To Desire a Wicked Duke (Courtship Wars)

“You handled him well. I am all admiration. Where did you learn that trick of incapacitating a man?”

“From my steward, Gandy. There are some unsavory characters in the racing world, and Gandy wanted me to be prepared should I encounter any.”

“I thought Katharine and Skye were the only gently bred females who were skilled in self-defense. I taught Kate that move myself.”

When that brought no response, Ash continued casually. “I should thank you. Your altercation spiced up my evening and saved me from excruciating boredom.”

His admission seemed to gain her attention for a moment, or at least she paused to glance at him. “Why did you even hold a ball if you are so jaded by them?”

“You know why. Because Katharine asked it of me.”

“And you can never refuse her?”

“Oh, I regularly refuse her, but in this instance, I was doing my duty as her elder brother. She claimed she was finally ready to look for a husband, much to my surprise.”

“It surprised me also,” Maura allowed, resuming her pacing.

Frankly, it had startled Ash two weeks ago when Katharine suddenly announced her desire to find a husband and requested a ball to aid

her search for eligible candidates.

But he was not interested in his sister’s matrimonial prospects just now. Instead, he wanted to know what had led to her closest friend’s confrontation with one of his noble guests. Most particularly, why Deering would assume that Maura Collyer’s charms were for sale.…