Four Dukes and a Devil by Jeaniene Frost, Cathy Maxwell, Tracy Anne Warren, Sophia Nash, Elaine Fox Read Free Book Online Page A

release.
    For a long time, neither moved. They held each other tight.
    Susan found her voice first. “May we do this again?”
    Her question startled a laugh out of him. He rolled off her, bringing her up so she rested on his chest, her legs inter twined with his. Flipping the bedcovers over them, he nuzzled her nose, and promised, “Morning, noon, and night.”
    And so they did.
    Three days later, they finally left their marriage bed—but Susan was no longer the same woman she had been that first night.
    Then, she’d been shy and uncertain of Roan’s love.
    Now, she emerged a woman deeply loved and confident that, at last, she’d found her place in this world…by his side.

Epilogue
    T he Duke of Marlborough’s ball was the last event of the Season. Invitations were coveted. Only the cream of the ton were invited, and no one who received an invitation would consider refusing it.
    Consequently, it was a night to see and be seen.
    However, when the butler announced the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Killeigh, conversation stopped. After all, Killeigh had been a bit infamous at the beginning of the Season, with all that talk of his being an Irish Duke and the Order of Precedence. There were few who didn’t know the story.
    But no one had heard he had married.
    Whispers started from people wondering who the lucky woman was. Word had gone around that Killeigh had purchased one of those new homes in Mayfair and was in the process of buying the best of furnishings.
    The debutantes were the most curious. Their Season had not gone well. Many missed the wise counsel of Miss Rogers. She’d known exactly what to do and what to say in every circumstance. The most unhappy was Lady Theresa. She missed Gerald Grover and wished she’d not tossed him aside for Lord Haven’s vain and stupid son.
    She wondered if she had the courage to defy her parents.
    Two people who were not curious were Ellen and Jane. They had been relieved not to have to worry about their sister. She had apparently taken off. Run away. They agreed it was rude of her, but at least they wouldn’t have to worry about her.
    They turned to see who would appear at Killeigh’s side as his new bride just as a matter of idle curiosity—and then Ellen dropped her punch cup in surprise. It landed on Jane’s new satin slippers, forever staining the fabric, but Jane didn’t care. She was just as shocked as Ellen.
    Their sister stood on the step beside the Duke of Killeigh.
    Susan looked magnificent. Diamonds at her throat, her ears, and nestled in her blond curls sparkled in the candlelight. Her gown could only have come from Madame Lucia’s, the premier dressmaker in London. It was a white muslin trimmed in blue lace. On her feet, she wore sandals made of silver cords.
    Jane leaned close to Ellen’s ears. “Everyone will be wearing those sandals by tomorrow.”
    Ellen nodded. “She looks positively stunning. Who knew Killeigh had so much money?” She frowned. “Of course, can you believe she just took off without telling us?” she muttered.
    “I can believe we’d best do what we must to beg her forgiveness,” Jane answered, and Ellen knew she was right.
    The person most relived to see them was the Honorable Rees Trenholm. He was the first to approach Roan. “Congratulations, Your Grace, on your marriage.” He bowed to Susan. “Killeigh could not have chosen a more beautiful woman for his bride.”
    Susan blushed but she was actually very nervous. “I pray you, Mr. Trenholm, how does the wind blow? Will there be much gossip?”
    Rees laughed. “Of course there will be, but what do you care? The two of you look absolutely happy with each other.”
    And they were.
    “As for myself,” Rees said, “I am happy to see you show your face at last, Your Grace. There is a matter of a little wager on the Betting Book at White’s.” He raised his voice so all could hear. “The matter of a dance has not yet been resolved. And there have been several who