A Captain's Order - A Duke's Command (Hot Regency Read) (Scandalous Series Book 2) by Tamara Gill Read Free Book Online Page A

to Gabe, she deserved the right. He had lied to her. Lied repeatedly, and yet, only to save her from truths that would hurt—had hurt her. She herself was not entirely honest when she'd first met him. Had she not looked at him with longing no virginal maiden should ever know, asked him to teach her to shoot a gun when she could hit a small mark accurately at a hundred yards?
    Trivial lies, but lies just the same.
    By the time they pulled across from Putney Heath, the birds were singing a tune to the new day. The glow of dawn painted the horizon, dimming her hope of arriving in time.
    “Come, we must hurry.” Her driver jumped down from the box and ran behind her toward a park. Eloise looked about, not really knowing where she was going. They would have to be around here somewhere.
    “'Tis nearly dawn, my lady.”
    “I know.” She inwardly cursed the reminder. Bad enough they were duelling at all. Men and their stupid rules of honor. Whatever was wrong with discussing one's problems like the gentlemen they were supposed to be? Two shots sounded behind a copse of trees just ahead of them. Eloise slid to a stop. Her blood ran cold in her veins, and, picking up her skirts, she ran.
    At the sight that beheld her, Eloise, without hesitation, pulled out her flintlock, aimed, and fired at Fenshaw. The man had wounded the duke, and against all rules, was taking aim to shoot him again. Relief poured over her like a balm when her shot sent his lordship's gun flying from his hand, split in two pieces.
     
    Gabe instinctively ducked at the sound of a second gunshot. He turned to see Fenshaw clasping his hand, another pistol shattered at his feet. Confused, he scanned the park, then stilled at the sight of Eloise. Gun still pointed, smoke billowing about her like an avenging angel. At that moment, he knew she was
    Indeed a seraph. One who had saved his life. Guilt over Fenshaw's sister or a warped sense of honour had made Gabe fire over Fenshaw's head. He'd planned to accept whatever punishment providence dealt him, but apparently, Fenshaw had not been satisfied with his initial effort and thought to twist fate to meet his own agenda.
    Fenshaw's second kicked his friend's gun away and helped the man toward his carriage.
    Gabe called after him. “My apologies, Fenshaw. What happened between your sister and me…I made a mistake, and I wish I could repair the damage I did, but I cannot.”
    Eloise came and stood beside him, her eyes wide with concern at the wound to his arm. “I would have married her,” he said and heard a growl of displeasure from Eloise.
    Fenshaw halted his retreat. “Bollocks,” he said in a menacing tone. “You used her, then left her defenceless. Carrying your child.”
    “You are wrong. When your sister confessed her condition, I told her I would support her, make her and the child comfortable for the rest of her days. She fled that night. For weeks, I searched but could find no trace of her. Only when my man notified me of her whereabouts and her true identity did I realize what I must do. I came to see you, but you would not admit me. I wrote to you requesting her hand in marriage, but by then, you had shipped her off to an asylum.”
    “Where you left her to die,” Fenshaw said through clenched teeth.
    Gabe looked at the man with disgust. Pigheaded bastard. “No, Fenshaw, you left her to die. I tried to right my wrongs. You wouldn't hear of it. Instead, you spread lies about town of my misdemeanour and sullied my name.”
    “And you left England because of it all.” Eloise clasped his arm and frowned. “Oh, Gabe, I'm so sorry I didn't give you a chance to explain.”
    “I was ordered to leave. My father made it patently obvious he wished never to see me again. He was granted his wish when he died two years ago.”
    “I'm so sorry.” Eloise hugged him, needing to hear his wonderful heart beat beneath his shirt.
    He shrugged as he watched Fenshaw climb into his carriage. “You have no reason to