Hold Your Breath 01 - Stone Devil Duke by K.J. Jackson Read Free Book Online Page B

well, thank you for asking. While my recollection of last night’s activities is quite different from yours, you are correct in your assessment of what would happen to my reputation if word spread that I was called out as a coward by a woman. You have chosen an interesting gambit.”
    Her eyes widened a t his use of her name. Damn. He knew too much. Of course he did. He was a blasted duke. He knew whatever the hell he wanted. She took a step backward, hand falling from his arm, only to feel the iron railing press into her backside.
    “ But you are also wagering that I bear resemblance to the majority of men in society.” He closed the space she had just maneuvered. “Unfortunately, my lady, you must know little or nothing of my reputation if you decided so quickly on such a useless tactic.”
    “Useless?” Aggie forced the word out through a choke.
    The throbbing that had, until now, been constant along his jaw, disappeared into a smile. “You see, I simply do not care. I would give absolutely nothing to have society deem me an acceptable gentleman. In fact, I rather enjoy my notorious reputation in society—it keeps the wrong people away.”
    Aggie’s shoulders slumped. “Such as young girls looking for a husband?”
    “Precisely, Lady Augustine.”
    “ Your grace—”
    “Call me Devin.”
    “ Your grace, I do not know you well enough for such an intimacy.”
    “You will.”
    He was too close, too overbearing for Aggie to create even the simplest thought. She looked over her shoulder, searching for air. She needed space before she crumbled to anything he demanded of her.
    Aggie lifted her hand, her gloved fingers landing lightly on his chest. Completely improper, but she was stuck. Not meeting his eyes, she pushed gently, knowing she couldn’t move him, but had to try. “Please, your grace, just a step.” Her eyes met his. “Please.”
    To Aggie’s surprise, he gave her one reverse step. It was enough.
    The duke’s eyes pinned her. He gave her space, but not a moment to catch her breath.
    “Your brother. He is presumed dead?”
    “ My brother?” The topic switch snapped Aggie’s mind back into working order. “No. My brother is presumed missing. Unreachable. Not dead. Whatever you have heard, it is not true. We received a letter from him months ago.”
    “Doe s he not know about your father? That the title is now his?”
    Aggie shook her head. “Messages have been sent. We are awaiting his return.”
    The duke’s eyes swept her face. Aggie swallowed at his look. He didn’t believe her. But why should he? She was lying.
    Aggie pasted a smile on her face. He had taken her over in one breath, and if she was going to get out of this, she couldn’t let him control the conversation. “Your grace, I do believe I must be contrary to your statements about the importance of your reputation in society. I understand you are a close friend, and an even closer business associate of the Marquess of Southfork.”
    His left eyebrow lifted in surprise. She looked up at him, letting the challenge reflect on her face as her mind whipped through all the tidbits of gossip she had heard earlier about the duke. Why hadn’t she paid closer attention?
    “What do you know of Lord Southfork ?”
    “I know you are helping him gain power and money in society. I know that the men you need to impress to gain investment with, will, unfortunately, not take very kindly to a coward.” She inwardly cringed at her own words, but she had to say it once more. Options were limited.
    His jaw began to throb again . And he took back the step of space he had just given her. “Yes, Lady Augustine, you are correct about my situation with Lord Southfork. But you underestimate me if you believe that ultimately, I would not sacrifice my good friend’s advancement in society, if it meant utilizing an opportunity to glorify the notorious reputation that I have worked so hard to earn. Killian will do fine, with or without my prodding of