Two Lady Scoundrels and a Duke - Tessa Candle Page 0,23

snorted with disdain. “I had no idea he had been bribed. I merely thought he had bad taste.”

“You wound me. But as your dog likes me so well, you will never be rid of me now.”

A gasp sounded from the ball of skirts, but she said nothing. His heart glowed warmer. There was a chance. He would do everything in his power to woo her. Only he had to get them out of this tree.

At that moment Dog returned, a stout manservant following him.

“Your grace!” The man’s lip twitched, but to Foxleigh’s amazement he managed to avoid collapsing in a fit of laughter. He cleared his throat. “May I be of assistance?”

“What do you suppose? Yes, you can ruddy well be of assistance! Go find a ladder, for God’s sake!”

When they made it down safely, Foxleigh’s pride was mortified by the realization that they had not been more than eight feet from the ground. It had seemed higher. The servant made no comment, but Foxleigh was sure the whole lot of them would have a merry laugh at his expense once the story got around, as it certainly would.

But he did not care. It was worth it. He smoothed a tendril of Katherine’s hair back and fixed her eyes in his gaze. Her skin was flushed, and though worry clouded her eyes, traces of a smile tugged at her lips. How he wished to kiss that smile. “Before you think about running away again, Kat, you must accompany me back to the cottage to see what I have done. I hope you will approve. But even if you do not, please grant me a fair hearing. I am not the man you thought me to be.”

She looked miserable and cast her eyes downward. “I know you are not. Can you not see how ashamed I am to have taken the word of that witch without even speaking to you?”

He tilted her chin up. “You have nothing to be ashamed of.”

“Oh, but I do.”

“Come, come! Let us get you back to the cottage and warmed up. I have brought plenty of wood for a proper fire. Come along!” He reached out a bended arm for her to take. Would she permit this liberty? Why not? He had already seen her bottom-up in a tree, after all.

“Very well.” She shrugged and took his arm. “I did promise you another bump on the head.”

Foxleigh leaned in and whispered in her ear. “I am looking forward to it.”

He spied Marie’s carriage waiting in the lane. Foxleigh scowled. Not letting go of Katherine’s arm, he turned to the man servant. “Mills. There is a woman out near the henhouse—just follow this path. Kindly escort her back to her equipage here and send her on her way. She is not to be received again.” His beloved should nevermore be subjected to Marie’s odious company. If he had his way, Katherine would quit this place with him immediately. He ushered her forward eagerly. He could not wait to show her his surprise.

Chapter 15 License and Licentiousness

Katherine’s emotions were still all in a turmoil, though at least her heart was no longer pounding. Before they even reached the door of her house the ambrosial scent of roasting meat and fresh bread greeted her nostrils. It smelled marvelous! It had been such a long time since she had even sniffed anything this good that she thought she might be dreaming.

But if she was, then she didn’t care. Foxleigh was beside her, smelling even better than whatever was cooking inside, and she and Dog were about to have a feast. If it was a dream, she did not wish to awake from it.

As they stepped through the door, a roaring red fire in the grate cheered her, and her skin stung with the sudden warmth. She was sad to have Foxleigh withdraw his arm, although decorum demanded it. Decorum! She could imagine that servant Mills making up vile ditties and describing the sight of her bottom suspended in a tree for the amusement of all the servants. Arse Poetica. Perfect.

And yet, what was a little humiliation before the help? She could forgive the whole lot of them, if only they would bring her a few slices of that roast, and a pot of butter to spread on that crusty bread.

Foxleigh gestured for her to sit down and supplied her with a glass of wine. A real glass, not a rough clay tumbler. Fine imported crystal! She swirled the ruby liquid