In Need of a Duke (The Heart of a Duke 0.5)(10)

Those items represented memories.

Her vision blurred. Aldora removed her spectacles and made to move the smudge of dirt from the glass as a teardrop slipped down her cheek.

“We meet again, my lady.”

Aldora gasped. Her spectacles slipped from her fingers and toppled to the gardens below.

She spun around, a hand pressed to her breast as she came face to face with the Marquess of St. James.





Michael Knightly had battled through the tedium of the evening. He’d not turned from the sickeningly fascinated stares and the curious whispers tittered behind fans and hands.

Except after the monotony of it all, he’d needed to escape. Just for a short while. The crush of the ballroom reminded him of how much he loathed ton functions. He far preferred life in Pembrokeshire, overseeing the men who worked in his coal mines. Hundreds of families were dependent upon the success of his operation, and Michael prided himself on the quality work conditions and benefits he offered to those who worked for him. Those men and women were honest. They appreciated the value of hard work and were fair. Unlike the ton, those who found work in the mines were not self-serving, driven by only material gain and societal standing.

He’d made his way to the balcony, craving the crisp, clean night air.

Of course his lovely vixen would be here.

He grinned, feeling lighthearted for the first time since he’d entered Lord and Lady Aldridge’s soiree.

Lady Aldora’s quiet curse reached his ears.

His smile grew. “Did you just curse, my lady?”

She ignored him, feeling around the balustrade wall.

His smile grew. “It appears you’ve lost something—again,” he murmured. “Tsk, tsk, I’m beginning to think that perhaps this is more than mere—”

“Will you help me or not, my lord?”

He opened his mouth to correct her, and then paused. The words died on his lips. He knew the moment she learned his real identity he’d see the loathing in those brown eyes. Time would come soon enough for that, but for now he wanted to enjoy the joy in being with someone who did not know he was the scandalous younger brother who’d killed his friend.

Michael inclined his head. “How can I be of assistance?”

“I don’t normally lose things, you know.”

“Oh?” From their brief meetings, it appeared she did.

Lady Aldora must have assumed he was passing judgment. A little frown formed at the corners of her bow-shaped lips. “I don’t,” she insisted. “And if I need point out, the only reason I lost my necklace was because you nearly bowled me over in the park.”

“Because you were walking down a riding path,” he said.

“And now I dropped my sp—belongings, because you startled me with your unexpected intrusion.” She went on as though he’d not spoken.

Michael moved alongside her. The heady citrusy scent of lemons that clung to her filled the air until he was nearly drunk with a desire for the tart fruit. He gripped the edge of the balustrade and leaned forward. Peering into the gardens below, he took a deep breath as he tried to rein in his emotions.

He frowned.

“That bad?” she said.

He glanced down. Just five or six inches shy of his six foot three inch frame, Lady Aldora towered over ladies and most lords. All he had to do was angle his head ever so slightly and their lips would brush. “There is a row of hedges below,” he explained, his voice hoarse to his own ears.

She caught her lower lip between her teeth and leaned forward.

“There is only one solution.”

“We must go below,” she finished for him.

He’d been going to say that he would have to go down and search for the missing item, but her breathy suggestion danced around them. His gaze wandered back toward the empty gardens. Only now that Lady Aldora had raised the scandalous possibility, he found he rather liked the idea of dancing with the danger of discovery and leading her down into the forbidden gardens below.

“My lord?” she prodded.

Michael held out his arm.

Lady Aldora hesitated for the slightest moment before placing the tips of her fingers on his coat sleeves and allowing him to guide her toward the steps.

“I must thank you for your help,” she said.

“You do know if I’m to help you that you’ll eventually need to confide what it is you’ve lost.”

If he hadn’t been peering at her from the corner of his eyes, he’d have failed to note the way her mouth tightened into a firm, unyielding line. He waited.

“It really wasn’t my fault,” she confessed.

“I’m sure it wasn’t.”

At the dry humor lacing his words, her pursed lips slanted down at the corners. Even frowning she possessed a unique beauty that Michael believed could rival Athena.

“My lord—”

“If we are to avoid discovery, I’d suggest you lower your voice, my lady. That is if you are attempting to avoid discovery.” He shot her a bemused look. “Ahh, so it would seem you are planning to meet someone out here. Tell me.” He leaned close. “Has a certain lord garnered your affections?”

“You presume too much, my lord,” she said a touch too quickly. The pale moonlight highlighted the splotches of color that heightened her cheeks. Hmm, so the young lady had put rather a lot of thought into securing a match with the Marquess of St. James. The thought shouldn’t rankle…and yet, it did. Very much.