Devil Disguised by Karolyn Howard Read Free Book Online Page B

on the ground.
    The man cried out, “Villain!”
    Then the man swung and struck Duncan on the side of the face.
    His cheek stung as he recognized his butler’s voice. “Simon, you fool, it’s me!”
    “Oh, my lord! Beg your pardon, sir!”
    Duncan moved off Simon and they stood up together. “What the hell are you doing?”
    Simon replied, “I heard a noise and came to investigate.”
    “So did I. What did you find?”
    “Nothing, but the back door was open and I am certain it was closed before. I was going to search the grounds when I heard another noise in the hallway, which I assume now, was you.”
    Duncan nodded as he saw Simon gape as he turned towards Lily. “My lady!”
    If Duncan had a coat, he would have taken it off and thrown it over her. Simon looked at Duncan obviously at a loss for further words and then removed his robe. Handing the robe to Lily, he said, “Please, for you.”
    Taking the robe from his butler, she blushed and said, “Thank you.”
    Duncan said, “Simon, check the grounds. I will take Lady Montgomery back up to her room and I will check on Eleanor.”
    Simon nodded and walked away from them. Duncan turned and looked at Lily. “We should go.”
    She shook her head. “Wait.”
    “Must you always challenge me,” he asked harshly.
    “I just think you need some ice for your cheek.” She gently touched his face where Simon had struck him and then pulled her hand back swiftly as if she touched fire. Glancing over him, she appeared uneasy before she stepped back.
    He took a deep breath and said, “I will take care of it later, but I appreciate your concern.”
    Duncan took her elbow to lead her upstairs. As much as he would enjoy her administrations, he needed to get her as far away from him as possible. He opened her door and did a quick check of her bedroom. Satisfied no onewas in the room, he stopped in the doorway as he felt her hand gently touch his arm. She whispered, “Thank you.”
    Turning to face her, he sighed before he said, “If you hear a noise in the future, please wake me or one of the staff.” He stepped back slightly into the hallway. “Also, Lily, please remember to wear a robe if you venture out in the middle of the night.”
    She narrowed her eyes as she placed one fist on her hip. “Certainly, as long as you remember to wear a shirt!”
    She glared at him just before she slammed the door in his face.

LEASE TELL ME you are not avoiding my brother again.” Eleanor pushed on the plush pillow behind her as she propped herself upright on her bed.
    “No, of course not. I thought we could dine together since the doctor wanted you to stay in tonight. Remember, no one likes to dine alone.”
    Lily waved at the servant who had been at the door and he wheeled in a cart of food.
    “Yes, but that means my brother will be dining alone. Again.”
    “I am sure he will be fine.” Lily looked away from her friend’s intense stare.
    “Lily, what are you not telling me?”
    Lily fidgeted and then reached out to help the servant with the food. “I just think that a day apart from the earl might be a good thing after last night.”
    Eleanor reached out and took Lily’s hand, stopping her from arranging the food on a table next to the settee. “You are turning the color of a cranberry. What happened last night? Simon told me you all thought you heard an intruder, but no one was found. What else happened?”
    Lily stood and turned away from Eleanor. “I may have slammed my bedroom door in the proximity of your brother’s face.”
    She heard Eleanor’s audible gasp. “Lily! What on earth happened? Did he do something inappropriate?”
    “No. He was a gentleman.”
    Who was not wearing a shirt when he should have been, Lily thought. The image of the chiseled muscles of Duncan’s chest was firmly etched now in her mind. She felt her cheeks heat again as she remained facing away from Eleanor.
    “Lily, please look at me.” Eleanor’s voice was full of concern.
    Lily