Of Dukes and Deceptions by Wendy Soliman Read Free Book Online Page B

“You interest me in spite of your disappointing choice in literature. If you have a romantic nature, there are better ways of satisfying it than through the pages of a book, you know.”
    Alicia had no intention of embarking upon a discussion about romantic love with such a formidable sophisticate. She turned away. “If you’re already so bored that you’re obliged to turn to me for entertainment, perhaps you shouldn’t have come here in the first place.”
    “Very possibly not. But I’m here now, and I think it only fair to warn you that I have you in my sights.”
    The room suddenly felt very hot and Alicia was obliged to fan herself rather violently. Quite what this odious gentleman thought he was about she couldn’t begin to imagine, but she had no intention of dancing to his tune.
    His eyes were again trained upon her face, which she supposed was an improvement upon where they’d been resting just before that. For the first time since making his acquaintance, she couldn’t detect any arrogance in his expression. There was something else there, though. Something she was at a loss to identify. Her whole body trembled as an alien feeling flooded its outermost reaches and pooled rather agreeably in the pit of her stomach. What in God’s name was he doing to her? If he’d been anyone else, she might have suspected she was mildly attracted to him. But the last thing she felt toward His Grace was attraction. In fact, she actively disliked him.
    The music came to an end and all eyes turned to the duke, seeking his approval. He stood up and applauded, even though Alicia knew he hadn’t listened to a single note. He made a few complimentary noises about the composer but couldn’t be drawn into complimenting the musicians themselves.
    Whilst he was thus engaged, Alicia, not caring how rude it appeared, seized the opportunity to escape.
    Alicia’s precipitate departure went unobserved by all, with the exception of Nick. He was surprised by her determination to escape him. But not fooled by her strategy. Her disinterest in him had to be a sham and, by turning away, she’d cleverly succeeded in increasing his interest. During the course of their earlier conversation he’d observed the battle she was waging with her own emotions. The girl was hopeless at dissembling and her thoughts were easily interpreted. She’d decided to take him in dislike and was already having a difficult time sticking to that resolve.
    Nick sighed softly. Without Alicia’s presence, the room felt empty and he’d never been so bored in his life. He forced himself to attend to Maria’s breathless chatter, and it was after midnight before he could escape.
    In a filthy temper he threw open the door to his chamber, shrugged out of his coat and tossed it at Gibson.
    “Bad as that, was it?”
    “Worse.” Nick wrenched off his neckcloth and flung it on the bed with considerable force. “The next time I take it into my head to accept an invitation from a total stranger, don’t let me do it. Lock me in my room. Have me committed to Bedlam, if you must, but for heaven’s sake stop me doing anything rash.”
    Gibson chuckled. “I did try to tell you.”
    “Yes, and I should have paid heed.” His waistcoat went the same way as his neckcloth. “We’d best see what Woodley wants to talk to me about and cut our visit short, before I do anything I might regret.”
    “I thought you might say that.” Gibson scratched his ear with considerable vigour. “But wot about Alicia Woodley? Did she make it bearable?”
    Nick responded in a lackadaisical drawl. “To some extent.”
    Gibson’s features arranged themselves into an expression of elaborate circumspection. “Then surely you won’t wanna leave here before you’ve tamed her?”
    “No, of course not. We have a wager, if memory serves.”
    “Aye,” Gibson said with a world-weary sigh. “That we do.”
    “There you are then. I’ll bring Miss Woodley to heel, which won’t take long, and