Sins of a Wicked Duke (The Penwich School for Virtuous Girls #1)(16)

Dragging a hand over his face, he contemplated locating her. She hadn’t exactly responded to his proposition…but there had been something in her gaze, a spark. With the right amount of persuasion, she could come around. He had been charming women out of their skirts since his fourteenth year. He did it well. His wealth, lofty title, and wicked reputation all conspired to break down the most resistant lady. Sin had become his life’s purpose.

Dominic closed his eyes and pressed his fingers against his eyelids, attempting to assuage the dull ache growing there.

“Ah, you’re awake. Shall I bring your clothes to you, Your Grace?”

He dropped his hand from his eyes and peered up at Diddleworth’s ingratiating smile. A flush glowed beneath the light coating of powder on his hollow cheeks.

Dominic grimaced. “Later.”

“Oh.” The valet’s expression fell. His gaze shifted to the salver he held, scattered with correspondence. “Then perhaps we could use this time to run through your social calendar and decide which invitations to accept?”

“You mean I’m still being invited into Society?” He snorted, then grinned, recalling the incident four years ago that marked his decision to depart British Society.

He thought theton had banned him after his dip in Lady Waverly’s garden pond during a soiree honoring the engagement of her daughter. Especially since he had convinced Lady Waverly’s daughter to join him.Nude . A small chuckle escaped him. The young lady had been none too thrilled about her upcoming nuptials and quite eager for a little diversion.

“Of course.” Diddlesworth sniffed indignantly. “You’re a duke. A coveted guest to any fête. People fall over themselves for you and rightly so.”

Dominic made an inarticulate sound in his throat, even as he supposed there was some truth to what his valet claimed. The season’s hostesses likely deemed his presence an enlivening element to any event.

“Let them fall over themselves then. I have no desire to go out. Not to anyton event, at any rate.” It was no longer necessary to scandalize Society. He’d proven he was irredeemable. Precisely the demon his grandfather charged him to be.



Frustration flashed in Diddlesworth’s eyes. “Your Grace, you cannot hole yourself away—”

“I’ve no intention of holing myself away. I intend to go out this very night.” Though, why he bothered to defend himself to his vexing valet, he hadn’t a clue.

Diddlesworth’s face brightened. “Indeed, Your Grace?”

“To Madame Fleur’s. I understand she is having one of her masques.”

“Madame Fleur?” His features scrunched in a scowl. “Is she not a…courtesan? You’re going to a brothel?”

Dominic crossed his ankles and folded his hands behind his head. “A brothel,” he snorted. “Madame Fleur is legend. She would be most offended to hear you designate her venerable establishment to a scurrilous brothel.”

“I can think to describe it only thusly, Your Grace. You do yourself no service crossing its threshold.” Diddlesworth frowned in a manner too reminiscent of Dominic’s stuffy old grandfather. The realization went down like a bitter pill, and he had to question why he allowed Adams to force a bloody valet on him in the first place. He had gone without one while abroad. He certainly did not require one now. Adams was set in his ways, though, and still believed in running a household like it was 1810, with all the pomp and ceremony of bewigged footmen and fastidious valets.

“See here, Diddlewatts—”

“Diddlesworth.”

“You’re not my keeper. I go where I want, when I want. If you don’t care for the way I live, you’re free to seek a position elsewhere. Understand?”

Diddlesworth nodded tightly, although he still wore that infernal frown.

“Good.” Rolling on his side, Dominic presented the valet with his back. “That will be all, Diddle-knot,” he tossed over his shoulder. “I’ll let you know if I have need of you. Do not disturb me again.”

He heard the man’s exasperated breath, but this time the valet did not correct him on the proper pronunciation of his name. “Very good, sir.”

Dominic smiled at the soft tread fading from the room, wondering how far he would have to go before the fop resigned. Perhaps then Adams would rest on the matter of his needing a valet. The demon duke did not require a watchdog.



“This bucket isso heavy.”

Fallon ignored Nancy’s soft exclamation and fixed her attention on the massive arrangement of flowers she was carrying to the foyer table. Her arms strained from the effort, but she knew the average man could heft the heavy vase full of water and flowers and she best appear the average man.

“Oh!” Nancy grunted.

Fallon darted a quick glance to where the maid dropped the bucket on the marbled floor in a great display of drama, her expression one of pain as she rubbed the small of her back.

Set the vase down and don’t look back. Don’t meet her gaze.Fallon had done her best to avoid the girl—especially with the duke’s warning ringing in her ears—but she had taken to shadowing Fallon.

The maid tried again. Groaning, she lifted the bucket again. “Ugh, this is soheavy .”

Setting the vase upon the center of the marble-topped table, Fallon inwardly sighed. What choice did she have? A red-blooded man wouldnever ignore an attractive woman. Especially one in need of help—however feigned. And Fallon must, foremost, appear as a man. Squaring her shoulders, she faced the maid.