My Darling Duke (The Sinful Wallflowers Book 1)

She marched over to him. “You threw a book at me, Your Grace.” “At the door, Miss Danvers. At the door. I was quite confident it would not hit you or else I would not have risked it. Now stop shooting daggers at me with your eyes.”

Mr. Dawson’s eyes were watchful, curious with a hint of slyness. Kitty glanced at Ophelia and saw the message in her golden gaze. Be daring. Be bold. And be more wicked. So she did.

“I’ll sing for you,” she offered. “Dear God, no, I am already in enough agony.”

Then he turned abruptly away and said harshly, “I am the villain of this piece, Miss Danvers. You should do well to remember it.”

“A couple of hours ago, she left this room with such haste, it was as if the devil chased her. There were many tears on her face. And in her eyes, I have never witnessed such heartbreak.”

“Perhaps you are merely addled,” he mused. “I’ve heard tell lunatics tend to grin a lot.” Kitty spluttered, and she mockingly punched his arm.

“I haven’t had time to dream.” “Then dream for me now,” he murmured.

“The last ball I attended and showed my face at, at least nine ladies fainted. I believe I can still hear their shrieks of horror.” How had she not uncovered that bit of gossip in her research on the duke? She lifted a shoulder in an inelegant shrug. “That must have been some time ago.” “Seven years if I recall correctly.” “I must say I know no one

“My fiancée is fine as she is, Cousin Miranda,” he replied to her silent glare. “My dear boy—” “And I will not take kindly to anyone who implies otherwise,” he murmured coolly.