Page 41 of The Big Bad Duke

Caroline blinked. “A trip?”

“It’s bound to give us a renewed zest for life,” Dane said with a slight smile. “Especially traveling with a two-year-old.”

Despite everything, Caroline found herself laughing at the thought of spending hours in a carriage with Jane, stopping every time she saw a cow. “Go where?”

Dane let go of her and walked to the dresser, picking up an envelope she hadn’t noticed before.

“This is a letter from William. I read it without you because I wanted to know whether it contained good news or bad before sharing it with you.”

Warmth filled Caroline’s chest. “Can I assume the news is good then?”

“Yes,” Dane replied, turning the letter over in his hands. “Though it’s short and cryptic, I assume that’s because they don’t want it traced back to them. He does mention that he and Victoria have reached their destination and successfully settled down in France. He sent a hidden message, which I believe contains their coordinates, and we can try to decipher it together tonight.”

Caroline’s eyes widened. “Are you suggesting we go pay them a visit?”

Dane shrugged, but she noticed the mischievous gleam in his eyes. “What do you say?”

Caroline’s lips curved into a genuine smile. “I say yes.”

Chapter 7

Leila stared at the bank draft with an unseeing gaze when a man entered her sitting room without ceremony.

He had a straight, aristocratic nose, lance-straight posture, and dark hair that fell to his shoulders in perfectly groomed waves. His parchment-white skin was unblemished, save for a tiny scar that traced a thin white line along his neck and disappeared behind his ear.

He carefully removed his gloves and tossed them onto the table beside Leila, revealing pale, soft, impeccably maintained hands. These were not the hands of a man who engaged in manual labor; they belonged to someone accustomed to commanding others to do his bidding.

“I saw the Kensingtons’ carriage here,” he said without preamble, his voice cultured and smooth. “What did they want?”

“It was the duchess. She gave me a bank draft for my charitable endeavors.” She tried to keep the disgust from her voice as she said the last two words. She wasn’t sure she succeeded, but her companion didn’t seem to notice or care. She handed him the bank draft, her fingers barely brushing his as she did so.

He examined the document, his brow furrowing. “She’s worth hundreds of thousands. She could have been more generous.”

“She patronizes the orphanage and a women’s shelter. She’s giving more than enough,” Leila replied, though she wasn’t sure why she felt compelled to defend Caroline’s generosity.

“Yes, but not for our purposes.” His tone was dismissive. “You’d better make sure to collect much more than this.”

“I’m already doing a lot.”

“And I’ve yet to see the fruits of your labor.” His voice took on a sharp edge that made Leila’s skin crawl. “Explain. What’s the holdup with Wolverstone?”

Leila straightened her shoulders. “He’s the leader of The Shadows—a dangerous secret society by your own admission. He’s not some naive chap. He’s very careful.”

“Well, I know that,” the man said with an air of condescension. “That’s precisely why your particular skill set had to be employed.”

Ah yes. Her particular skill set. She was supposed to seduce him. “And still, it’s not an easy job. Even for me.”

“Make it easy.” The words were clipped. “Seduce the damn duke and murder him in his sleep.” He paused, then added with almost playful cruelty, “Or do it in the midst of tupping. At least give the man one last moment of bliss.”

Leila recoiled at his casual suggestion, horrified at how comfortable he felt commanding what she did with her body. Not that she was surprised.

“I tried to,” she confessed. “But I failed. I’ve tried a few different approaches and failed every time. I can’t keep showing up at his house or seeking him out without making him suspicious—if he isn’t already.”

“Do. Better.” The words were calm. Even. Yet more terrifying than if he had shouted.

Leila swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry.

“If I keep appearing at social events alone, people will start becoming suspicious. I am certain some already are, including the duke.”