her partner led her back to her grandmother’s side. Mr. Vermin—or whatever his name was—stood with Grandmama and Julia, but his attention was firmly planted on Lorna.

  Forcing a smile toward the plain, unimaginative banker, Lorna came to a stop beside her aunt. “How delightful to see you here, sir.”

  His mustache twitched in what Lorna took for a smile. Either that or he fought a sneeze. “Will you dance the next set with me?”

  She had no partner for that set, leaving her no excuse to turn him away. “I will.” She couldn’t add the expected expression of delight or enjoyment. Her feelings were nothing of the sort.

  Mr. Vermin was wealthy enough, proper enough, and pleasantly situated to make him a fine husband for any woman, and an unobjectionable one for the daughter of an earl. The only thing lacking was affection on either side. He demonstrated none and she felt none. Being escorted around the village by him the few times he’d taken her for a ride held as much excitement as hearing her Jacob plan which female dog to breed to his prized hound.

  To say Lorna wanted more was a great understatement. After Grandmama’s proclamation that she must agree to a betrothal soon, she’d given up hope for a deep, lasting love. She’d settle for a fondness that would grow into love in time.

  Desperation was upon her. Mr. Vermin was one of the men she had decided upon for Lorna. Jacob hadn’t expressed an opinion, but he made no argument regarding the grain of a threat Grandmama had planted as a warning to treat her gentlemen callers more seriously.

  The musicians sitting in the far corner of the little room played a short march signaling the country dance was about to begin. Mr. Vermin led her to their places among the other dancers. While the others spoke to each other when the steps brought them near enough, Mr. Vermin kept his expression bland.

  “The weather has been delightful,” Lorna said in passing. It was often said she could carry an entire conversation herself, so she would do just that. Grandmama always said a lady appeared at her best when she smiled. Smiling through her boredom might draw her to the attention of someone more interesting.

  “I hear the Prince Regent will be traveling to Scotland in a fortnight.” Oh, why had she mentioned Scotland? Her smile became even more forced to fight off the sudden ache in her heart.

  “I don’t listen to gossip, so I have no interest in the comings and goings of the Royal Family.” Mr. Vermin’s voice was as stiff as his posture.

  “This assembly is quite the crush.” She was determined he couldn’t make her as dull as he was.

  After the end of their set, Mr. Vermin left her with Julia after a rigid bow.

  “I’m glad that’s done,” she whispered to Julia.

  “You should be grateful for any gentleman’s attention. If the prattle of Invernochty reaches Town, you might have no other choice of husband.”

  “That cannot happen. I should have accepted one of the offers I received last year. None of them were what I seek, but they are nowhere near the dry character of Mr. Vermin.”

  “Vernon. His name is Vernon,” Julia snapped back. “Please look upon this as the beginning of a grand adventure. You aren’t being sentenced to hang.”

  “I’ll try.” And she would. Lorna doubted she could convince herself marriage to any man was grand, but at least marrying where there was no love meant she would never suffer the great pain of losing that love.

  The next afternoon, after Lorna and Julia received a note from Mr. Vernon requesting their company, Lorna strolled at his side in Margrave Village. The sun burned brightly on the pavement, where anyone who wished to be noticed gathered. Not many wealthy families lived nearby, so there wasn’t a crowd of any size, but the familiar faces gave Lorna a bit of comfort.

  Julia followed a few steps behind, escorted by man who owned several shops.

  A cabriolet came toward them from the opposite direction, carrying Lady Sanderson—a notorious gossip—and her daughter. They halted, blocking the path of Lorna and her friends.

  “Mr. Vernon, I’m surprised to find you escorting Lady Lorna. Didn’t you hear the news?”

  Mr. Vermin tipped his head to look at Lorna, who smiled at him and said nothing.

  It was difficult to keep the smile in place while gritting her teeth as she realized word of her trip to Scotland had arrived. Pretending not to understand, she said, “Mr. Vernon is delightful company. Why would I choose anyone else?” The words—and their implication—practically stuck in her throat.

  Lady Sanderson lifted her chin with the air of one who had something to hold over Lorna. “It wasn’t your interest I questioned, Lady Lorna, but now that I think on it, with Everleigh in Town, we’ll see how long your attention to Mr. Vernon lasts.”

  Everleigh was here? Why hadn’t he contacted her? He had said he didn’t have reason to come to Margrave. Her heart raced with hope he’d come to see her.

  “Lady Lorna hasn’t demonstrated a desire to be in another man’s company. Good day.” Mr. Vernon led Lorna off the path to continue their stroll.

  Obviously, Mr. Vernon hadn’t heard the story in any of its likely versions. Faced with a dilemma, she wasn’t certain what to do now. Encourage an attachment with Mr. Vernon before he knew of her, erm, friendship with Everleigh, or wait until she knew the duke’s intent?

  By the end of the next month she would be betrothed, either to Mr. Vernon or another man of Jacob’s choosing. That would finally put to rest any remaining dreams of Everleigh.

  After a brief silence, Mr. Vernon spoke again. “Everleigh has quite the reputation. I’m surprised to hear his name connected to yours.”

  Lorna slowed her step, wishing Julia and her gentleman friend would catch up so they couldn’t speak of private matters. “He and my cousins are good friends. He called on Tristan while we were in Scotland.”

  Called on Tristan didn’t come close to describing her relationship with Everleigh, if she’d wished to do so. How inaccurate had the tale of their acquaintance grown since she’d left Grandmama’s home? Either the word had only recently arrived, or no titillating embellishments had been added, because no one had mentioned it before this. She’d be barred from the grandest homes if a compromising situation the day of the picnic was mentioned.

  Lorna felt crushed by Everleigh’s lack of contact since she’d left. Propriety said he couldn’t write, of course, but nothing in his actions gave the idea he worried about propriety. That was one of the primary reasons she’d fallen for him. That, and his handsome, expressive looks, the sound of his laughter when it rang from deep within. He had so much about him to love.