Bewitching the Duke

There was nothing she could do now. Tears blurred her sight as she staggered to the staircase.

Slowly, she walked down the stairs. Randall’s face was pale as she passed him.

“I’m so sorry, Miss White,” he whispered with a quick glance up the stairs.

“Thank you, Randall.”

“It’s gotten dark, do you want me to have a footman escort you home?”

She knew the estate was safe for her to walk even at night. Every one of the tenants was her friend. “No, I shall be fine.”

She glanced back up the steps to see the duke staring at her.

“At least take a lantern, miss,” Randall said so quietly the duke wouldn’t hear.

“No, thank you, Randall,” she replied loudly. She glanced up at the duke, who stood at the railing glaring at her. “I know my way around this estate better than anyone . . . even the duke.”

Chapter 5

“When you are duke, every tenant is your responsibility.”

The sound of his father’s voice echoed in his ears. Colin knew she’d aimed her barb directly at him for being gone so long. She dared to imply that she knew the land better than he did. He’d raced over the countryside as a child. He knew the dips and peaks in the land, where the rabbit holes were and the fox dens.

Staring at the closed door, he realized that she had walked out the door without a candle or escort. “Randall, follow her home.”

“She told me not to, Your Grace.” Randall looked down at the marble floor.

The man was afraid of the woman. Dammit. He didn’t want to follow her but it was his duty. He winced slightly as he walked down the steps.

“Open the door, Randall,” he demanded.

“You’re going out, sir?”

“Yes. You should have insisted she take a footman with her,” Colin chided. “There are wild animals out there.” Not to mention tenants he didn’t even know any longer. Any one of them might try to harm her.

“I’m sorry, Your Grace. It will never happen again.”

Colin breathed in the fragrant June air. He could just make out her yellow muslin as she walked along the tree line. Foolish woman didn’t know enough to stay away from the trees where the animals might be hiding.

Not wanting to get into another argument with her, he trailed behind her. The full moon cast a white light on her golden hair. Her full hips swayed under her skirts suddenly spreading lurid thoughts into his head. With her fire, he could only imagine what she would be like in bed. Lusty. Wanton.

Christ. What the bloody hell was wrong with him? He didn’t desire the termagant. He wanted her off his property. He wanted her and the memories she brought gone.

Or did he just want the temptation she wrought removed?

“I know you’re back there but I do wonder why.”

“Until you leave my property, you are my responsibility.”

“No, I am no one’s care. I am nothing, just a poor woman with no home. I am certainly not your burden.”

Guilt sliced into him, but he pushed the feeling down. He walked a few steps behind her as the scent of lavender filled the air. He knew it came from her. The scent had swirled around him during his rage in the hall. She was as she’d said, just a poor woman and now he was taking her home away from her.

But he would not give in to the guilt. He’d had enough regrets for his actions over the past eight years. “I will speak with the Earl of Hartsfield. He seems to have great respect for his wise women. I am certain he would love to have another.”

“Stupid man,” she mumbled under her breath.

“Excuse me?”