Duke of Daring (Lords of Scandal 1)

“By the way, a letter also came for you this morning.” Mary pointed toward the secretary. “It has the Abernath crest upon it.”

“You know the Abernaths?” Minnie put her thoughts of Tag aside as she crossed the room to her cousin.

“Of course.” Mary frowned. “The Countess of Abernath regularly hosts large social events. During my two seasons, ladies prayed for an invitation, though mothers of eligible girls often refused them.”

“Why?” Minnie leaned forward her hands clasped.

Mary bent forward as well, her voice dropping. “The rules were somehow different at the Abernaths. People were less…inhibited.”

Minnie sat back. “Somehow, that makes sense.”

“Do you know her? Is that an invitation to her home?” Mary’s eyes widened. “Oh Minnie, don’t go.”

Minnie crossed the room and tore open the note. Sure enough, it was an invitation from the hostess. She dropped the note to the desk. “Of course she promised me that all sorts of eligible bachelors would be in attendance. Dangling a carrot in front of my face.”

The door creaked open. “Miss Chase.” Their butler stepped into the room. “The Duke of Darlington is here to see you.”

“See him in.” She swallowed, forgetting all about the countess or the party as she moved toward the door.

“No need,” Tag’s deep voice called. “I’m already here.”

Her heart jumped up into her throat. “Your Grace,” she said, her voice breathy and she raised a hand to her throat to calm her jittery nerves.

“Miss Chase,” he replied, inclining his head as he stared at her, his back stiff and his mouth pinched into a frown.

“Is everything all right?” She took a step closer, her voice dropping. Something was off. There was no warmth in his gaze today, the lines of his face hard. “Have you heard from Lord Effington?”

He shook his head. “I have not.” He pulled at his jacket, smoothing the fabric over his massive chest. “But I did receive word from the Countess of Abernath.”

That made her pause. “Did she invite you to her party too?”

“Party?” he asked, his brow furrowing.

She spun about and reached for the invitation. “Yes. I just received this.” She picked up the letter and brought it to Tag.

He scanned the contents. “And I suppose you want me to come with you?”

Now she knew something was amiss. Normally, he was eager to attend social events with her, claim

ing it was his duty to do so. “Why would you come with me? We’ve already decided we shouldn’t be seen together anymore. I’m not sure why you’re even here.”

He carefully folded the note, handing it back to her. “I’m here because of the countess’s message.”

Now she was truly confused. “What message?”

He tugged at his coat again, his face pulling into severe lines. “As if you don’t know.”

Minnie cocked her head to one side, looking at him as she tried to discern what they were even discussing. “I met the Countess of Abernath for the first time last night and suddenly an invitation shows up at my door along with an angry duke. You’re going to have to explain this to me because I am thoroughly perplexed.”

He gave his head a stiff shake. “I’m not playing your game any longer, Minerva. Tell me what you and the countess are plotting.”

His accusation made her angry. “You think that I am plotting something with her?” Her shoulders straightened. “She’s the very woman who nearly destroyed Emily. Remember my cousin who is now missing. Are you insinuating that I had something to do with her disappearance as well?”

His face paled. Just a little. “I do remember that now. She told Emily about the club.”

“She did. And she told me that you broke her heart.” Minnie stepped closer. “I don’t know what happened between the two of you, and honestly, it’s none of my business.”

His lips pressed into a hard line. “You’re right. My past isn’t your concern.”