Duke of Darkness by Anabelle Bryant Read Free Book Online Page A

Julia? You did speak to her, did you not?” Devlin tried to sustain a nonchalant air but in truth, much depended upon his friend’s answer.
    “Of course I brought my sister. She’s flittering about somewhere downstairs. Did you think Julia would stay home if she knew I planned to visit?” Phin didn’t say more. They were keenly aware of the comment’s implication. Julia held a long-running entendre for Devlin, and while no one was supposed to acknowledge it and the lady in question did her very best to hide her feelings, Phineas and Devlin had known about the crush for years. At times it was uncomfortable. Still there was nothing to be done about it. Phineas introduced her to dozens of bachelors, aside from the attention she drew herself, yet as far as Devlin knew, her ardour had not lessened over the years.
    “Well, what did she say about my ward? Did you explain the situation? Ask her to do me the favour? Help launch Alexandra?”
    “You are an audacious scoundrel, Devlin Ravensdale. Sending me to do your dirty work. As if she’d refuse. Julia is exceedingly enthusiastic about the entire notion. She asked me dozens of questions of which I had no ready answers. Meanwhile, I am sure in her mind she anticipates all the time she will spend here with the off chance you might meander through the parlour or invite her to stay for tea.”
    “I don’t drink tea.”
    “Not the point. I just don’t want to see her hurt. No matter what I do or say, she still entertains the thought someday you will look at her and … uh, I can’t even say it.” Phineas finished his brandy and set the glass down, anxious to change the subject. “So tell me about your ward, what’s she like?” He waggled his brows and Devlin returned a severe scowl.
    “There will be none of that.” The finality in his statement caused his friend to chuckle.
    “Oh come now, you went to The Willows expecting a lad and instead discovered a young lady awaiting your protection. You’re going to tell me you didn’t notice what she looks like? How old is she anyway?”
    “One and twenty.” Devlin’s retort was half answer, half growl.
    “Oh, so young. And you’re to see her married? That could take years.”
    Phineas had the insolence to laugh again. Despite his friend stood taller and broader, Devlin wanted to hit him. He finished his brandy instead. “It won’t take years, and you and I are not that much older than one and twenty.”
    “Ridiculous. It seems like that part of my life, the carefree easy days, are quite some time ago.”
    There was a bit of commotion outside, King’s rough bark followed by a sharper, high-pitched yip.
    “As if you aren’t carefree now. Who do you think you’re talking to?” Devlin strode to the terrace doors and out onto the balcony. He scowled as Phineas took his place beside him.
    Below, Devlin’s English sheepdog pursued Alexandra’s white terrier; the two engaged in a merry chase. The small pup was quicker and able to dart and change direction with the agility of a rabbit. Meanwhile King was overweight and cumbersome from partaking of too many sugar biscuits with his owner. His bark was the most energetic portion of his effort.
    “King! Henry! Stop that at once!”
    The twittering of laugher that floated up to the balcony caused the men to peer over the railing.
    “Hell’s teeth.” Devlin’s scowl grew darker. Directly below, Ladies Alexandra and Julia stared up at the two of them, their laughter barely contained, not just at the scene before them but at the ridiculous nature of his exclamation, too.
    Meanwhile, at his left, Phineas eyed Alexandra and muttered with emphatic appreciation, “Oh my.”

Chapter Nine
    “I think we should plan a ball or some kind of social.” Julia’s eyes lit with her suggestion and Alexandra smiled in amusement at her new friend’s overflowing enthusiasm.
    Devlin did not intend to be the wet hat, but the thought of anyone other than the few chosen people that