The Duchess Deal

And after that moment of transcendent bliss, when she brushed the damp hair from her brow and smiled up at her husband in satisfaction, Emma couldn’t have thought him any more perfect.

This? This is Trevor.”

The boy jabbed his elbow in Ash’s side. “Ahem.”

Ash rolled his eyes. “Right. This is the Menace.”

The Menace? Oh, Emma couldn’t wait to hear this story.

“I’m the Monster of Mayfair’s associate,” the boy said. “Apprentice, if you will. His protégé.”

What with them humping like rabbits all over the house.”

“Not only the house,” a groom said. “The mews, as well.”

Mary hushed them. “We’re not supposed to let on that we’ve noticed.”

“Oh, come on. How could we not?”

Four quilts are fine, thank you. Can you . . . I’m feeling a bit fragile right now. It would mean a great deal if you’d hold me. You know, with your arms.”

Brilliant, Emma. As if he might have tried to hold her with his knees or eyelids without those instructions.

Was that speech meant to put me off?” Her voice was breathless. “Because if so, I must tell you it backfired.”

And now I must ask you to leave. I need to be getting home.”

“We can accomplish both those things at once. I’ll take you home. My carriage is just outside.”

“Thank you, I prefer to walk.”

“More convenient still. My feet are even closer than the carriage.”

Her gown was an eye-stabbing monstrosity of pearls, lace, brilliants, and beads.

Good Lord. He wasn’t accustomed to being in the same room with something even more repulsive than his own appearance.

She was a great improvement on the gown.

Complexion: cream. Lips: rose petals. Lashes: sable.

Backbone: steel.

Thanks, Dad. This book’s for you.

Please don’t read chapters 7, 9, 11, 17, 19, 21, or 28

She wiped the droplets from her face. “Perhaps I will use Ash, after all. It’s growing on me. So very flexible, you know. Horse’s Ash . . . Jack-Ash . . . Ash-hole. ”