Duchess Beware (Secrets & Scandals Book 2) by Tiffany Green Read Free Book Online

shall delay you no longer.”
    Her breath caught.  She spun around and fled the room.
    Daniel curled his hands into fists and cursed himself for being the King of Fools.  With a sigh, he stormed back to his chair and scooped up his wine glass.  The sooner he returned to England, the better.
    Tomorrow, if he could manage it.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Four
     
    Silver rubbed her sleepy eyes and stifled a yawn as she made her way downstairs.  She found it impossible to sleep in her childhood bedroom.  Everywhere she turned, something would dredge up a painful memory.  The tattered ragdoll with the red gingham dress her mother had made for her, the wooden horse her father had carved, the tiny tea set her brothers had bought for her seventh birthday.  She swallowed, trying to ease the tightness in her throat.  How fortunate she hadn’t taken any of it with her to England.  Her guardians would have burned her toys just as they had all her pretty dresses.
    Turning toward the kitchen, her steps slowed.  Would the duke be there?  Did he break his fast this early in the morning?  His odd behavior last night had also kept her awake.  Even now, she still had no answers.  Why had he wanted her to stay one minute, but seem so angry the next?  She wrapped her arms around her middle.  Why had he kissed her on the ship and nearly again in the coach?  Why did he act as though he wanted to pull her close with one hand yet push her away with the other? 
    The smell of fried ham and fresh baked bread drifted to her from the kitchen.  Something, or should she say someone, had stolen Silver’s appetite.  Along with everything else on her mind, she wasn’t prepared to face the duke yet.  So she hurried to the back door, not wishing to be seen.  Perhaps a brisk walk would help her sort things out and provide her with some answers.
    Stepping outside, Silver closed her eyes against the bright sunshine and breathed in the sweet morning air.  The gentle fragrance from the roses blooming within the garden alongside the house brought memories of her mother.  Pain and remorse slammed into her, trying to snatch the very breath from her body.  She released a shaky sigh. 
    “Would you mind if I joined you?”
    Grateful for the interruption for where her thoughts were about to take her, Silver opened her eyes and turned to Garrett.  “Not at all.”  She attempted a smile.
    He cocked his head to the side.  “Something disturbs you.”
    She forced all emotion from her face, having perfected the façade over the years.  Any hurt or pain she felt could not show around Aunt Caroline and her cousin Katrina, else they’d use the weakness against her.  She attempted a smile.  “It’s nothing.”  When Garrett raised an eyebrow, she nodded in the direction of the stables.  “Want to have a look at Fiona?”
    His dark eyes sparked with interest.  “Your horse?”
    “Yes.”  She stepped down from the rear steps.  “And on the way, you can explain to me why you call the duke by his given name at times.”  She kept her features serious.  “I thought improper address was a serious crime against the nobles, punishable by death.”
    Garrett nodded his agreement.  “Oh, indeed it is.  They use the guillotine for those heinous offenses,” he said with a hint of laughter in his voice, “but Daniel cannot find a better horse trainer.”  He winked.  “The old fellow has tried to manage without me and found it impossible.”
    Grateful she had successfully maneuvered the conversation away from her past, Silver laughed.  “Surely, you jest.”
    Placing his right hand over his heart, he gave a bow.  “Guilty,” he admitted, straightening.
    She turned to the stables.  “So how did the two of you become such good friends?” A knot of uncertainty filled her stomach after asking that question.  Why discuss the duke?  Did she really want to know so much about him?  Of course, she did have an insatiable appetite